Craig Daily Press

It's been said a measurement of a society lies with its compassion and willingness to help people in need. If so, Craig and the surrounding area rates off the charts.

Moffat County United Way -- a local organization that raises money for area health and human service agencies -- received $380,000 in pledges from residents who wanted to lend financial support. The money was raised during a United Way campaign drive, which ran from September to November.

And, although the total is not a high-water mark for the United Way, it exceeds the group's target goal of $375,000.

"We were delighted," United Way director Corrie Scott said. "We were very pleased with that.

"We have a very, very generous community here. This community is incredibly supportive of what United Way does."

Facts support Scott's compliment: Moffat County ranks in the top 10 for giving, per capita, in the United Way system, according to the organization.

A good portion of the funds raised during the campaign drive, roughly $318,093, will find their way to local groups.

Thirty-one partner agencies, all of which are in Moffat County, will be awarded a total of $265,674.

Another 23 groups, labeled by the United Way as donor designates, will receive $47,419 total.

The difference between the partner agencies and the donor designates, Scott said, is that partner agencies apply for allocations from the United Way. The donor designates did not apply for funds but were cited by donors as organizations to which they preferred their money be given, she added.

The remaining money not allocated to the service groups, about $67,000, was used to pay for expenses such as the fundraiser campaign, insurance, equipment, payroll, training, education and United Way membership, Scott said.

Donors were given the choice of designating what groups their pledges would go to.

Partner agencies receiving funds included: Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association ($40,000), Crisis Support Services ($22,500), Horizons ($20,500), Northwest Colorado Dental Coalition ($20,050) and Human Services Volunteers ($17,350).

Donor designates include the 4-H of Moffat County, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Maybell Ambulance, Salvation Army and Young Life.

Scott said a United Way committee worked diligently and used established criteria in determining what allocations were distributed to the local service groups.

"The allocations committee takes their job very seriously," Scott said. She added that decisions were largely based off "how much service (organizations) provide for the money" and how little of the money is swallowed up in administrative fees.

The committee also earmarks 25 percent of funds acquired for youth services; remaining money is used for health and human services.

Karen Brown, manager of the Community Budget Center, said money given to her organization will put to good use. The budget center is set to receive $5,500.

"All of the money that we get is all for medical needs," Brown said.

"It's always very helpful," she added of the United Way-led push to acquire donations for worthy causes. "It's very nice what the United Way does for the community."

Joshua Roberts can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 210, or jroberts@craigdailypress.com.