New name, same mission. What was known as United Way of Barton County has changed is now United Way of Central Kansas.

This move, said Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith, more accurately represents what the organization has become. Twelve of the 19 member agencies serve Pawnee County, but United Way had not been present there.

From now on, United Way will be more involved in fund raising and promoting its agencies in Pawnee County, and helping Pawnee County residents become more aware of the services available through United Way agencies.

However, "though the name has changed the level of service provided to Barton County residents will not be affected," Smith said.

With the theme "Live United," the goal for the 2011 campaign is $225,000, down from $250,000 last year, said Steve Kummer, board treasurer. Although the drive has come up short of its goal in the last couple years, enough has been raised to fund the agencies.

UWBC usually allocates about $200,000 for entities it helps, then has to fund its budget.

The ultimate goal of United Way, Smith said, is to help the agencies it serves so they can, in turn, help those in need. By expanding the pool of potential donors to include Pawnee County, it will be easier for UWCK to make its target.

"It was really a no-brainer," said Courtland Holman, director of the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Pawnee County Economic Development Commission. "We all cross borders (doing business in other communities). We basically have to work together."

Until now, United Way has been servicing Pawnee County residents without being a part of the organization, Holman said. "This only makes sense."

"As the communication and development coordinator of a local social service agency that serves Barton and Pawnee counties, I am so delighted that our local United Way is expanding to include Pawnee County," said Rebecca Ford with Catholic Social Services. "We have been serving this community for many years but now with this expansion Catholic Social Service and United Way will have a stronger voice which in turn contributes to a more sound and vibrant community."

Ford said CSS’s services will remain the same. "We continue to provide social services to all faiths and walk of life but we will be able to help promote the mission of Catholic Social Service and the United Way in Pawnee County together through this expansion."

Larned State Hospital has signed on as a payroll participant so that the employees can make contributions through payroll deduction. Julie Bugner-Smith looks forward to growing this relationship and adding additional businesses, individuals, and service clubs from Pawnee County.

The agencies involved in Pawnee County are Big Brothers Big Sisters, Eldercare, Golden Belt Home and Hospice, Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, Boy and Girl Scouts, Family Crisis Center, and Catholic Social Services, Salvation Army, and the Barton County Youth care and Young Men’s Organization.

"We are at 96 percent of our goal for this campaign, thanks to the payroll contributors, residents and the community overall that helped United Way," Smith said. "With 99 percent staying in our community, it is a win-win situation for everyone."

They will be ending the campaign within the next couple of weeks.