United Way needs help to reach goal
With only a few weeks left in the 2008-2009 United Way campaign, volunteers and staff are giving it everything they’ve got to reach the $8 million goal.
Area companies, communities and individuals have pledged $7.4 million to date, putting the campaign at 93 percent of goal.
“I am optimistic that our great community will step forward and help us reach this important goal,” said Mark Morris, United Way campaign chair. “The work that United Way and its 70 partner agencies are doing together in our community is critical. We must be able to continue to provide the resources the community needs to help people during this particularly difficult time. Reducing funding to the network of agencies would create a significant void in the human services delivery system.”
Calls to United Way 211, the comprehensive information and referral source for our community, increased by 56 percent from 2007 to 2008. The most common reasons for the more than 40,000 calls were basic necessities such as help with utilities, rent/mortgage payments and food. The situations of the callers are growing more complicated in these challenging times and require more extensive services. For that reason and because of the increasing number of calls, it is absolutely critical that United Way reaches its goal this year.
“Our community is facing challenging economic times, and the generous support we have received for this campaign so far makes an important statement people and businesses in our community are committed to thinking beyond themselves and reaching out to raise up the entire community,” said Cliff Smith, United Way president. “By making this year’s United Way goal, our community will be sending a clear message that we value all the people who live here. I am so proud to live in such a caring and compassionate community.”
“United Way funding is critical as our center strives to meet the growing needs of our community. The number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease continues to increase, making our support to family caregivers even more important,” said Dotty St. Amand, executive director of the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, a United Way partner agency.
“Caregivers are under greater stress with the impact of the tough economy. It is even more important for our center to provide essential support to them, and United Way helps us do just that,” said St. Amand.
“It will take all of us together, giving whatever we can, to make this year’s goal. I challenge individuals and businesses to participate. The success of the United Way campaign is important to the quality of life in our community,” added Morris.
United Way has made its annual fundraising goal for the past 15 years. Last year United Way partner agencies served more than 300,000 families, children, seniors and people in need in our community.
Those wishing to make a contribution are encouraged to call United Way at 239-433-2000 or safely contribute through the Web site at www.unitedwaylee.org.
All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network of partner agencies. United Way partner agencies like Children’s Advocacy Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters and LARC serve a diverse range of needs in our community nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, meeting critical needs such as helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.
The United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades has been “the way the community cares” since it was established in 1957. For more information, please call United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties at 239-433-2000 or visit www.unitedwaylee.org.