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United Way Launches 2004 Campaign
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| Jonelle Thompson, Up & Coming Weekly, Aug. 25, 2004 |
August 25, 2004 |
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From a small charity organization to the nation's leading community solutions provider, United Way has a nearly 120 year-long tradition of "improving people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities." With the help of civic partners such as schools, government officials, businesses, community development corporations and faith institutions, United Way has made a recognizable impact on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and cities throughout the country.
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Through United Way's initiatives, many communities have been enhanced through results such as better academic performance, better access to health insurance, reduction in domestic violence incidences, reduction in adult illiteracy, reduction in homelessness, a lower crime rate and a general enhancement of the quality of life for millions of people. As successful as United Way has been, the mission still continues, and for United Way of Cumberland County, that mission kicks off on Thursday, September 2 when the organization launches its annual fundraising campaign.
According to Rosimar Melendez, marketing and communications director for United Way of Cumberland County, a needs assessment conducted by United Way each year surveys local residents about their concerns within the community. When the results of the needs assessment are analyzed, United Way then determines its "focus areas." Focus areas are certain aspects of the community that require the most aid and attention, and the dollars and effort gleaned from the campaign will go to address them.
George Quigley, chairman of the board for United Way, said that focusing on these areas means optimizing investment in the city. Cumberland County's focus areas are meeting basic needs such as food, shelter and medical care; supporting children and youth through character development programs, educational activities and recreational opportunities; and strengthening families and neighborhoods through adult literacy and family outreach programs. The agency works to promote health and healing and to foster independence in the elderly and disabled as well. A new focus area to address family violence and abuse of children and adults was added to the list this year.
In the annual campaign, United Way works with local companies and businesses to sponsor fund drives that will benefit the programs under the organization's umbrella. The United Way appoints a campaign cabinet to steer the drive. Loaned executives, who are volunteers from the participating businesses, work as the liasons between United Way and the companies. Individuals may also contact United Way directly to find out how they can help.
"This year, United Way's goal is to make a greater impact in the community by raising funds to benefit our six focus areas," said Adrienne Reader, United Way's vice-president of resource development. All money raised will benefit a number of Cumberland County civic programs such as the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Cumberland County Council on Older Adults, Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and the YMCA.
"The ideal outcome of the campaign would be for United Way to be able to have enough support from the community to start addressing our major needs," said Bill Bowman, campaign chairman and Up & Coming Weekly publisher. "We need to make people aware of and comfortable with the fact that United Way is out there helping to enhance the quality of life in our community. Everyone is impacted in some way, shape or form by what United Way does."
United Way's Day of Caring will be held on September 15. The event urges residents to donate volunteer hours, and it identifies community projects that volunteers may participate in, such as restoring houses, renovating parks, building wheelchair ramps, and preparing and delivering meals to the homebound. Plus, the food collected from the food drive will be distributed to Second Harvest food bank that day.
The United Way campaign officially begins with a luncheon on September 2 at 12-1:30 p.m at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. Anyone interested in attending the luncheon must RSVP by August 25. Tickets are $10 per person. At the event, the campaign officials, focus areas, goals and United Way's new CEO Robert Hines will be formally introduced. "It feels great to be starting a campaign as the new CEO," Hines remarked. "My vision is to get out into the community and stress impact so people can see their hard-earned money at work 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and years down the road."
For more information on how you can help, stop by United Way's offices at 222 Maiden Lane, call 483-1179 or visit www.unitedway-cc.org.
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©Up & Coming Magazine 2009
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Louise Hopkins |
Aug, 30 2004 |
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Great article and great PR for a very worthwhile effort! -- Whoever wrote the article however, needs to double check name spellings -- that's ADRIAN REEDER!
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