Mike Belbeck, Campaign Chair
The United Way of Anderson County (UWAC) reports they are 98% of the $1.4 million goal for this year's annual campaign.
With 34 community non-profit organizations counting on these funds to help with their programs and services, United Way is asking the community and businesses who have not given yet to make a contribution, thereby making lasting change in the community.
For the last two years, we have seen a steady 9% unemployment rate. This means many of our agencies who provide subsistence benefits in areas such as electric and water are being saturated with calls for help.
A good example of this would be a gentleman who came into the United Way office just after the first of the year. "I was wondering if you could help," he asked. "I live here in town and am a union painter. I'm down to working one day a week because of lack of work. I've never had to do this before, but can you help me with paying the heating bill?" We referred him to our four go-to agencies that are prepared to help in these circumstances. And as we named them off, he said, "I've been to all of those and every one is out of money and can't help". We called those agencies and confirmed they indeed had exhausted all funds for this type of help. He left with no place left to turn. It's extremely hard to tell someone who is going to be without heat that there are no funds.
Campaign funds allow United Way and their partner agencies to help build a strong and healthy community in Oak Ridge and the surrounding area. Small gifts yield big rewards. Just $1 per week, $52 per year, provides 32 hours of after school programming for girls in Clinton with Girls Inc. For $5 per week, $250 per year, 1 child with Epilepsy can attend camp for a week. Giving $20 per week, $1,000 per year, 11 victims of recent sexual assault crimes will be served by Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Center for Sexual Assault. Valuable programs changing lives, giving hope and making a difference to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers in an area where we work, play or live. Our community.
We live and work in an incredibly generous community. People know that the United Way is a good place to invest money to help our fellow neighbors get back on their feet. On behalf of United Way, I encourage each of you to consider a donation to help those who need it the most.
Together, as we help others, we are working towards a common goal for improving the environmental, economic, safety, or social well-being of the people and community around us.
