Rachel Brown
rachelbrown@daltoncitizen.com
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In a community still reeling from one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, the need for financial and other assistance continues.
“We need more people to give a dollar a day, a dollar a week, a dollar a month,” said Rhett Orr, an agency owner with AllState Insurance and chair for this year’s fundraising campaign of the United Way of Northwest Georgia.
The agency held its annual kickoff Tuesday morning at Ryman Hall and set a goal of $3.6 million. It covers Whitfield and Murray counties and raises money to donate to approximately 20 social service agencies each year. A group of 80 to 100 United Way members select the agencies each year, and 87 cents of every dollar goes directly to help people in the two counties, officials said.
Last year, United Way exceeded its fundraising goal of $2.9 million, raising $3.2 million. A slow economy presents the double challenge of having to serve great needs while trying to raise more money from a community that is already struggling. Ralph Boe, president and CEO of Beaulieu Group, acknowledged the challenge during his keynote address to campaign volunteers on Tuesday.
“We thought this was going to be a year of (economic) recovery,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’re not seeing that recovery.”
One way participating employers encourage giving is allowing their workers to automatically deduct designated amounts of money from their paychecks. About 15,000 individuals contributed to the campaign last year through payroll deductions or other ways of giving, and some 22,335 individuals were connected with community resources through United Way in 2009.
Cassie Dillard, 27, a mother of three who was single until recently, said several United Way agencies helped her achieve her childhood dream of becoming a nurse.
“I don’t think I would have been able to finish college (without help),” she said.
Her children are now 3, almost 5 and 10, and Dillard holds an associate’s degree in nursing from Dalton State College and works two jobs to support her family. She said the child care assistance of Friendship House, Boys and Girls Club and other agencies helped her achieve her educational goals while raising a family.
Dillard is a Dalton native but recently moved to Fort Oglethorpe and holds jobs with Hutcheson Medical Center and Hamilton Home Health.
“I’m pretty much sure that without (the United Way’s) assistance I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.
For more information on how to give, volunteer or receive assistance, visit www.ourunitedway.org or call (706) CAN-HELP.
2009 Investments
Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, $75,000
Respite also known as caregiver relief provided to families to have a much needed break from care giving. Caring Closet helps families each month with incontinent products.
American Red Cross – Dalton Whitfield Chapter, $80,000
Disaster services to victims of house fires, Armed Forces emergency communication, food pantry, disaster training, health and safety training, support for volunteers at Hamilton Medical Center.
American Red Cross — Murray County Chapter, $149,948
Armed Forces emergency communication, shelter, food and clothing for disaster relief, community disaster education, food bank, information and referral, blood services, health and safety courses.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Georgia Mountains, $195,842
Provides children with adult mentors through the Buddy Program in Dalton, Whitfield and Murray school systems. The community-based Big Brothers Big Sisters Program provides one-on-one mentoring. Children waiting for an adult mentor are included in group activities designed especially for them.
Walter E. Boehm Birth Defects Center, $10,609
Provides families with children born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus with physician, nursing and social services.
Boy Scouts, Northwest Georgia Council, $73,000
Provides a quality boy scout mentoring program through den, pack, troop, crew and post meetings to build character, citizenship and personal fitness.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Gordon, Murray and Whitfield Counties, $102,000
After school and summer programs assisting in education, vocational, social, and health and fitness programs.
Carter Hope Center, $100,000
Long-term treatment program for addiction includes food, lodging, counseling, licensed transitional treatment, employment assistance, relapse prevention and family education.
Cross Plains Community Partner, $76,515
Day services to people with developmental disabilities which includes transportation to community activities, assistance to volunteer and be contributing members of the community, and support to find and maintain employment. Cross Plains also provides services within the facility that include work activity, computer lab, art and crafts, and care for basic daily living.
Epilepsy Services, $9,845
Lifestyle counseling, financial medical assistance, community outreach and education on epilepsy.
Family Support Council, $371,132
Intensive school- and home-based services through Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers and School Outreach. Group-based nurturing classes, Kids on the Block, Oak Haven home for teen mothers and their children, child abuse prevention education and training, First Steps, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) to advocate for the child regarding placement, Camp AIM therapeutic camp for child victims of sexual abuse. Camp Tomorrow for at-risk middle-schoolers. Camp Promise for families using the nurturing curriculum. Camp LaPapillon for teen mothers and their children.
4-H Clubs of Murray County, $10,000
Camp scholarships and 4-H activities for participants limited by family income.
Friendship House, $227,888
Quality, affordable child care for working parents, high school and college students.
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, $60,000
Girl Scout mentoring program to build character, leadership, strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.
Looper Speech & Hearing Center, $20,896
Financially assisted services to individuals ranging from infants to the elderly with communicative impairment through speech or hearing services in order to improve their quality of life.
Murray County Developmental Center, $25,215
Services to adults with developmental disabilities including transportation to jobs, involvement in volunteer activities, and community integration and assistance in acquiring daily living skills.
North Georgia Community Action Agency, $241,632
Meals on Wheels (home delivered meals) to homebound elderly in Murray and Whitfield counties.
Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, $291,000
Shelter or alternative placement for victims of family violence, non-residential services for victims, and RESOLV program for batterers.
The Salvation Army, $254,120
Food, clothing, furniture, prescriptions and financial assistance for rent and utilities, education and character development activities, youth summer music camp, Christmas assistance and transitional housing.
Whitfield County-Dalton Day Care Center, $194,127
Nationally accredited and a Center of Distinction agency that provides high-quality child care committed to addressing the diverse needs of the children and families with emphasis on active parental involvement.
