Opinion

Discussion

September 16, 2012

Support our United Way

The Daily Citizen

The approach of fall brings many changes, but one thing that occurs this time of year hasn’t changed in decades — the kickoff of the United Way of Northwest Georgia’s latest campaign to raise funds.

This past week the campaign committee announced a goal of $3.35 million. That’s quite a lofty goal, especially in these difficult economic times in a region suffering the state’s highest unemployment rate.

What sets United Way apart from many other charities is that the agency works as a “clearing house” for distributing donations to other local entities, whether that be something as Dalton-centric as Friendship House or the local extension of Meals on Wheels.

In fact there are 20 agencies in Whitfield and Murray counties that receive funding from the local United Way, many of which may affect you or someone you know.

Know someone who is dealing with a relative who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease? Chances are the caretaker gets assistance from RossWoods Adult Day Services or from the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, both recipients of United Way funding.

Have children in either Boy or Girl Scouts? Both are member agencies.

Others include such diverse organizations that range from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Georgia Mountains to Looper Speech and Hearing Center.

Giving to the United Way isn’t diffcult, many workers in the region have a couple of dollars taken from their paychecks throughout the year while others make a one-time donation. Just ask your employer about payroll deductions.

But raising $3.35 million? It can be done. Last year’s United Way campaign raised $3.25 million from 8,474 donors, well above what the United Way raised in some larger Georgia communities.

Kevin Sanders, chairman of the United Way’s campaign committee, said at the campaign kickoff banquet last Tuesday that Athens raised $2.3 million, Gainesville raised $1.9 million and Albany raised just $1.2 million.

Those three may be bigger cities, but Metro Dalton’s support of United Way shows a much bigger sense of community.

 

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