By Cindy Lavender-Bowe
Executive Director, United Way of the Greenbrier Valley
Over $200,000 Raised!
There are simple things we all need for a good life: basic needs like food and shelter; quality education that leads to a stable job; income that supports a family through retirement, and of course, good health. These are the building blocks for a good life. Lose any one of these and the rest can tumble away.
The United Way of the Greenbrier Valley works to make these things attainable for everyone in our community. This is possible through the hard work and dedication of so many people who call Greenbrier County home. Each year, United Way of the Greenbrier Valley, local businesses, and the local community join forces to raise more than $200,000. One hundred percent of these funds are RAISED HERE; 99 cents of every dollar raised, STAYS here.
This year our goal is $250,000 and we are almost there! Your donations support more than 30 local programs each year. These carefully selected programs must demonstrate their intentions to improve lives in the Greenbrier Valley in measurable and lasting ways. Funding decisions are made by a 10 person committee made up of your friends and neighbors.
Did you know that in 2013-14, your donations helped United Way of the Greenbrier Valley:
• Purchase over $15,000 worth of food for area food banks in White Sulphur Springs, Fairlea/Lewisburg, Williamsburg, Renick, Ronceverte, Alderson, Rainelle/Rupert, and Peterstown.
• Purchase 3,000 books for children enrolled in Greenbrier County’s Head Start Pre K program.
• Fund 100+ scholarships enabling low income children to participate in programs with 4-H, Girl Scouts, Carnegie Kids’ College, GVT’s Youth, Communities in Schools and Tutoring Center.
• Through Northern Greenbrier Latchkey Children’sand PlusTimeprograms, provided 1580 hours of afterschool care for children in Greenbrier County.
• Fund Warming Hands & Hearts; providing emergency utility assistance to families to keep the heat on during winter months. Last year, this program served 300 families in our communities.
• In partnership with Gateway Industries, Homeless, Inc. and area food banks, provided emergency assistance to over 4000 individuals last year.
• Fund services for abused women & children at Family Refuge Center, CASA, and CYAC.
• Fund critical home repairs through Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity.
• In partnership with HospiceCare, we provided families needed end of life care.
• Through partnerships with The Shepherd Center, Pocahontas County Senior Citizens, and Greenbrier Committee on Aging, we helped older adults stay independent as long as possible by funding meals and exercise classes for senior citizens.
We are still $35,000 from our fundraising goal. No gift is too small. Together, your gifts add up to help impact the lives ofchildren and families in a big way. Simply put, these programs can’t happen without support from you.
When we as individuals think outside ourselves, we have the power to facilitate change. When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
For more information about the United Way of Greenbrier Valley visit us atwww.unitedwaygreenbrier.org or call the office at 304-647-3783.