United Way asks community for help

There are many businesses and organizations that are forced to cut back on workers and resources during a recession, but many non-profits and other agencies thrive when people are out of work and need a little extra help.

The United Way of Rockingham County currently funds 19 partner agencies that are facing some of the biggest funding needs seen in decades. Campaign Chair Nelson Cole said this is precisely why the employed people of Rockingham County need to step up and help their neighbors.

“These agencies have served over 30,000 people in Rockingham County over the past year…,” he said. “It’s not somebody bringing in a big donation; it’s everybody contributing to make it happen. When that tornado happened in Stoneville and Mayodan, it affected a lot of people. But people stepped up and came out to help resolve those issues. We’ve got an economic tornado right now that isn’t as visible.”

Nelson said the county has major needs with one out of every two kids on free or reduced lunch in public schools and one in every five families at a crossroads not knowing where they might stay the next month. He said although the county’s reported unemployment numbers hover around 11 percent, they’re closer to 17 percent with the amount of workforce giving up or not actively seeking employment.

“These are numbers we were looking at in the Great Depression,” he said. “We’ve got local people trying to help local people, and that’s who we’ve got to depend on to make this happen. It’s not going to be the corporations with the campaigns or the people who are better off economically – it’s everybody participating.”

Cole estimates if every employed individual throughout the county contributed just $1 per week, United Way would have more than $2 million for its campaign. He said many complaints he hears about charities or other organizations is that money is taken out of the county. According to Cole, 98 percent of funds collected from the United Way stays in Rockingham County and is used to help its citizens.

Executive Director Rick Hurley said the campaign is doing well so far, but it is only at 60 percent of this year’s $1 million goal. He said if all campaigns that have already run but not yet reported raise the same as the last campaign, United Way will only raise between 80 and 83 percent of its goal.

“We’ve still got some big gifts out, but we will need some help to reach 100 percent of our goal,” he said. “We’re going to run the campaign through February and do everything we can to reach that goal. I know we will probably raise more than we did last year, but we won’t know how far we are going toward goal until we get the numbers in.”

The United Way funds a variety of agencies that provide everything from rescue operations to basic human needs, recreation and education. Meals on Wheels of Aging, Disability and Transit Services is a partner agency as well as American Red Cross, all three county rescue squads and Hospice of Rockingham County.

One of United Way’s newest partner agencies used to be a grantee. Cathy DeMason, director of Rockingham County Student Health Centers, said becoming a partner agency back in May was an exciting opportunity for the organization.

“United Way has been a tremendous supporter of the student health centers by giving us funding every year that helps offset the caring of students that have no insurance or who are underinsured,” she said. “We do bill for services provided, but their generosity helps us make sure we can continue taking care of everybody, regardless of their ability to pay. That’s what we do.”

She said the center’s association with being a United Way partner agency assists in the application of other grants and funding opportunities.

“I think it says something if you are a United Way agency,” she said. “I think people know that you’ve been through a process in your community and in your county, and they know you’re doing work that’s valuable. You have outcomes you can produce that show what you do is worthwhile and beneficial to your community.”

Cheryl Albrecht, director of the Senior Center at the Madison/Mayodan Recreation Center, said a large percentage of United Way dollars they receive goes toward providing funding for Senior Center events and the costs of operating the center during business hours. She said in the past, she’s always tried to increase her United Way giving personally through her drive at work.

“I look and think if I can swing another $2.50 or $3 here and how it will affect my budget,” she said. “It’s a small donation added to what I already give, but it’s still giving more. If people in Rockingham County gave a little bit more or just gave period, we wouldn’t have some of the hardships we do within the county.”

Many people ask why they should give to the United Way instead of giving directly to the agency they want to support. Hurley said the agency acts as quality control for every organization on its distribution list.

“We’re your assurance that the dollars you give are doing the best job possible out in the community,” he said. “It’s a strategic approach versus the shotgun approach.”

Agencies are required to send in regular reports detailing how they’ve been using the money and where they are on program outcomes. Hurley said it’s not just about how efficiently they spend the money or how many people go through the programs. He said they must have measurable benefits.

The United Way will extend its giving program into February. To donate or find out additional information, call (336) 342-7768. Secure donations can also be made online at www.urockingham.org.