United Way of Lewis County Worthy of Support

With stretched federal, state, county and city budgets, paying for social services is becoming more difficult.

With high unemployment rates, specifically here in Lewis County, more and more people are having a hard time paying the bills, and obtaining the most basic of needs: food, clothing and shelter.

 

We’re seeing more people in need, while at the same time a marked drop in the level of funding for those social services.

As our government emerges from the Great Recession, and continues to struggle with revenues and overspending, it is clear if we are to take care of the less fortunate, it is going to have to come from community support. The times of easy entitlement spending, of the government taking care of those living without basic needs, is ebbing.

Fortunately here in Lewis County, those of us that have employment, that are able to pay the bills, have an easy way to help out.

The United Way of Lewis County on Wednesday kicked off its annual fundraising campaign. The umbrella agency has a goal of raising $600,000, the same amount raised last year. Some leaders within the United Way are asking for the community to reach a bit deeper, and come up with 110 percent of the goal.

United Way of Lewis County works for several reasons.

First, it is effective. A group of community leaders gather to pore over applications from various help agencies. Their mandate is to deliver the money to those agencies that are most effective in addressing core needs such as homelessness and lack of shelter and/or food. The vetting process makes sure those agencies that do receive funding, are appropriate and take care of real problems in a cost effective manner.

Secondly, giving to the United Way of Lewis County is extremely easy. If your company is a partner with United Way (if not, we urge business owners to consider signing up with the agency), an employee simply has to agree to allow a few dollars to be pulled out of each paycheck or perhaps once a month. The few dollars over the year adds up to a significant amount, yet the employee really doesn’t suffer from having to make a one-time major donation. In addition, many businesses match the money given by their employees.

Finally, under the most capable direction of United Way of Lewis County Executive Director Debbie Campbell, the administrative costs are held to a minimum. Maximum dollars donated make it directly to the help agencies.

In the coming months, volunteers from the United Way of Lewis County will be contacting area businesses and employees. We urge all to give what they can, be it monetary donations, or, if that is not affordable, by giving of your time.

Our community is suffering. It is time for those of us with a little extra to give.