By Bill Baker
It is human nature to be compassionate and concerned for neighbors or individuals in need. If we see someone in need of food, clothing, shelter or medical care, we want to help. If we suspect abuse or neglect in a family, we want to help.
We all know individuals and families that are having difficulty and need assistance. We often say, “I would give to a certain charity, but I am not sure my money will get to the individuals in need or if it will be used properly.”
These are legitimate questions.
That is what is great about giving to The United Way of Southern West Virginia. The United Way, through its 29 partner agencies, delivers efficiently and effectively the assistance you want to fund with your contribution. The United Way assures this by holding partner agencies accountable for delivering the services promised and for using money for the purpose that it was given.
An agency that receives funding from the United Way is first visited by members of the United Way staff and board before the agency is included as a partner agency. Financial records are reviewed, individuals served by the agency are interviewed, and the agency’s history of serving the community is evaluated.
Only after the results of this process satisfy members of the United Way board will an agency be approved to receive funding from the United Way Campaign.
There is another review at the end of each year of funding. Agencies are again visited by staff and United Way Board members. Financial records are reviewed; agency staff and recipients of services are interviewed.
The results of these annual visits are analyzed by the United Way board. Agencies that successfully pass this review will most likely continue to be a funded partner for the next year. Those that did not meet the expectations of the United Way board will be dropped. All funded partners are held accountable for providing the services promised.
The United Way of Southern West Virginia is also audited annually. The agency is held responsible for proper expenditure of funds and for carrying out the mission promised.
The United Way mission is one of funding partner agencies delivering assistance to individuals and families in the counties of Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming. You can count on your contribution to the United Way being used properly and effectively.
Giving to one agency, the United Way of Southern West Virginia, you are helping 29 partner agencies in five counties provide assistance to over 90,000 individuals. Your money gets to the problem, is audited to make sure it is well-spent and everyone is held responsible.
Living UNITED, we are assured our donations are helping the individuals we want to assist. Give to the United Way 2009-10 Campaign, and you can be assured your donation will go to the communities and individuals in southern West Virginia that need assistance.
We need your help more this year than ever. Join Vice Chairman Roy Shrewsbury and me in living UNITED.
— Bill Baker is executive director of the Jobs Foundation and the chair of the 2009-2010 United Way of Southern West Virginia fundraising campaign.
