By Bill Baker
On Wednesday, February 3, at a press conference, we announced that the goal for the 2009-2010 United Way of Southern West Virginia Campaign had been reached.
The campaign kicked off five months ago in September. Our goal this year was $350,000, $25,000 more than last year.
The Board of Directors increased the goal because requests for assistance were much greater than last year. The economy was poor, unemployment was higher, and families were without food, shelter and medical care.
The only way to solve these problems was to raise the goal.
Everyone knew the task to reach the goal would be difficult considering the state of the economy.
No one in this campaign was discouraged and all accepted the challenge. We knew that if we failed to raise the entire $350,000, the 29 partner agencies would not be able to deliver the services families and individuals needed.
During this campaign, we depended on the media to get our message out and on the generosity of southern West Virginians to contribute.
We also had faith that all of us have compassion, charity and concern for our neighbors. This paid off.
The goal was exceeded and our mission accomplished — families will be fed and housed, medical assistance will be available and families will be protected and clothed.
Credit for this campaign goes to all who opened their hearts and pocket books to make this a successful effort.
On behalf of Vice Campaign Chair Roy Shrewsbury, the United Way Board, Executive Director Margaret O’Neal, the staff, and all campaign volunteers, I express our deep gratitude to you and commend you on taking care of your own.
Sacrifices were made by all who contributed and it was the right thing to do.
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for sacrifices are pleasing to God” Hebrews 13:16.
The United Way Board of Directors deserves credit for seeing the magnitude of the need and raising the goal so more individuals and families could receive assistance.
This was a team effort and by contributing to and/or serving in this campaign, you joined us in showing what can be accomplished by Living UNITED.
President John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” This is the intent of all of us in this campaign.
Thank you, southern West Virginians in Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties who took part in this campaign.
— Bill Baker is executive director of the Jobs Foundation and the chair of the 2009-2010 United Way of Southern West Virginia fundraising campaign.
