The Greenville News: Help people in our community

Originally published September 21, 2011 in The Greenville News (subscription required)

United Way campaigns got off to a great start last week in Greenville and Pickens counties, and that’s good news to people who rely on the services provided by the many agencies funded by these campaigns.

Unemployment remains stubbornly high in our area and human service agencies consistently report they are seeing more people seeking all types of help. Some of their new clients were former and faithful donors.

Compared to most other parts of South Carolina, our region is blessed. Unemployment has been in double-digits for the entire state of South Carolina for all but a few months of the past three years. Our state has one maintained one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

Greenville and Pickens counties have fared better in comparison to much of the state, but the unemployment rate still approaches double digits. Add in the tens of thousands of people who have seen their paychecks reduced or who have settled for part-time work to make ends meet, and it becomes clear that many of our neighbors need help.

The United Way of Greenville County has set what truly is a “stretch” goal for the 2011 campaign. Coming after a record year when the campaign brought in $14.7 million, Greenville’s United Way set a goal of $15 million. That, indeed, is a huge stretch — and it’s one that speaks well of the vigorous effort behind this year’s campaign and the realization of the deep needs in our community.

“With last year’s record-setting campaign, we saw first-hand how this community’s generosity can lift up the lives of our fellow citizens,” Annette Allen, Greenville campaign chair and vice president and general manager of Fluor Corporation, said last week at the annual kickoff celebration. “Unfortunately, there is still much work to be done. That’s why we’re once again compelled to dig deep, rally together as a caring community and lend a hand to those in need with a record campaign of $15 million.”

Her company, Fluor, was one of the 29 “Pacesetter” companies that conducted early United Way campaigns and have set a strong pace for everyone else over the next six weeks. Those 29 companies — that run from Agilysys to WYFF 4, from Allen Tate Realtors to Thomas McAfee Funeral Home —have already raised more than $3.8 million of Greenville’s $15 million goal. Fluor Corporation has the distinction of becoming the first institution to surpass the $1 million-mark for employee giving from Fluor and AMECO employees. The campaign raised $1.5 million with the corporate match gift, according to the United Way.

The money raised will go for worthy programs that address serious needs in our community. As Allen said last week, there are more people who “need just some of the basic care, things that we take for granted — food on the table, being able to go to the doctor when you have a health issue.” These are compelling reasons to support the United Way.

Money raised in Greenville’s campaign will help fund 87 local programs that work to nurture children, help and encourage youth success, strengthen families and neighborhoods, improve our community’s health, and assist people in times of crisis.

The Greenville United Way has a second key strategy of eliminating future needs through what’s called a “Cycle of Success.” This approach targets three priority issues: school readiness for young children, high school graduation for youth, and financial stability for individuals and families.

Pickens County United Way kicked off its campaign last week with what campaign officials called an “attainable” goal. They are trying to raise $850,000 while last year’s campaign brought in $815,000. David Conrad, the Pickens campaign chair, said there are many people out of work who need assistance.

The Pickens County United Way also has gotten some good news that should be reassuring to its contributors. It has been named by United Way Worldwide as the small United Way in the nation that best implements the business model for community impact, according to a Greenville News story.

The agencies and programs supported by local United Way organizations help feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, provide medical care and counseling to the poor, and give disadvantaged children a better opportunity to succeed in life. They address real needs of real people right here in our own community. The United Way needs your help this year so it can help more people who are our neighbors in need.