SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 ISSUE
United Way Kicks off Campaign and Live United Focus
High Country United Way Executive Director Linda Slade presents Dr. Ray Russell of Ray’s Weather with the first Live United shirt. This shirt will be given to community members exemplifying one or more of the three components of the Live United focus—give, advocate and volunteer. Live United is United Way of America’s focus this year, which will target education, income and health. Photo by Ken KetchieThe High Country United Way announced its 2009-10 campaign goal of $600,000 on Thursday, September 10, at the campaign kickoff at 9:00 a.m. at the Agricultural Conference Center in Boone.
The High Country United Way raised $525,000 during its 2008-2009 campaign, just missing its goal of $625,000, said United Way Executive Director Linda Slade. Due to a struggling economy, the organization lowered the goal by $25,000 this year, she added.
“We feel that this community will stand behind that goal and meet it,” Slade said. “I really think this is a caring community.”
During the kickoff, the organization also introduced this year’s nationwide focus—Live United.
“[Live United] is not just about the United Way,” Slade said. “It’s about the community coming together for the common good.”
Live United has three components, which are give, advocate and volunteer, she added.
“There is so much need in this community, we have to step up to the plate,” Slade said. “The need has increased so rapidly in this area, none of the nonprofits can keep up with it. We’re not just about raising money, we’re about getting it at the root causes of the problem and finding ways to alleviate it in a broader scope.”
Dr. Ray Russell of Ray’s Weather will serve as this year’s campaign chair.
“We felt like Ray has a presence in this community,” Slade said. “A lot of people trust him and, as much as he does for this community, he exemplifies Live United, because it’s about giving back to the community.”
Serving as campaign chair fits in with both his individual and company goals, Russell said.
Dr. Ray Russell of Ray’s Weather sports the t-shirt for the United Way’s nationwide focus this year, Live United: “Because I don’t just wear the shirt, I live it.” Photo by Ken Ketchie
“It’s an honor to be asked to do something that large,” he said. “Ray’s Weather is about providing resources for the community. Even though I have plenty on my plate, it’s too much of an honor and an opportunity [to pass up].”
“I’m excited about working with these folks,” Russell said, adding that they do a great job of being visible and being accountable.
“One of the real advantages of giving to the United Way is you know the money will be well-used,” he said.
“People in the community want to know if their money is really making a difference,” Slade said. “I think the United Way does a good job of this, and we’re going to be working very hard to take it a step up.
“We bring 35 to 45 people together to review every single program we fund, [to] make sure [the money is] going to a well-run program that’s making a difference and is going to be there next year,” Slade said. “We’ve done our homework to make sure the money is going to those things that will really help our community be better.”
Russell has some prior experience in fundraising, he said. “To do this job well, people have to understand what the needs are, what they can do to help and [have] a way to connect those two dots.”
The national goals United Way of America hopes to accomplish by 2018 through its Live United focus are: to reduce by half the number of young people who drop out of high school, reduce by half the number of working families that lack financial stability and to increase by one-third the percentage of healthy young people and adults.
Locally, the focus also targets the same areas of education, income and health. All the money raised by the High Country United Way stays in the area, funding 24 nonprofits in Avery and Watauga counties.
Russell has supported one agency that helps those struggling with income.
“One of the reasons I agreed to [serve as campaign chair] is I have a close association with Hospitality House,” Russell said.
“Hospitality House is one of the largest-supported agencies we have,” Slade said. In addition to providing shelter for the homeless, “it’s also doing a phenomenal job of keeping people in their homes. We strive [to support] those going for the bigger picture.”
The High Country United Way supports the Watauga Chapter of the American Red Cross, Appalachian Senior Companion, Avery County Smart Start, Habitat for Humanity, Blazing Saddles, local Boy Scouts, Casting the Bread Food Pantry, Children’s Council, The Children’s Playhouse, New River Behavioral Healthcare’s Family Solutions, Girl Scouts of WNC, Hospitality House, Hunger & Health Coalition, Mediation & Restorative Justice Center, Mountain Alliance, NAMI’s High Country Chapter, OASIS, Parent to Parent, Sugar Grove Developmental Day School, Volunteer Avery County, WAMY Community Action, Western Youth Network and Yellow Mountain Enterprises.
For more information about the High Country United Way, click to www.highcountryunitedway.org or call 828-265-2111.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
