|
Welcome...
...here you'll discover how the United Way of Skagit County is helping
to build strong families and a strong community.
Join In
There are several ways you can take part and help your neighbors
in need...
2008
Campaign
Here you can find out things like:
>How to make a donation
>Where your money goes
|
FACTS ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SKAGIT COUNTY
Through a vast network of volunteers and community service agencies,
United Ways throughout America help meet the health and human-care
needs of millions of people every day. United Way's 135-year history
is built on a proven system of local organizations helping people
in their own communities.
-
The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based
United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated,
and governed by local volunteers.
-
The mission of the United Way is to increase the capacity of
the community to care for local people in need.
-
Through a single community-wide campaign, United Way volunteers
raise funds to support local agency service providers. Nationally,
voluntary contributions to United Ways support approximately
45,000 agencies and chapters, helping millions of people from
all walks of life and income groups. Apart from government,
United Ways support the greatest variety of health and human
services in the country.
-
United Way volunteers raised $4 billion in the 2001 campaign.
These dollars were used for human services including disaster
relief, food and shelter, crisis intervention, day care, physical
rehabilitation and youth development. That was a 3 percent increase
over the amount raised in 2000.
-
United Way volunteers ensure that every group receiving funds
is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity governed by a volunteer
board and that it conducts an annual, independent financial
audit, provides services at a reasonable cost, and maintains
a policy of non-discrimination.
-
Because of the vast network of volunteers and the simplicity
of corporate payroll deduction, administrative expenses for
the largest United Ways average 13 percent of all funds raised.
This low figure compares favorable with the suggested Better
Business Bureau guideline of up to 35 percent.
-
During United Way's extensive annual citizen-review process,
experienced volunteers assess community needs and decide how
to distribute funds. This is done to get the most bang for the
buck! It is our goal that United Way dollars be used to address
the most pressing community issues and reach local people who
are most in need.
United Way Movement Began in Denver
Did you know that the "United Way" movement began in
the United States more than one hundred years ago in Denver, Colorado?
It was called the "Charity Organizations Society" and
its purpose was to raise money for human service programs in the
Denver area. More than $20,000 was raised and the idea of having
a single annual appeal had been born.
The idea back then was the same as it is now - that community
members have the responsibility to take care of one another by volunteering
time and donating dollars. The goal has always been to make the
community a better place to live.
Today there are more than 1,400 United Ways nation wide and together
they raise almost $4 billion a year. These funds are used to help
support thousands of human service programs for millions of our
nation's citizens.
Each United Way is an
independent organization governed by a local board of volunteers
so it can be responsive to the needs of the local people. The United
Way of Skagit County was first organized on a very modest scale
in 1964. It has grown over the years as our population has increased.
Last year we raised more than $750,000 to support a host of programs
and services that help meet the needs of people in Skagit County.
United Way was a great idea when it started in 1880 and it continues
to be a great idea today. Supporting the United Way with time and
money is a way you really can make a difference.
|
|
United
Way of Skagit County...