Community Spotlight
United Way Kicks-Off 2010 Campaign in Paulding County
The United Way in Paulding County kicked-off its 2010 Campaign season in conjunction with the Paulding Chamber of Commerce Georgia Power luncheon on Thursday, September 2nd at the Paulding Community Center.
"Our ultimate goal this year is to raise $155,000 to meet critical needs in Paulding County," says Genevieve Cole, 2010 United Way Board Member and President of Georgia Heritage Bank. "With an unprecedented number of jobs lost over the past three years and staggering unemployment rates, there are more families in Paulding County needing help."
Last year, the United Way, '2-1-1' help line, answered approximately 2,440 calls from Paulding County residents in need of assistance with basic items such as food, clothing and shelter.
"United Way depends heavily upon corporate donations and workplace campaigns to help us reach our goal," explains Chris Houtchens, 2010 United Way Advisory Board Chair and Executive Vice President of Metro Bank. "This year, we are asking our supporters to do their best to give even more to help families in need. For those corporations or organizations who have considered giving in the past, we hope that you will make a decision to partner with us this year."
This year, United Way is pleased to have a new Loaned Executive for Paulding County, Flip Spiceland, former WXIA Channel 11 on-air personality to assist with the 2010 campaign efforts. "We really want to make sure the people of Paulding County know just how committed we are to giving support to the community and making real change possible," says Houtchens. "We believe that Flip is the right person to help us effectively tell the United Way story in Paulding."
There are a number of ways corporations can get involved to help support the community, including making a corporate donation; allowing employees to participate by running a Workplace Campaign; and raising money through special events (e.g., bake sales, raffles, Denim Days, etc.). Every dollar counts.
Donations made to the United Way Community Impact Fund are reinvested back into the Paulding community and benefit programs supported by the Paulding Collaborative, Shepherds Rest Domestic Violence Shelter, Boys and Girls Club, Travelers Aid, YMCA Early Learning Center and Children's Voice CASA.
United Way in Paulding County engages all segments of the community to drive sustainable change in education, income, health and homelessness while continuing to address urgent and basic human care. Our vision is for Paulding County to be a place where all individuals and families thrive.
For more information, please contact Melanie Robinson at mrobinson@unitedwayatlanta.org or by calling 678-623-2860.