|
Hood River News Editorial
October 4, 2006
All for one and one for all.
That’s the letter, and spirit, of the new agreement between the three
local United Way affiliates serving the the Gorge.
The three are now one.
Two weeks ago, a long period of planning came to fruition as volunteer
representatives for the three United Way groups serving Hood River
County, Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties, and Skamania and
Klickitat counties sat down for breakfast with a thick stack of
consolidation documents in front of them.
When they put down their pens, all concerned had made it official: it
is now the United Way of the Columbia Gorge.
United Way raises funds on behalf of dozens of Gorge-wide groups that
serve the elderly, disabled, children, and the disadvantaged.
The merger comes at the mid-point of an active time for the social
service umbrella agency. September and October forms the annual
campaign season for United Way.
The consolidation will mean a streamlining of services, with more
concentrated, lower-cost administration, while each local group will
retain steering committees responsible for fundraising, allocations,
and events in their respective counties.
That means United Way gains regional strength while keeping its local
impacts.
As Hood River United Way president Paul Blackburn put it, “We can
raise and distribute more money to where it is needed most. And we can
do it with less effort.”
Anyone donating to groups via United Way can rest assured that their
money will go to their intended recipient agency, from Moro to Cascade
Locks, Carson to Goldendale.
United Way of the Columbia Gorge is hoping to raise $200,000 this fall
to benefit agencies in all six counties. (For more information,
contact the local United Way at:
unitedway.columbiagorge@charter.net)
For a senior meals provider, a foster program, or a youth literacy
group, a donation via United Way gives a much-needed budget boost.
Gifts by individuals, employees, and businesses to United Way are like
a life-line. If you can make even a small donation to the effort, take
the opportunity this month.
A coordinated campaign season brings United Way volunteers to a fine
point all at the same time for two months out of the year.
Good luck to an increasingly-flexible United Way serving the entire
Gorge. |
