United Way in final week of fundraising

The local United Way is entering the final week of its annual fundraising campaign, and community members are being encouraged to give generously to help their neighbors.

"Reaching New Heights Together" is the theme of this year's United Way fundraising campaign, which continues through Dec. 31.

The goal is $1 million, the most ever raised for United Way and $80,000 more than last year's record amount, according to a press release from the United Way.

The campaign benefits 26 member agencies in Northwest Montana. Ninety-nine cents of every dollar donated supports local agency programs and services.

Last year, United Way member agencies helped more than 55,000 people.

Donations benefit the United Way and its 26 member agencies in Flathead County, serving thousands of local individuals and families with a variety of needs.

Current member agencies are the American Red Cross, Big Brothers and Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, Eagle Transit, First Call for Help-Net, Flathead Attention Home, Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Literacy Volunteers, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center, and the Violence Free Crisis Line/Abbie Shelter.

Services of the United Way include CASA for Kids, Disaster Care Services, Leaders of Tomorrow, Teens in Crisis, Teen Night and the United Way Volunteer Center.

The United Way also supports the following emergency food and shelter programs in Northwest Montana: Bread Basket, Community Kitchen, Community Harvest Food Bank, DOVES, Helping Hands, Hot Springs Food Pantry, Lake County Mental Health Center, Libby Food Pantry, Lincoln County Crisis Solutions, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Neighbors in Need, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Salvation Army Feeding Program, Thompson Falls Food Pantry and Troy Food Pantry.

Here are just a few of the ways United Way Member Agencies help people:

. 8,902 individuals were served 94,027 meals through donated food.

. 75,254 referrals were made for 69,211 people in need by United Way Member Agencies.

. 81,727 meals were prepared for 3,279 people in shelters and in child and youth programs.

. 31,653 individuals participated in 1,243 community awareness programs.

. 1,042 people received clothing and diapers.

. 13,103 nights of temporary emergency shelter were provided to 1,681 people.

. 4,594 people received 10,844 hours of one-to-one counseling.

. 3,683 telephone reassurance calls were made to senior citizens.

. 154 people with disabilities received 1,550 hours of independent living services.

. 1,250 teens participated in after-hour sports/recreation programs.

Local volunteers determine where donated dollars are spent. Last year, 147 community members participated in the local Citizens Review Panel process to allocate funding and set the goal for this year's campaign.

People who are a part of United Way programs find satisfaction in participating:

. A local physician who attended classes at the Nurturing Center: "I'm very grateful to the Nurturing Center for being there for families. They provide a lot of resources for parents who are hurting."

. A Kalispell resident who volunteers at Special Friends Advocacy Program and participates in the People First advocacy support group: "I just love this group. Whatever you want to learn, you can come here and learn it. It's not just a group, it's a family."

. A formerly rebellious teen whose life was changed at Sinopah House, a residential program for troubled teen-age girls: "They really straightened me out. I've grown up a lot."

. A Head Start mom whose family has benefited from the program: "Head Start promotes families and children and empowers them to expand in their life. I strongly believe that if more parents got involved in their children's education here at Head Start, it would make a big difference in our community."

. A participant in the Leaders of Tomorrow program: "This program is a terrific opportunity to learn about businesses and programs which help keep our valley running smoothly."

Donors to United Way can choose how to give, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to a credit card, billing on a periodic basis or through an automatic bank transfer. Donors also may designate which member agencies or non-affiliated partner agencies they want to receive their gift.

For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266. Donations can be accepted over the telephone 24 hours a day in the final days of the campaign. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.

Donations dated by Dec. 31 can be accepted even if they are received in January.

-Information courtesy of a United Way press release.