'Say Yes! Change Lives...' Annual United Way campaign begins
“Say Yes! Change Lives, Give Hope, Live United” is the theme of this year’s United Way fund drive that’s now underway to benefit a variety of nonprofit agencies throughout Northwest Montana.
The goal is $700,000, compared with $600,000 last year when the campaign was one month shorter because of a gradual re-adjustment to a calendar-year schedule. The 2013 campaign raised a total of $683,572, or 14 percent over the goal.
The 2014 campaign continues through Dec. 31.
Sherry Stevens, executive director of the local United Way, said community needs are greater than ever and encouraged community members to give generously to help their neighbors.
A recurring theme of the campaign is building, connecting and strengthening the community, focusing on the difference that an individual can make to help meet everyday needs of everyday people. The United Way has a variety of suggestions for ways that people can improve the world around them.
United Way member agencies from throughout the Flathead Valley have displays at the Kalispell Center Mall the week of Oct 14-21 to help kick off the campaign.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, there will be entertainment, face painting and balloons for children throughout the day.
Donations to the annual fund drive benefit United Way member agencies and services in Flathead County, serving thousands of local individuals and families with a variety of needs. The United Way also provides community resources including the annual Answer Book, a counseling directory, the Montana 211 project, a Volunteer Center and the FamilyWize prescription program.
Last year, United Way member agencies helped 48,125 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all funds raised stay in local communities to help local citizens.
Current member agencies are Big Brothers and Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, CASA For Kids, Eagle Transit, Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Literacy Volunteers, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center and the Violence Free Crisis Line and Abbie Shelter.
Services supported by the United Way include Disaster Care Services, Gateway Community Center, Leaders of Tomorrow, United Way 2-1-1 Montana Database Project, Senior Grocery Delivery Program, Teens in Crisis, AARP and VITA Tax Service, Best Beginnings Community Council Good Grief Camp the United Way Volunteer Center and Youth Suicide Prevention Project.
The United Way also supports the following emergency food and shelter programs in Northwest Montana
Donors may choose how to donate, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to a credit card, direct bill, or through an automatic bank transfer. Donors also may designate which member agencies or local affiliated partner agencies or the Montana Shares Federation they want to receive their gift.
For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.
Local volunteers determine where the donations are spent. Last year, more than 140 community members participated in the local Citizens Review Panel process to allocate funding and set the monetary goal.
For more information on making a difference in our community through supporting the United Way, call 752-7266.