MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear Friends – 
The businesses and organizations of Washington county have a great tradition of community service and outreach, and one part of that tradition is their participation in United Way.  The United Way of Washington County is a major source of funding for 10 local agencies that serve people in need throughout Washington county.  These agencies provide programs for at-risk youth, counseling services, mental health advocacy, and many other services. 
For many years, we as an organization have been very fortunate to receive funding and donations in all shapes and sizes. We have received grants, participated in fundraising efforts by selling t-shirts, windchimes, can koozies, etc. and we have also been very grateful to continue to receive donation dollars from individuals, employee groups, and businesses year in and year out. However, we know that with the recent economic effects of COVID-19, we as a community, county, state, and country are all facing unprecedented times financially. As a result, we at the United Way of Washington County are continuing to adjust to the requests and actions from our agencies and communities. With that being said, please keep in mind a few simple facts when you are considering your annual pledge/donation to the United Way of Washington County:

• our money is raised locally
• allocated locally ($0.99 out of every $1.00 raised is redistributed throughout our community)
• spent locally by our agencies

In closing, I would like to reference two quotes that I think hit the mark about the character of Greenville, the surrounding communities and Washington county as a whole.  The first is by James Lane Allen, an American novelist, who said…” Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.”  The second is by Vince Lombardi, who said…” The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.” 
Thank you for you in advance for your continued support of United Way of Washington County. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact United Way of Washington County Executive Director, Jennifer Russell, or myself.
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Sincerely,
Walt Stephens
President | United Way of Washington County