The Lowndes County chapter of the United Way raised more than $650,000 last year, organization officials announced at their annual meeting Tuesday.
United Way raised $664,930 to help local organizations and people in need, according to executive director Patricia Brock.
“This seriously advances the common good for all of us here,” Brock said at Tuesday’s meeting, which was held at the Trotter Convention Center. Approximately $513,633 was raised through local contributions; the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors allocated $100,000; $9,330 was raised through special events; and the volunteer center raised $39,577. Interest earned totaled $2,390.
Approximately $453,850 was given to 16 different community organizations, including the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club, Contact Helpline and the Salvation Army, according to Brock.
Brock said community donations are vital to the success of the organization.
“It’s our life blood really,” she said. “Not so much ours, but the people that the agencies are able to help. Whether it’s a child that is being abused or someone who has found themselves suddenly without shelter due to fire or circumstances beyond their control, it’s critical to be able to help those people who just a need a hand to get back on track.”
In 2014, the American Red Cross assisted 481 people who were affected by houses fires, according to statistics provided by United Way. Contact Helpline volunteers responded to 9,216 crisis intervention calls including suicide, job loss, illness and family emergencies. Home Delivered Meals provided 6,240 meals to home bound and elderly residents.
By giving to United Way, Brock said donors are giving back to Lowndes County as a whole.
“It’s not a matter of I have so much and I want to give to those who have less, she said. “The more than they can invest today, the more benefit they will get themselves. It’s investing in the community so we can all have a better quality of life.”
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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