A letter from our President . . .

Years ago, after serving on the United Way campaign committee as a Loaned Employee, I was presented an award with the following quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no person can sincerely try to help another without helping themselves."

That is certainly how it is working with our executive director Celesa Willett, the board of directors and all of the United Way agencies. Those of us working with the United Way get to see first hand all of the benefits that are derived by contributions to the United Way and are able to watch as our agencies creatively meet the many and diverse needs of our Haywood County citizens.

Each year challenges faced in obtaining contributions that help fund our non profit agencies in Haywood County seem to be more numerous. With the needs growing in the county, the funding for all of the various needed services is being spread much thinner. At the United Way we have always strived to fund each of our 23 United Way Agencies as fully and as equitable as possible. The funding councils (formerly the allocation committees) are very diligent in reviewing all needs, requests and outcomes for each agency to ensure that funds contributed to the United Way are allocated to provide the greatest impact in our community. We know how vital each of these agencies is to our children, elderly, individuals with special needs as well as others with medical and personal crisis in their lives. The funding councils ensure good stewardship of the monies that are donated each year to support these agencies.

The campaign committee and the board are charged with the task of ensuring maximum contributions to our United Way Campaign. As a board, we are always seeking better ways to share the mission of the United Way and encourage more businesses, individuals and industries to become a part of our Haywood County United Way. As an agency, our mission is "to improve the lives of Haywood County's less fortunate by mobilizing the caring power of our communities", so we must take the lead and do whatever we can to promote this mission throughout the year. The stories of how the agencies of the United Way have made a difference in the lives of the people of Haywood County are truly amazing and inspiring

We can truly derive the most blessings from knowing that we have all made a difference in the lives of so many of our friends and neighbors. Together we can accomplish so much more for Haywood County.

Denise Coleman
July 2007