United Way of Anderson County sets fundraising goal at $1.3 million

“The measure of a community is how it treats its vulnerable members.”

~ Various people including Gandhi and Pope John Paul

By Edwena, Charles, Rebecca, and Nick Crowe, the 2013 Campaign Crew for United Way of Anderson County

The United Way of Anderson County board of directors—under the leadership of the campaign crew of Edwena, Charles, Rebecca, and Nick Crowe—has established a fundraising goal of $1.3 million for the fall 2013 campaign.

“We recognize this is a bold goal, one that may be difficult to achieve,” said Charles Crowe. “Yet, we are all in this together, and together, we can begin the recovery that is so important to our county.”

United Way of Anderson County witnessed a 12 percent decrease in pledges and a 50 percent increase in unpaid pledges during 2012. This “perfect storm” resulted in a 20 percent reduction in funding to partner health and human service nonprofits that meet the needs of Anderson County residents.

“Staff tells me that at least once or twice a week, someone needing help with rent or utilities is told, ‘There are no resources available,'” that all those funds are depleted,” Nick Crowe said.

And while it is unfortunate for those who hear “no,” it is five years in the future where the trouble for our community lies. If today, CASA of the Tennessee Heartland cannot serve a child, if the Second Harvest food backpack program does not feed a child, if Clinch River Home Health cannot reach an isolated senior, it means that today someone goes without. However, it also means that as these dominoes fall and pile up, the outlook for a few years in the future begins to grow dim.

“When Bruce Pearl spoke to us at Y-12 a few years ago,” Edwena Crowe said, “he told us that one-half of his basketball team would not have been on the court had it not been for Boys and Girls Club.” The idea that the UWAC campaign is an investment in our future is more real today than ever before.

Economic uncertainty remains our constant companion here in Anderson County. Yet, we see some indicators of recovery around us—construction of retail and restaurants, and sales tax receipts inching upward. We are also acutely aware that for many, the Great Recession has been cruel, heartless, and is not over.

“It is time for us to act,” said Rebecca Crowe. “Act together, as one, in supporting UWAC this fall.”

“When UWAC asks you this fall if you will be part of our family”, the Crowes said, “please say yes, yes I will.”

UWAC and its 34 community partners with 51 vital programs address three core needs of the community: basic human needs, youth development, and the needs of seniors. For more information, call (865) 483-8431 or visit www.uwayac.org.