Archive
United Way – and those it helps – needs your support

Mar 11, 2008

More than 200 families got groceries at the Share Center in Terrell one day last week. The Center doesn’t get a lot of money from the United Way, but what it does get is essential.

If the United Way runs short, the center will run short.

“We got $5,000 last year,” said Betty Glaeser, the center’s director. “We’ll be glad to get $5,000 this year.”

This year’s United Way’s goal is $300,000, the same as last year.

Director Pam High said the board looked at the economy and decided not to raise the goal, even though the need is growing.

“It’s definitely growing,” Mrs. High said, “as the community grows the needs are going to grow.”

Donations continue to come in and she wasn’t sure exactly how much is needed but estimated it is still about $50,000.

Nineteen agencies receive money from the United Way and as many as 40,000 Kaufman County residents are served in some way.

“Kaufman County has a large number working poor,” Mrs. High said. “That means they are working, not homeless, people like you and me. Their wages are low enough they need help month-to-month.”

Some of the money goes to charities outside the county such as Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, but the funds are used to help Kaufman County residents.

As it has been for several year, Vistawall in Terrell is the largest contributor. The company’s contribution is $85,562, said Tony Evans, who works for Vistawall and is also a United Way director.

He said the company believes the United Way is important to the community.

“It is a companywide campaign where we touch all employees. We bring them in and put the United Way before them,” Mr. Evans.

Employees are urged to turn in their pledge cards even if they don’t make a donation to make sure the campaign is not overlooked.

The company contributed vacation days that are auctioned off. And managers fixed a steak lunch for the groups with the highest gifts.

Mrs. High said she hopes donations will continue.

“There is so much need in the county,” she said. “It’s not important so that we can reach our goal as an agency, but if we don’t there will be people won’t be helped.”

Tax deductible donations may be sent to the United Way, P.O. 648, Terrell, TX. 75160.


© Copyright 2005-2007 by Kaufman County Online