How well will we care for those with real needs among us?
The answer to that in 2003 will depend to a large degree on the success of the coming United Way fund drive. Government can provide some of the answer, but there’s no better way to meet needs and improve lives than through the private charitable drive with its flexibility and community involvement.
The United Way of Snohomish County has been a leader in assuring efficiency among the area’s private human service providers. United Way has also begun a long-range effort to ensure that the community’s real needs are identified and met. And it aims to do so in ways that provide even more efficiency and a greater sense of community among all of us.
United Way’s fund-raising efforts will be coming to many work places in Snohomish County beginning in late August or after an official kickoff during the second week of September. On Tuesday, United Way volunteers gathered for a breakfast where speakers laid out their hopes for a strong community response to the increased needs caused by a troubled economy.
They have cause to be optimistic. Boeing employees have already conducted their fund drive, and while results haven’t been compiled, it was clearly marked by an exceptionally energetic effort and generous response. There were literally Boeing workers signing checks just before walking out the door on the day of their layoffs, according to Bob Drewel, the United Way fund drive co-chair and county executive.
It would be easy, though, to forget that the challenges are genuinely big. Staggered by the economic hit caused by recession and the Sept. 11 events’ impact on the air manufacturing sector, last fall’s fund drive raised $10 million, down from $11 million a year earlier. Many of the same economic factors are at work.
Given the strength of community commitment, though, there is much more reason for optimism. As Brent Stewart, president of United Way of Snohomish County, observes, "We do work well together as a community. Even though there are some challenges and there have been some challenges, it is going to take that same unity and the same community spirit to pull us out of it."
All of us have the chance to decide what we can do to help neighbors who need help for themselves or their families in tough circumstances. United Way’s fund drive this year will be an especially timely opportunity to respond to the needs of neighbors.
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