Committed to Improving the Quality of Life in Granville County    ... LIVING UNITED

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News Release July 2010

GRANVILLE COUNTY UNITED WAY GEARING UP FOR KICK OFF

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Granville County United Way staff and volunteers are gearing up to kick off their fall campaign. “United Way has long been recognized for its fundraising, but we are about much more than raising money. We are the place that people turn to when they need help” said Brenda Dickerson-Daniel, Executive Director. “Throughout its history, the overall vision, mission and goal of Granville County United Way has been focused upon serving and supporting the quality of life in our community.

This year the United Way has set a community goal of $350,000.  2010-2011 Campaign  Chair, Michael Felts, cited the affect of local and state economies on the fundraising efforts of Granville County United Way. “As with similar non-profit organizations, giving to the Granville County United Way has decreased over the past few years.  Unfortunately, reduced giving results in reduced allocations to local agencies.  As such, the Granville County United Way Allocations Chairs, local volunteers and members thoroughly reviewed the types of programs and groups the United Way should fund with its reduced allocations. The  results indicated monies raised in Granville County should be directed primarily to agencies serving senior citizens and children and those addressing basic daily functions such as meals and shelter.  Further, these allocations, beginning in July, 2009, were addressed primarily to those agencies serving our core groups and addressing required, basic daily functions.”

Agencies currently funded by Granville County United Way are as follows: Boy Scouts, Community Schools/ The Learning Lab, Girl Scouts, Granville County 4-H, Harold Sherman Adult Day Center, Smart Start,  Granville Nutrition Program, Senior Services Lifeline, Families Living Violence Free, American Red Cross, Area Congregations in Ministry, Lifeline Outreach.  Programs currently funded by Granville County United Way include: Boys and Girls Club, Granville Search and Rescue and West Oxford Elementary School’s WORLD Program.

The official kick-off for this year’s campaign is on September 24, 2010 at Granville Athletic Park with breakfast and our second annual Day of Caring.  “Day of Caring” consists entirely of employee volunteers who go out to non-profit agencies and lend a helping hand for the day. This event is a wonderful opportunity to promote teamwork.  Departments not only benefit from exercising their teamwork skills, but also benefit from the camaraderie generated among their employees as they help out at a local non-profit agency. The agencies, participants and surrounding community members benefit from the work that is done that day, creating a win-win situation for all involved. It is a day that demonstrates that volunteerism is vital to the well being of our community.  It spotlights United Way’s role in bringing volunteers together, empowering them to work together to address some of the urgent needs facing our community.

However, fundraising efforts are already underway.  Local businesses will begin their internal campaigns in mid July 2010.  Further, the Granville County United Way is sponsoring a Small Business Blitz on September 24, 2010.“ We are looking forward to continuing to fund local agencies addressing the needs of Granville County residents” said Felts. “It is our hope, through the Day of Caring,  local business campaigns and the Small Business Blitz, that Granville County United Way will be well on its way to reaching this year’s goal of $350,000.

Anyone needing information about Granville County United Way or the October 9th Day of Caring, may call the United Way office at 919 693 5205 or visit the Granville County United Way website: granvillecountyunitedway.org.

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 Brenda Dickerson-Daniel

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