Editorials / Opinion

UNITED Way of King County succeeds when we all help. That is the simple truth. The 2011-12 campaign relies on all of us reaching out to our neighbors in need.

The work of the United Way of King County is powered by the generosity of workplace giving, major individual donors and corporate gifts.

After three off years, United Way rebounded last year, but still fell short of 2007, the year before the Great Recession hit. Every dollar raised helped rebuild the lives of people knocked down by hard times.

The current campaign was launched last fall with a Day of Caring that attracted 11,000 volunteers from 122 companies to work on 416 service projects. The 293 agencies involved received 52,000 hours of volunteer labor valued at $1.1 million. An auspicious start, illustrative of United Way's deep community roots.

One of the keys to United Way's enduring reputation is the responsible and accountable use of donor contributions. This is a low-overhead endeavor that funnels virtually all of the money received to charitable purposes.

The United Way focuses on ending homelessness, providing basic needs and family programs, in addition to allocating money to organizations and channeling donor-directed giving to designated organizations.

United Way also has the capacity to involve people directly in helping their neighbors. The community is richer for the combinations of time, talent and donations that caring people offer.

Agencies and programs supported by United Way have suffered an erosion of aid from government and private sources. United Way steps forward with assistance that is basic and vital. Please help.

For more information, go to: www.uwkc.org