United Way of Lewis County has reached their annual campaign goal of $600,000, thanks to its many generous supporters.
"Exceeding goal enables United Way of Lewis County to expand our community impact work to help more people than ever before. It allows our organization the opportunity to continue to invest in innovative initiatives that look to solve pressing community needs, such as breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty,” says Debbie Campbell, Executive Director for United Way of Lewis County.
Crucial programs funded by United Way of Lewis County align with three specific areas of impact, focusing on Education, Income, and Health; the foundation for success in life. United Way of Lewis County received funding requests exceeding $367,000 for the 2015 funding cycle. The Community Investment process, made up of over 30 volunteers, is currently taking place and allocation of funds will be approved by the United Way of Lewis County Board of Directors and announced after April 1, 2015.
Top contributors to United Way’s 2014-2015 annual campaign include TransAlta, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel, Boeing Employees Community Fund, The Chehalis Tribe, National Frozen Foods Corporation, and Security State Bank. These top companies and their employees were responsible for over $300,000 of the United Way of Lewis County fundraising campaign.
“Our community members are exceptionally generous in helping to create the conditions needed for more of our children to succeed, for more local families to thrive, and for our community to be more caring and inclusive toward the less fortunate among us,” said Angela French, Development Director for United Way of Lewis County.
The 2014 campaign was led by Campaign Chair Court Stanley, President of Port Blakely Tree Farms, and Associate Campaign Chair Haylee Bruce, Accountant at Pacific Mobile Structures, Inc. “The fact that we exceeded our campaign target this year is really a testament to the entire community and our collective drive to want to make Lewis County a better place for everyone,” stated Stanley. Bruce added,“It takes a great deal of effort on the part of our campaign coordinators, staff members, in-kind supporters and our board of directors to achieve this kind of result. It is such a wonderful complement to the caring nature of our community, saying we care in a really BIG way.”
Of the programs allocated funding through the 2014 grant process, 71% was invested in programs that reduce homelessness and hunger, and help individuals and families to meet their financial needs, 15% was invested in programs that increaseaccess to basic and preventative health services, and 14% was invested in helping children and youth reach their full potential.
For more information about United Way of Lewis County and their community work, visit www.lewiscountyuw.com.