United Way Kicks Off Local Drive

If you think that contributing to the United Way doesn’t really make a difference to anybody you know, consider this:

There are close to 15,000 people living in Cannon County. Nearly 5,000 of those are benefitted in some way by a United Way-supported agency.

Next week people all across America will give thanks for what life has given them.

Beginning this week, the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties would like to have the opportunity to thank you for giving.

Many Cannon Countians would not be able to find and receive the services they need were it not for the local organizations supported by the United Way.

“United Way touches one in three people in our community,” Brian Hercules, president and CEO of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, said.

“We provide services that involve every demographic of the community, Alive Hospice, American Red Cross, Cannon County Senior Center, Cannon County 4-H, the REACH program and the list goes on ... 45 total agencies and programs.”

United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas.

“We provide an avenue for the community to give through payroll deduct and an umbrella for the charitable dollars to meet the needs of the community.” Hercules said. “Many people have a heart to give but do not always have resources available. United Way provides a systematic way for people to give.”

The local United Way annual campaign kicks off this week and continues until the end of January. The overall goal for Rutherford and Cannon County is $2.8 million, the Cannon County Goal is $44,000.

Persons can contribute to the United Way through their workplace campaign, at all three local banks in Cannon County, or by going online to uwrutherford.org.

Locally-based organizations which receive support from the United Way include Cannon County REACH Program, Cannon County Senior Center, Cannon County 4-H, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Child Advocacy Center, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Success by Six.

There are also many United Way agencies that provide services in Cannon County that do not have a local office, such as Project Pass, Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

For more than 50 years, United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has been bringing people together to advance the common good for those around us. United Way strives to help every individual maximize his or her potential through giving, advocacy, and volunteerism. We invite you to aid in creating a lasting, positive impact in our community the “united” way.