For many, the harvest celebrations that surround Halloween signal the arrival of the holiday season, and area families will begin juggling their finances to cover special family activities and gifts.
We hope that you will remember to include a gift to the United Way of Denton County as you list priorities for the remainder of the year and finalize your budgetary planning.
This vital community organization is in the midst of its annual campaign to raise funds. Each year, area businesses, corporations, organizations and individuals pledge support, and the organization puts these donations to good use helping those in need through a variety of programs and services. Its member agencies work throughout the year to improve lives in Denton County.
Some donations are large, made by corporations with many workers, but no gift is too small or insignificant. Each individual donation can help make a big difference in someone’s life.
Gary Henderson, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Denton County, said last week that the organization is about halfway toward meeting its current campaign goal.
Henderson said the all-time high donation level for the local United Way was $2.46 million, a level it needs to match or eclipse this year in order to meet growing demand for services.
As Denton County’s population has continued to grow, so has the need, agency officials tell us. That means more financial support must be secured every year.
Denton County residents are generous, but regular reminders never hurt. The holiday season is a hectic time, and you don’t want to forget to help your neighbors.
Making a donation to the United Way is a great way to help because you can count on the money going to folks right here at home. United Way programs help children and young people achieve their potential, promote literacy, help people find stability and independence, and improve people’s physical and mental health.
The agency’s programs are too numerous to mention here, but a good example of how the United Way helps make life better in the local community is a recent partnership including the United Way, Cross Timbers Community Church and Evers Park Elementary School.
Henderson said the partnership illustrates how different segments of the community can work together to meet the growing needs of area residents.
“Not one person or organization can serve all the needs of our diverse community,” Henderson said. “When two or more community-centered organizations join together collaboratively, it allows the entire community, and our future — the children — the chance to develop into strong adults that will transform our future with greatness. We call this collective impact.”
United Way definitely has collective impact and we urge you to help this vital agency continue to be a positive influence in many, many lives.
Like we said, your gift doesn’t have to be large — if a lot of people do a little, it will add up by the end of the year.
You can learn more about the United Way of Denton County by visiting www.unitedwaydenton.org. Read about the various program and see how this agency works for the good of all.
You may already be a supporter of United Way, and if so, we thank you and salute your generosity.
But if you haven’t made a gift yet, why not consider doing so today? Remember — if we all do a little, together we can make a big difference.
