During this holiday season of giving and all the hustle and bustle, we can sometimes forget that not everyone has something to celebrate.
The holidays can be an unwelcome reminder to many of what they have lost, but here at United Way we help individuals and families see hope for a better tomorrow.
At United Way, we are in the business of building better futures, not just during the holiday season, but 365 days a year.
Working with our community partners such as Habitat for Humanity, we will be helping to provide a home for the holidays for several families without adequate housing.
The Salvation Army will be providing food, clothing, transitional shelter, and toys this Christmas.
United Way will also be providing volunteers for the Housing Resources Fair where we will be giving scarves and gloves to the homeless in our community.
To learn more about holiday volunteer opportunities visit www.ourunitedway.org/holiday-volunteer-opportunities or www.volunteernwga.org.
Imagine sending a child to school and expecting him to be ready to learn when he does not have adequate nutritious food, a safe place to sleep, or clothing to keep him warm.
Imagine a homebound elderly woman who can no longer drive to the store to purchase groceries to prepare meals.
United Way and our community partners are meeting basic needs throughout the year in our community – in fact, 35% of the programs and services United Way supports are meeting basic needs.
Your gift improves over 55,000 lives in Whitfield and Murray Counties.
When you give to United Way, your gift goes where the needs are the greatest as determined by volunteers who align the resources with partners that get results.
But the story doesn’t end there… Many immediate needs within Whitfield and Murray Counties need your help now.
Meet Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn is a single mother of two who was referred to United Way community partner, Salvation Army by the Family Crisis Center, another United Way Community Partner.
Kaitlyn was escaping from an abusive relationship. After fleeing from her husband who was the breadwinner of the family, Kaitlyn and her two daughters were left without a job to support the family, without a car, and without a home.
They are currently in The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, which is designed to help families in crisis situations.
They make sure that the necessities like food, clothing, and transitional housing are provided so that families can focus on budgeting, counseling, life skills education, and more to help break the cycle of generational poverty.
These families in the program are in the beginning stages of breaking the cycle of generational poverty and addiction. The cycle can’t be broken without your support!
Your donation to United Way provides items like the ones listed below that families in our community, just like Kaitlyn’s, need this Holiday Season:
school supplies
medical care
clothing
housing
utilities
counseling
budgeting
and so much more!
Does your gift matter?
Absolutely! Last year, 2,904 individuals received housing assistance, 84,553 meals were delivered to homebound elderly, and 937 domestic violence calls were answered because of your donation!
During this season of giving, please remember not every family has the ability to celebrate the holidays. Please give to United Way today and change lives.
You can visit www.ourunitedway.org/give or mail a check to United Way of Northwest Georgia, PO Box 566, Dalton, GA 30722.
Thank you for your support! Live United!
Amanda Burt is the President of United Way of Northwest Georgia. The mission of United Way is Improving Lives, Inspiring Donors, Uniting Community.