Volunteer Center and the Randolph Fellowship Homes. Lastly, UWRC partners with health-related agencies that make Randolph County a healthier place to live through reducing substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. These agencies improve the access of residents to critical health care services while also increasing health education and preventative care. An estimated 14,480 people benefited from UWRC partner agencies such as Ash-Rand Rescue, the Family Crisis Center, Regional Consolidated Services, Randolph County Senior Adults, YMCA, MERCE, CARE and Legal Aid. As Mitchell states, a major part of United Way is raising money, something the organization does year round. However, a special push is created through the organization’s annual giving campaign kicking off near the end of September and running until December. The 2013 campaign officially kicked off on Saturday, Sept. 21, with the fourth annual MOM Brands Cereal Sale at Randolph Mall. This year’s sale generated $10,000 to jumpstart the campaign. “People get confused about the dates of how our campaign runs,” said Mitchell, explaining that the 2013 campaign stays open until the end of June 2014. However, Mitchell reminds those that will be joining this year’s campaign that all pledge cards are due in the first week of December in order to be a part of the organization’s infamous car giveaway, which takes place at the Christmas on Sunset event in Downtown Asheboro. A vital part of the yearly campaign is that given through workplace donations. According to Mitchell, the agency is currently working with 38 Randolph County corporations, where Mitchell, along with United Way Community Investment Chair Elbert Lassiter visit each of the 38 companies, bringing along a personalized fact sheet to show the difference that the company and its employees can make in their
community. Just as important as raising funds is to secure agency partnerships that will make the biggest community impact. “When people give their money, I don’t get to decide where the dollars goes,” said Mitchell. “The volunteers do that. This isn’t Elizabeth’s ballgame.” A board of local volunteers known within the agency as Community Investment volunteers, currently led by Lassiter, decide what agencies receive United Way funding. Funded agencies are held to high financial accountability standards, which if not met result in being denied funding in the future. Like with any agency or organization, there is plenty of professional jargon that goes along with the business. From various boards, to community impact statements, financial accountability standards, campaign calendars, and plenty of data to crunch, it actually a l l comes down to a very simple
formula and an age-old belief. United Way of Randolph County stands by the belief that everybody deserves the opportunity to live a good life. With this comes quality educational opportunities, the ability to sustain a family with a good job and wages, and the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle with necessary available care. Mitchell puts it as down-to-earth as one can translate. “It’s simply helping your neighbor,” she said. “Paying it forward.” For more information on United Way of Randolph County, including how you can join the annual campaign, like them on Facebook, connect on the web at www.uwrandolph.org, or simply call them at (336) 625-4207. n
asheboromagazine.com
47