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It has been a hard year for many people here in
Laurens
County
. Unemployment is up. Calls to the crisis assistance agencies have greatly increased – especially for food, utility, and rent/mortgage assistance. The number of
Laurens
County
residents in need of emergency assistance is rising, while the agency revenues are declining.
“We are so grateful to the people and businesses who have given so far – they are being as generous as they can,” said Tara Glenn, United Way Executive Director. “Now we are appealing to those who haven’t given yet.
To date, the campaign has raised $304,024 in pledges, but the goal for 2009 is $500,000. Glenn is hopeful that an additional $60,000 will come in from efforts that are currently underway in workplaces throughout the county and from national corporate campaigns that are not processed locally. However, even if those projections are realized, they will boost the campaign only to 80 percent of goal.
“What that means to our community is that help may not be available at a time when help is needed the most,” said Glenn. All funds raised by the
United Way of
Laurens
County
remain in the local community to provide grants to critical human service programs delivered by its 20 partner agencies. If the campaign falls short, the
United Way will see a deduction in its ability to provide these grants. These recipient organizations, which are already stretched to the limit with their own fundraising efforts, urgently need those
United Way dollars.
To help assure that the local
United Way partner agency resources will be available in the coming year, the
United Way of
Laurens
County
is asking the community to consider a small way to make a big difference.
Residents and businesses may send donations directly to the
United Way of
Laurens
County
,
P.O. Box 544, Clinton, SC
29325
. Donations can also be made online via credit card at www.uwlc-online.org. All donations are tax-deductible.
For more information on donations or partner agencies, please contact the
United Way of
Laurens
County
office at 833.3623.
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