User:United Way of East Mississippi/sandbox

United Way of East Mississippi Site: http://www.unitedforunitedway.org/ Mission The mission of United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community.

History

National History of United Way

Local United Way organizations were born from necessity. They were created by local community leaders who banded together to address the waste and frustration that came from many competing appeals for charitable funds and the numerous and incessant demands for volunteer time and effort.

The first semblance of a local United Way dates back to Denver, Colorado, in 1887 when religious leaders formed the Charity Organizations Society. The group planned and coordinated local services and conducted a single fundraising campaign for 22 agencies in November 1888, raising $21,700. The Community Chest, also a forerunner of today's organization, was first organized in Rochester, New Fork, in 1919 during World War I. By 1929, there were 353 Community Chests of record around the country. Similar organized approaches to fund raising sprang up using the names "Torch Drive," "Red Feather," and "United Appeal". Detroit became the first community to adopt the name "United Fund" in 1949. Local History of United Way

The Community Chest of Meridian, MS was Organized in November of 1940 to fund and assist the Council of Nine Social Agencies. This early organization had a budget of $24,669.12 (to be exact!).

On August 4, 1953, the Community Chest adopted a charter to change its name to the United Fund. Its fundraising goal then was $150,000, which was nearly met at $141,000.

Seven years passed before the next evolution of the United Fund. The State of Mississippi issued a non-profit Charter of Incorporation to the Greater Lauderdale Organized Welfare Fund (GLOW Fund). By this time, the fundraising goal was down to $129,009, and it was met and surpassed by $825.

It wasn't until August 22, 1974, that an amendment finally changed the name of GLOW Fund to United Way of Meridian, Inc, and the Helping Hand logo (right) was adopted. That year the budget was up to $285,000, while only $223,800 was actually raised. Participating Agencies

United Way of East Mississippi provides support to 13 local agencies with the money raised in this community.

·Boy Scouts of America

·Boys & Girls Club

·Camp Eagle Ridge

·Care Lodge

·Feed by Faith

·Foster Grandparent

·Habitat for Humanity

·Hope Village for Children

·L.O.V.E.'s Kitchen

·Meals on Wheel Program

·Salvation Army

·Davidson Shelter (formerly known as South Harbor Shelter)

·Free Clinic of Meridian

·Meridian Freedom Project

Education The Educational programs United Way of East Mississippi supports are:

·Dolly Parton's Imagination Library If you are a resident of Kemper or Lauderdale Counties or Quitman School District, your child is eligible to receive books from one day old until his/her fifth birthday, each month. SIGN UP YOUR CHILD HERE:   http://www.unitedforunitedway.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library

·Stuff the Bus

''·United Way/AIRS 211 ''

Income

The Income involved programs United Way of Mississippi supports are:

United Way/AIRS 211 United Way's Assistance Line, 2-1-1 MS, fielded approximately 500 calls from residents in Lauderdale, Clarke, and Kemper counties last year. And the majority of assistance requested in areas of: gas, electric, rent, food, and mortgage assistance.

Income Tax Preparation Program (ITPP)

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) This program helps provide funds to our local agencies to use to provide services for economic emergency situations involving food and shelter. United Way of East Mississippi helped administer $42,427 of funding last year.

Health

The programs Health wise, that United Way of Mississippi supports are: ·United Way/AIRS 211 United Way's Assistance Line, 2-1-1 MS, fielded approximately 500 calls from residents in Lauderdale, Clarke, and Kemper counties last year. And the majority of assistance requested in areas of: gas, electric, rent, food, and mortgage assistance.

·Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)  This program helps provide funds to our local agencies to use to provide services for economic emergency situations involving food and shelter. United Way of East Mississippi helped administer $42,427 of funding last year.

· familywiZe

·Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)'' (RSVP) is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation, matching local opportunities to serve the community with adults who are 55 and older and willing to help. It links the skills of senior volunteers with identified, critical community needs.

· State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) Medicare Advocacy Program to assist all individuals age 65 and older.

 Contact Us

In order to serve you better as a community, we invite your comments, suggestions, questions, or any kind of feedback.

4817 North Park Drive Meridian, MS 39305

or

P.O. Box 5376 Meridian, MS 39302

(601) 693-2732

(601) 693-2748 fax

Thad Quarles CEO

thad.quarles@unitedway.org