First and foremost, we’d like to take a moment to say thank you for all you’ve done to support United Way of East Central Iowa. We’re coming off another successful campaign, thanks to the generous businesses and individuals in the communities we serve. Those contributions will be put to work in over 40 agencies, helping thousands of people in desperate need.
Our 2009 campaign will be unlike any in recent history, as we continue to rebuild our flood damaged neighborhoods and businesses in the midst of substantial economic hardship. Seventeen of our partner agencies had direct flood-related damage to their facilities, significantly impacting their ability to serve clients and meet ever-increasing demands. Hundreds of flood-affected families still need housing. Calls for assistance to United Way 2-1-1 in the first two months of 2009 have increased by more than 50% over the previous year. Most of these calls are not flood related and many are coming from people who don’t know
where to turn because they’ve never been in this situation before.
Now, more than ever, we need to do all that we can to make sure children are nurtured, families remain financially stable and people have access to healthcare and other critical services. These are the building blocks of success for our communities and the three pillars of United Way’s efforts to advance the common good. United Way believes the best way to help is by addressing underlying causes and working toward specific measurable goals, not just managing symptoms.
We know there is much work to do and difficult days ahead. But we remain hopeful because, time after time, our communities have come through and shown their giving spirit. We understand that you want to make a difference and improve lives right here in eastern Iowa. Together, we can achieve results that no individual or single organization can accomplish alone. That’s how we are Reaching Out and Rising Above.
Beth Malicki, KCRG-TV9 and Dennis Jordan, Priority One
2009 Campaign Co-Chairs