A Message from the Executive Director Chuck Sharp
Volunteerism is what has made our local United Way successful for over 60 years. As we enter our 62nd year in operation, I would like to personally thank all of the volunteers who have taken time out of their busy professional and personal lives to make room for service to United Way. Thank you to the thousands of individual efforts that have brought United Way of Rutland County to where it is today, 62 years from when the Community Chest started in our community. Many of our volunteers have been active in supporting United Way for over 10 years. They volunteer because they want to make a difference in the lives of people in need. As a member of an allocation or campaign team, you make a difference. The United Way has an incredible group of volunteer board members. To all United Way volunteers, I would like to say ÒThank YouÓ for your dedication and compassion to United Way of Rutland County.
Each year we are asked to do more for our community. The needs continue to grow, putting greater pressure on those that contribute resources and time to do more and more. Still, United Way donors and volunteers continue to meet the challenge of meeting these increasing needs. United Way of Rutland County has not always been able to meet our community goal. Because of this, we must always remember to take the time to celebrate what our community has been able to accomplish.
Through local generosity, volunteers raised more money for United Way of Rutland County than ever before.
United Way funded more non-profit agencies (34) at a higher level of funding than ever before.
United Way and our local letter carriers collected 23,529 pounds of food for distribution to food shelves in Rutland County.
Through our friends at the Chittenden Bank, we brought the 9th Annual Really Big Show to the Paramount Theatre.
Through the kindness of local businesses, United Way helped delivered over 30 holiday food baskets and 60 Christmas gifts to families and children in our community during the holiday seasons.
United Way helped agencies with a variety of items donated to United Way by individuals and local businesses.
United Way of Rutland County was able to help distribute free booster seats to our community through The Ford Foundation and set up distribution through the Rutland County SheriffÕs Department and Rutland Regional Ambulance Service.
Through our friends at IBM, United Way distributed 10 Young Explorers Computers to local schools in Rutland County. Over the past three years, the program has brought in over $75,000 worth of technology to programs educating 3-6 year olds.
Through the generosity of the Verizon Foundation, we were able to create a website to announce local United Way activities. Our site is www.uwrutlandcounty.org.
I would personally like to thank all of our United Way Member Agencies for your dedication in support of our great community, as well as the United Way staff of Candy Hall, Donna Blow and Carolyn Brown for the work they do to support United WayÕs efforts in our community.
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