A Year in Review -

A Message from Marleen Cenate, 2009 Volunteer Immediate Past President

This has been an incredibly difficult year for our nation, but a year that has seen our community pull together through difficult times.   The $560,000 United Way campaign goal seemed an impossibility only a couple of months ago.  For the first time in many years, United Way had to adjust our campaign goal downward to address the economic realities of business and individuals in our community.  The slumping economy seemed to put the strength of our local United Way in jeopardy. Today, with the generosity of our many donors, coupled with the incredibly visible support our community receives from United Way Member Agencies, we have met our campaign goal.    Businesses, employees and community residents pulled together to insure that those who need help in our community will receive it in 2010.

A great deal of appreciation for United Way’s success this year goes to our local media for continually keeping United Way activities visible in our community.  The Rutland Herald, Catamount Radio, Sam’s Good News, PEG TV, Comcast, The Rutland Business Journal, Tree Frog Studio and WestView Digital Video & Design kept our community informed of United Way and United Way agency activities. 

Through the United Way allocation process, volunteers will distribute funds collected through our annual campaign to over 30 non-profit health and human service organizations.  These organizations support our friends and neighbors in the areas of basic needs and housing, alcohol and drug problems, children’s services, family services, youth services, general health services, elderly services and rehabilitation.  The agencies combined efforts last year to support over 28,000 requests for assistance from every town in Rutland County .   With 2-1-1, access to services from United Way funded agencies and many others are available with a simple call. The 2-1-1 support line has seen calls almost double from the prior year, making United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline the single best way for Vermonters to reach the services they need in their community.  Each of us can feel proud that through our support of United Way we strengthened the community in which we live, work and play.   Thank you for your support of United Way of Rutland County.