Charity begins at home, support local agencies

As the saying goes, a little bit of effort from an army of people is better than a great deal of effort from a small number of people.
The concept of many people working toward a united goal is at the heart of the annual United Way fundraising drive. The appeal is that people give two or three dollars from their paychecks each week and when pooled with money from hundreds of others in the community, it will amount to tens of thousands of dollars used to support local non-profit agencies.
The same concept holds true for other fundraising efforts such as the Salvation Army Kettle Drive. The pocket change or few dollars shoved into the plastic buckets may not seem like a big deal, but combined with other donations in the community can result in a great deal of good being done.
From collection baskets and giving trees in churches to the volunteers ringing bells outside the stores, it seems that everyone has their hand out this holiday season and it becomes a challenge for those who wish to give to decide which worthy cause is most deserving of support. While there are many organizations on the state, national and international level which do good works, one criteria to use when making donations is to see how much of the money raised goes to provide service and how much to salaries and what portion of those funds stays in the community or are sent off to the head office.
Given the double digit unemployment rates that have hit the region through much of the past year and the announcements that those with jobs are seeing their wages frozen or cut and hours reduced, it is no wonder the need is there. During periods of economic trouble, the need for services goes up at the same time that those agencies providing services are struggling to make ends meet. Considering most non profit agencies operate on a shoe string budget, a dip in resources available translates into major cuts to services.
The solution is for those who can give to give. Pledging to United Way through payroll deduction is a painless way to give and spread the donation throughout the year. Those small amounts add up quickly when we all share in the load of making sure those in need in our communities have their needs met.
In times such as these, it is important to look beyond our immediate needs to address the needs in the greater community and for all of us to take our share of the burden in helping provide services to those in need.