United Way Of High Point Looking For Heroes

High Point, NC-- The United Way of Greater High Point has announced that the 2009 fund-raising campaign may fall short of its $4,500,000 goal by as much as $300,000.

As of Monday, November 30, the 2009 United Way of Greater High Point campaign has raised $3,306,673, or 73% of its goal.

"This anticipated drop in United Way funds will have devastating consequences on some of Greater High Point's most vulnerable citizens," said Bobby Smith, President of the United Way of Greater High Point. "We continue to see increasing needs across all the services provided by our 29 partner agencies, and in emergency assistance in particular --- food, rent, utilities, prescription medication, and clothing."

The 2008 campaign, which concluded in January 2009, raised $4,526,000. On average, United Way partner agencies took a 5% cut in funding for Fiscal Year 2009 - 2010. If the forecast for the 2009 campaign results is accurate, United Way officials expect another funding cut of approximately 7% - 10% to critical health and human service programs funded with United Way dollars.

"We wanted to make our community aware of this situation with the campaign at this point, because there is still time for people hearing this message to take action to lessen the deficit we are facing," said Bobby Smith. "This campaign is still active, and if the people of High Point, Archdale, Trinity, and Jamestown will continue to make donations, we can minimize the cuts to vital health and human service programs. Every single dollar matters at this point."

"We knew our 2009 goal was ambitious in light of the economy," said Smith, "but with needs in our community so great, and increasing every day, our volunteers felt so strongly that we couldn't attempt to raise less for our partner agencies."

Smith recently asked the non-profit agencies who depend on United Way funding to detail the impact of funding reductions ( 7 % - 10%) on these programs.

Responses included the following:

• Alcohol and Drug Services has already been forced to reduce its staff by 15%; cuts by United Way could further imperil programs and staff.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters anticipates closing 2 site-based programs at schools if United Way funding is reduced, eliminating matches between 70 "Littles" (children) and their adult mentors ("Bigs). Big Brothers Big Sisters already has a waiting list of over 200 children for lack of funding and volunteers; this would put that number closer to 300 children on the waiting list.
• In the event that United Way funding is significantly reduced, The Boys & Girls Clubs of High Point reports that staff positions would have to be cut or reduced, leading to less children being served.
• From Family Service of the Piedmont: United Way funds support FSP's sliding fee scale for clients of the Outpatient Mental Health programs. Many of these clients have severe needs that require weekly visits for an extended period of time. A 7% cut would mean 66 fewer clients served next year; a 10% cut would cause FSP to turn away at least 95 clients in need of mental health services.
• Family Service of the Piedmont also receives United Way dollars for consumer credit counseling, a Family Preservation program, a Healthy Start program, and services at the Fairview Family Resource Center in High Point. A reduction in United Way dollars threatens staff positions and services to at least an additional 43 families.
• The Mental Health Association, which has also reduced staffing, has been highly impacted by state and federal cuts already.
• Triad Health Project reports that a 7 - 10% cut by United Way would have a significant impact on its client transportation program, and many of those clients would be unable to get to important medical appointments at Baptist Hospital and the VA.
• Senior Resources of Guilford has seen a steady increase in the numbers of elderly adults requesting help --- especially with food and the Mobile Meals program --- for some time. United Way funding cuts potentially mean serving fewer senior citizens in need at their Community Nutrition Sites and through Mobile Meals.

The 2009 campaign will collect contributions through January 2010, and will publicly conclude with an event in late January.

To give to the United Way of Greater High Point's 2009 campaign, benefitting 29 local partner agencies serving High Point, Archdale, Trinity, and Jamestown:

Donations may be mailed to United Way of Greater High Point, 201 Church Avenue, High Point, NC, 27262. Donations may be made "in honor of" or "in memory of" special people. For more information, call 883-1077.

Donations can also be made online at our secure website, www.unitedwayhp.org.  

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