United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Board Chair Chuck Flynt drove home the need for giving this year to a hurting community at the 2009 Campaign Kickoff yesterday. “We are faced with even greater needs in one of the most severe economic downturns most of us will ever see,” Flynt said. “We all know people who need our help right here, right now.”
Flynt cited startling statistics, including budget and bankruptcy service calls made to Consumer Credit Counseling having more than doubled since last year. The Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro reported an increase in services by 30% from last year’s record levels. Additionally, the number of families on the waiting lists for daycare subsidies through Guilford Child Development exceeds 500, meaning many pre-school children are not receiving quality daycare.
These examples of increased needs are but some of the reasons for the 2009 United Way of Greater Greensboro’s campaign goal of $12.5 million. The goal reflects the strong commitment of United Way and its partner agencies to respond to the needs of the community. To meet this goal, unprecedented support from current donors and especially new donors will be necessary. This is due in part to the more than $600,000 in 2008 gifts which will not be renewed in 2009. Currently, it will take at least 5,000 new donors to close the gap on such a significant loss.
To demonstrate commitment to the 2009 campaign, all 38 members of the United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Board of Directors responded with their 2009 campaign contributions, raising $212,000 for a 10% increase over last year. The Alexis de Tocqueville campaign contributed by adding $66,000 in new dollars to date. Last year the de Tocqueville campaign raised over $2.3 million.
