This has been a challenging year for our nation and our community. We’ve faced a global pandemic and resulting financial crisis, a divisive election and a necessary outcry for social justice, all while feeling distanced from those around us. But through it all we’ve also witnessed so much good – neighbors supporting local businesses, nonprofits forging partnerships to better coordinate services, companies taking a hard look at their policies on equity and countless people stepping up to care for their community.

While our campaign participation has decreased this year, those who are able to give are digging deep to give more – an inspiring trend that underscores we are all in this together. Still, organizations like ours are bracing for a 20% drop in annual revenue while demand for services rises due to the impacts of COVID-19:

40,000 more people unemployed
30,000 new families struggling to make ends meet
Children sliding a full grade level backwards, more for low-income students
21% of all rental households behind on rent and evictions rising
54% increase in food insecurity
Increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicide and substance abuse
In 2021, our work will be more critical than ever as we help our community recover. And we can’t do it without you!
If you have already made a gift, I thank you for your support, and ask you to consider United Way in your end of year giving plans. If you haven’t made a gift this year, please consider making one today using the envelope enclosed in our annual report. If ever there was a year to dig deep for the community, this is it.

Together, we will continue to create a brighter future for the 757 in the new year and beyond.

Thank you,

Michele Anderson
President & CEO

P.S. The CARES Act provides increased tax incentives for charitable giving in 2020 including the ability to deduct up to $300 for cash donations without itemizing. As always, we recommend consulting your tax professional for further guidance.