Graham Area United Way kicks off fundraising campaign, sets $100,000 goal

Graham Area United Way kicked off their 2019-2020 fundraising campaign Tuesday announcing their goal of $100,000. The organization raised a total of $53,811.95, or 53% of their goal, through their efforts before the kickoff campaign.

GAUW began March 3,1956 during a meeting of the civic committee of the Graham Chamber of Commerce. Since then, the organization has grown to encompass 250-plus volunteers on the executive board, board of directors, allocation board, campaign organization cabinet, packet workers, public speakers and individuals from businesses which assist through employee pledges and programs.

Ten local agencies are supported by the funds provided by GAUW. Those organizations are Bethel Children’s Daycare, Graham Backpack Buddies, Graham Girls Softball, Graham Youth Baseball, Meals-On-Wheels, The Salvation Army - Graham Unit, Graham Senior Citizen Center, Virginia’s House Family Resource Center, Young County 4-H Club and the Young County Child Welfare Board.

Graham ISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse is serving as the 2019-2020 campaign chair for GAUW. He said one thing which made him consider moving to Graham and applying to be superintendent was the giving nature of the community.

“One of the reasons I was interested in Graham the first time (I applied to be superintendent) and even the second time, is Graham has a reputation and Graham helps Graham,” Cruse said. “(...)If there is something in Graham that people need the good people of Graham and this community step up and deliver and that is exactly what we do at United Way. We step up to deliver.”

Cruse said it is a personal challenge this year to get those he speaks with to consider giving $10 per agency over ten months of the year. He said setting aside $100 for GAUW will make a difference for these organizations.

“We are building bridges that help the children. We are building bridges that help our senior citizens. We are building bridges for the neglected, the abused,” Cruse said.

Before GAUW kicks off their fundraising season, they have three groups which raise funding for the program which are the pacesetters, advance gifts and education program. In the pacesetters section, the employees of Ciera Bank, Graham Interbank, First State Bank, Graham Savings, United Supermarket and Walmart raised $17,010.83, 85% of their total goal of $20,000 and 17% of the total goal.

In the advanced gifts section, which includes area businesses, banks and individuals, a total of $27,214, or 91% was raised of their total goal of $30,000 and 27% of the total goal. In the education program, GISD and their employees raised $9,587.12, or 113% of their goal of $8,500 and 9% of the total goal.

“The boyfriend was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child and was imprisoned,” Remington said. “Our family advocate, Joy’s CASA and mentor were with her throughout the trial to bring her encouragement. Through much work and the CASA volunteers encouragement, Joy was placed back with her mother and they both continued to thrive.”

Remington said she shared the story to the group because of the bridges built by the organization through the story. She said through donations and volunteer support the organization is able to operate and make a difference in the community.

“We could not help children, like Joy, without volunteers and community involvement,” she said. “It took all three programs and many people to make Joy’s world better. United Way funds help us to do just that, make a better world for children.”

For more information or how to make a donation to GAUW, visit https://grahamareaunitedway.com/ or call 940-549-5152.

For the rest of the story, see the Saturday, Sept. 28 edition of The Graham Leader.