The United Way of the Coastal Empire kicked-off its 2020 annual fundraising with a goal of $8 million. Typically, kick-off means a big event with hundreds of donors and volunteers gathering at the Savannah Civic Center. Due to the pandemic, the organization celebrated the campaign entirely via social media and with creative support from local media friends.
Funds raised from this annual campaign will be used to support some of the region’s best-performing nonprofit agencies that are working on the frontline to ensure that every child has the potential to succeed, adults can provide for their families, and everyone can lead a healthy life.
The generosity of our business community leads the way. In 2019, workplace giving accounted for nearly 85% of the annual campaign. Led this year by Campaign Chair Chief Terry Enoch, Chief of Police of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, United Way will continue to conduct its workplace giving campaigns via video-conferencing and physically distanced-presentations.
The needs in our four-county area – Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty – continue to grow as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring new challenges. In our region, nearly 120,000 individuals and families were living paycheck to paycheck with no reserves even before the pandemic. Many of these hard-working individuals had two or three jobs to make ends meet. They make more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to cover a bare-bones household budget. The cost of living outpaces their earning ability. And now, many have lost some or all of their income.
United Way’s annual fundraising campaign will run from September 10 through November 19.
Individuals who need help can call 2-1-1. Anyone who wants to contribute can do so by visiting uwce.org or texting IMPROVE to 40403.
About United Way of the Coastal Empire
The mission of United Way of the Coastal Empire is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.
United Way conducts an annual fundraising campaign and invests donor contributions in programs and services within three impact areas: Education, Financial Stability, and Health. United Way serves Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties.
United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that involves hundreds of community leaders, professionals, and other volunteers in every aspect of our business, including fundraising, marketing, and funding decisions, to ensure that donors’ donations are truly making a difference.
Thanks to the Herschel V. Jenkins Trust Fund and other income, which covers almost all administrative and fundraising costs, donor contributions go to help people in need.
For more information, please visit uwce.org.