United Way invites you to give to others

Would you consider a year-end donation to United Way of Perry County? Before you say no, please take a minute to read on. To date the 2009 campaign has raised almost $65,000, only half of our goal of $125,000.

While we are obviously short of our goal, we sincerely understand how we have all been forced to tighten our belts during these rocky economic times. The campaign, however, is more than simply talking about dollars. More importantly, the campaign affects many people in Perry County.

Without achieving our goal, or at least coming closer to realizing it, many people in our community will feel the effects.

We are so grateful to the people and businesses who have given so far, and we realize they have been as generous as possible in their efforts. However, we are now appealing to those who haven't had the opportunity to make a contribution before the end of the year.

Funds raised by United Way of Perry County remain in our local community for distribution to local agencies to assist them in carrying out their missions. And their goals are most definitely people-oriented: strengthening families and individuals, improving health and well-being and caring for people in crisis.

Residents and businesses may send donations directly to the United Way of Perry County, P.O. Box 73, Tell City, IN 47586.

Any donations, no matter how large or small, bring us one step closer to our goal. And keep in mind that all donations are tax deductible.

In keeping with our message to "Live United," your help in meeting our campaign goal, and more importantly, meeting critical needs of people in our county who need it the most, would be sincerely appreciated. Programs such as Holiday Helpers United, the Perry County Food Coalition, Family Wize Discount Prescription Card, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Days of Caring and Stuff the Bus could not exist without the generosity demonstrated by giving citizens in this community

Together we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow for the citizens in Perry County. But we need your help. Give because it makes you feel good, give in the spirit of the holiday season, or give because you itemize your tax deductions.

Whether any or all of these reasons to give apply to you, your gift counts. Would you please consider a year-end donation to United Way?

Elder is chairwoman of the 2009 campaign.