United Way Day in Calhoun County
United Way of Calhoun County’s Annual Fundraising Drive was kicked off by a proclamation naming Tuesday, August 23, as United Way Day in Calhoun County. Shown above at the proclamation signing are, left to right: Port Lavaca Mayor Jack Whitlow; Seadrift Mayor Elmer DeForest; Allen Tharling, United Way Board President; Calhoun County Judge Michael J. Pfeifer; Point Comfort Mayor Pam Lambden; and Carolyn Adrian, United Way Executive Director.
-Photo courtesy of Port Lavaca Wave
“Positively Impacting Lives in Calhoun County”
The mission of the United Way of Calhoun County is….”to help increase the organized capacity of people in Calhoun County to care for one another”. The single, county-wide campaign, which began this month, is the most organized, efficient and accountable system for investing in our county.
The United Way of Calhoun County is a locally incorporated, non-profit organization that has been in operation since 1957. Three individuals, whose generosity have touched many other citizens and organizations in Calhoun County, established the organization which has become the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in Calhoun County. George Fred Rhodes, Howard Hartzog, Sr. and Sam Faubion all knew the value of caring for and supporting those in need. Their legacy continues today with an organization that has raised over $2.7 million during the past 11 years .
What Does United Way Do?
The United Way brings together a cross-section of citizens and agencies in a county-wide effort to raise the level of community awareness regarding social needs in order to provide human service programs in the most efficient and effective way. It works through fifteen social service and health agencies in Calhoun County. The United Way is not just another fundraising campaign. It is the single largest voluntary effort which supports essential human care service agencies. It plans service priorities to meet future community needs and evaluates those services to be sure they meet high performance standards. It is the leading organization that encourages individual involvement to improve social conditions and promotes honesty, integrity and a true sense of service in communities.
Health Services
Providing primary and preventive care to low-income persons, elderly, and children.
Youth Services
Providing positive, structured programs to build self-esteem and leadership skills in youth.
Volunteer Services
Linking volunteers with agencies and groups in need of assistance.
Victim’s Assistance
Assisting victims of domestic violence and rape through intervention services.
Educating the public through prevention programs.
Disaster Services
Providing emergency assistance to those in need.
Providing disaster preparedness training.
Family Services
Strengthening families through parenting and mentoring programs.
Assisting families through counseling.
Providing families with quality childcare.
How agencies utilize funds:
• Pledge of $1 per pay period ($26 annually) – provides a 1-year membership in Girl Scouts for two young women living in low income areas and provides the opportunity to participate in the Girl Scout Outreach Program
• Pledge of $5 per pay period ($130 annually) – provides a 1-year membership in Girl Scouts for two young women living in low income areas and participate in the Girl Scout Outreach Program
• Funded the “Backpack Program” for the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, serving two schools in CCISD by providing weekend backpacks loaded with kid-friendly food, enough for 100 elementary students
• Allowed STARS (South Texas Assessment and Referral Service) to provide developmental follow-up care for 33 young patients from Calhoun County
• Provided YMCA 85 family membership scholarships (approximately 300 individuals)
• Helps fund the Calhoun County Senior Citizens Center Meals on Wheels program, delivering 100 meals daily throughout Calhoun County
• Helped fund The Harbor Children’s Alliance and Victim Center’s educational presentations in Calhoun County Schools on Character, Bullying Awareness and Prevention, Internet Safety, Dating Violence, Boundaries, Peer Pressure, Sexual Harassment and Anger Management
• Helped provide the Salvation Army with emergency funding to help families with emergency shelter, gasoline, bus fare, etc.
• Helped provide funding to the Calhoun County Community Ministries and assist 400+ families with food, rent and utility payments, prescriptions and extras like formula, diapers and fans.
During the past 10-11 years:
• Has raised over $2.7 million in Calhoun County
• Provided over $1.9 million to 15 partner agencies who provides programs and services to all residents in Calhoun County.
How is United Way Accountable?
• United Way’s monthly financial statements are reviewed by the volunteers who serve on the finance committee, executive committee, and Board of Directors.
• Budget and Allocation Committee volunteers oversee the distribution of money to local agencies and make final agency funding decisions. This process is what sets United Way of Calhoun County apart from other non-profit organizations and federations.
• United Way’s low overhead costs (approximately 17% of their annual budget) means more of your dollars go to the people you want to help.
2011 United Way of Calhoun County Campaign Cabinet:
Chair – Steve Marwitz (Formosa Plastics)
Co-Chair – Bob Turner (City of Port Lavaca)
Divisions Division Chair(s)
Industry – Bob Coen, Pam Bales (Inteplast Group, Ltd.)
F.I.R.E. (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) – Linda and Bob Bonar (State Farm Insurance)
Professional – Sara Marwitz Rodriguez (Kleim & Rodriguez, Attorneys at Law)
Public Service – Bob Turner (City of Port Lavaca)
Retail – Damon Donoho (Walgreens)
Small Business – Tina Crow (Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce), Janice Holladay
Education – Billy Wiggins (CCISD), Laurie Harvey (Victoria College Calhoun County Center)
Residential/Direct Mail – Jeanine Kainer
Non-Profit – Kathy Hunt (UWCC Board of Directors)
2011-12 Pacesetter Companies:
Alcoa; Calhoun County Independent School District; Russell Cain Real Estate; Dow Seadrift Operations; First National Bank; Formosa Plastics; HEB; Ineos Nitriles; International Bank of Commerce; Inteplast Group, Ltd.; Memorial Medical Center; Seadrift Coke; Testengeer, Inc.; Turner Industries
