Be Our Guest, Bryce Malsbary

The 2011 United Way of Henderson County campaign kicked off on September 16 with an aggressive goal of $1,900, 212. This goal represented a significant increase over last year’s campaign in part because, in the spring of 2011, funding requests from our partner agencies were in excess of $2 million.

Why the increase in funding requests? Henderson County residents are experiencing the effects of the down economy, decreased government spending on human services and the continued uncertainty of tomorrow. We are facing tough challenges. This is the time our generous community needs to reach out and lend a helping hand to those in need.

In this past year’s funding cycle, 30 agencies received United Way funds. These agencies provide services that help impact individuals and families to sustain and improve their lives.

Let me give a few examples of where your generous contributions go to help Henderson County residents. Your donations to the 2010 campaign are currently going towards:

Parenting skills for over 50 families through Parents as Teachers Program at the Children and Family Resource Center.
Adult literacy for 192 individuals through programs provided by the Blue Ridge Literacy Council.
Home repairs to over 100 low-income households to help maintain affordable housing through the Housing Assistance Corporation.
Apple Country Transit Ride Passes to 100 individuals through WCCA’s The Ride Program improving access to work, food and healthcare.
Increased community wellness and prevention through membership scholarships for 150 low-income individuals at the YMCA.
Holistic medical care and support for 65 patients suffering with serious illness through the Palliative Care Program at Four Seasons.
Emergency assistance resources to meet basic needs for 1,456 clients through the Salvation Army.
1,265 MANNA packs providing supplemental food to children identified at risk for hunger and distributed through 19 Henderson County Schools.

If you are a current donor, thank you. Last year the United Way of Henderson County received contributions from about 11% of Henderson County residents. We appreciate that generous support.

However, imagine if another 10% of our 100,000 residents each gave a contribution of only $25. Just that small amount would generate another $250,000 toward our campaign total. Think of the impact that would make for our agencies to improve education, income, and health for those in need.

Giving $25 to this year’s campaign wouldn’t be too difficult. What might a family sacrifice to give back to this community? A family of four might miss a movie and popcorn or a drive through dinner. Is that too much to ask when you can make an improvement in someone’s life?

If you have been a donor in the past, please consider giving again this year. If you have never given before, please embrace your community by making a contribution of $25. Become a donor, advocate and volunteer who supports our community’s needs and promotes the vision of improving lives. You can go online to www.liveunitedhc.org and click “Give Now” to make your contribution; you can mail your donation to PO Box 487, Hendersonville, NC 28793; or you can call 692-1636. This is our community and let’s all participate in making it better for everyone.

Rising Leaders to Graduate

After eight months of education and community service, nineteen members of United Way of Henderson County’s Rising Leaders Program are ready to graduate and start making a difference as volunteers with Henderson County non-profits.

Launched last September, this was the pilot year of the Rising Leaders Program, sponsored by Friday Staffing. United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) created the free program as a direct response to a need that many Henderson County non-profit agencies had expressed - a need for access to the next generation of board members and key volunteers.

Rising Leaders participants, young professionals representing a wide variety of Henderson County businesses and organizations, received training in the essential knowledge and skills for board service: the demographics and needs of our community; the principles of governance and management of a non-profit; the rights and responsibilities of board members; best practices of financial and legal leadership; the basics of fundraising; and the power of advocacy. Participants also collectively completed over 400 hours of community service within Henderson County during the program, volunteering with American Red Cross, Mainstay, Salvation Army and 30 other local organizations.

On April 24, the Rising Leaders Program will hold a graduation celebration at the Southern Appalachian Brewery beginning at 5:00 pm. In addition to the graduates and United Way staff and volunteers, representatives from 18 Henderson County non-profits will be on hand, ready to meet these trained and eager volunteers. Graduates and Agency Directors will participate in a “speed-dating” activity to explore volunteer opportunities at the various non-profits. During fast-paced, two minute conversations, Rising Leaders will introduce themselves, sharing the interests and the skills that they will bring to non-profit service. Agency Directors will explain the work that their organizations do, and hopefully, some “matches” will be made!

The 2011-2012 Rising Leaders Program graduates are: Rachel Beal, Diversified Clinical Services; Ryan Cannon, First Citizens Bank; David Crist, Pardee Hospital; Adam Fisher, Henderson County Family YMCA; Pamela Herbst, Pardee Hospital; Jennifer Israel, Mission Hospital; Marcus Jones, Henderson County Government; James Kelly, Aging Projects, Inc.; Nitiki Kilgore, Agape Services; Randy Maples, Eaton Corporation; Jama Maples, Eaton Corporation; Chad Merrill; Blue Ridge Community College; Brandon Nudd, Park Ridge Health; Lisa Sargent, Friday Staffing Services; Brett Shaffer, Morrow Insurance Agency; Wesley Wells, Pardee Hospital; Melanie White, Department of Commerce, Division of Welfare Solutions; Jay Wilderman, First Citizens Bank; and Erica Woodall, Mills River United Methodist Church.

The Rising Leaders Program is a creation of United Way of Henderson County’s Rising Leaders Committee. Chaired by Graham Fields of Park Ridge Health, the committee members are: Christina DeStefano, Henderson County Government; Josh Hallingse, Partnership for Economic Development; April Killough, Blue Ridge Community College; Summer Stipe, Children and Family Resource Center; and Melissa Walden, Pardee Hospital.

UWHC will be accepting applications for the 2012/2013 Rising Leaders Program beginning on May 15. Application materials will be available at an informational event that evening at Never Blue (119 South Main Street) from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend this free event; please call 692-1636 or email dspitzer@liveunitedhc.org to rsvp. After May 15, application materials will also be available on the UWHC website at liveunitedhc.org/rising-leaders. Please contact Sarah Kowalak at 692-1636 or skowalak@liveunitedhc.org for more information about the Rising Leaders Program.