United Way campaign year off to good start

Published 10:28 am Sunday, September 6, 2015

One of Orange County’s most worthwhile organizations has begun its annual campaign fundraising program for the coming year.

The United Way of Orange County’s 2015-2016 fundraising campaign is now in full swing and off to a good start, according to director Linn Cardner.

“We are off to a good start and we look to be on target thus far,” Cardner said.

For the first time in the past three years, Cardner said the United Way of Orange County met its goal of $850,000 in 2014-2015. For the new fundraising year, the organization has increase its goal to $875,000.

“The needs of the agencies we help are greater this year, so the budget committee decided to try and meet more of those needs by increasing the goal,” Cardner added. “Our slogan this year is ‘Nothing is Impossible.’ That means it is not impossible for us to reach this goal. We can do it.”

Funds donated to the United Way of Orange County are invested by a network of experienced volunteers into the “basic building blocks” for a good life and programs, which assist in areas of education, income, health and basic needs.

The United Way of Orange County assists more than 20 agencies across the area with funding, which is donated by businesses and individuals. Some of these organizations include Orange County Action Association, Southeast Texas Hospice, Salvation Army, Vidor Children’s Fund, Community Coalition, Greater Orange Area Literacy Services, YMCA of Southeast Texas, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire USA, Girl Scouts, OCARC and many others.

As of Friday morning, approximately $153,000, or 20 percent, of the fundraising goal has already been donated through corporate pledges for the coming year.

Visit www.unitedwayoforangecounty.org or call 409-883-3591 for more information on the United Way of Orange County.