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What exactly is
"United Way?"
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United Way is a
volunteer system designed to identify and anticipate community
needs, develop plans to address those needs, and raise the
financial resources to do so.
Volunteers allocate the funds
raised each year to local member agencies. These agencies
provide a full range of human care services representing the
needs and concerns of all age and economic groups.
United Way is run by a local
volunteer Board, which sets policy and direction for paid
staff. The staff guides and coordinates all volunteer
activities such as allocations, the fundraising campaign,
planning and communications. |
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What is United Way of
Lebanon County? |
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United Way of
Lebanon County is an independent, locally governed United Way
which serves the people of Lebanon County. |
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What happens to the
money I give to the United Way of Lebanon County?
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Your gift to
United Way of Lebanon County is used to fund 28 important human
service agencies that help people with needs. Our United Way
helps deserving families have affordable day care, maintain a
shelter for abused women and children, and much more. If you
want to know more about the programs our United Way funds, check
out the information on Agencies on this site. |
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Who decided where my
money goes?
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Our United. Way uses over 40 experienced volunteers from all
parts of the community to examine the agencies' annual requests
for funds. The volunteers, divided into teams, visit each
agency site and meet in a formal hearing with the agency
leadership. They evaluate each organization's budget and track
record in providing services and base their funding
recommendations on that information. Our United Way's Board of
Directors, which consists of 39 volunteers, reviews and approves
these recommendations. |
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Why should I
contribute through the United Way?
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Sure you can,
but we have a way of making sure your money is wisely spent.
United Way volunteers review each organization we fund, so you
can be sure your money is being used to provide the best service
possible for the most people. Knowing that this investigative
work already has been done is one benefit of giving to the
United Way of Lebanon County. Also, your one contribution goes
a long way toward funding a whole network of programs that
attack a wide range of community problems. When you give to the
United Way of Lebanon County, you don't just support one part,
you support a whole, interconnected system that works. |
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Should I feel
pressured to give?
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Absolutely not! Pressure defeats the very idea of voluntary
giving. United Way of Lebanon County does believe in giving
every member of the community the opportunity to hear about the
needs of the community and the opportunity to help address those
needs, if they so desire. Giving is a personal decision.
Individuals should have the freedom to choose when to give and
how much. |
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What is the
relationship between the United Way of Lebanon County and the
United Way of America?
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United Way of Lebanon County is an independent, autonomous
organization governed strictly by a local 39 member Board of
Directors who make all decisions about what we do and how we do
ti.
United Way of Lebanon County pays dues totaling less than 1
percent raised here to belong to United Way of America.
Membership allows the use of the United Way logo, NFL
advertising promotions, market research, training for
professional staff and volunteers, and monitoring of legislative
issues on a national basis. United Way of America has no
governing authority over United Way of Lebanon County. |
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Does United Way of
Lebanon County fund abortion services?
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No. Some local United Ways choose to provide funding for family
planning services, which are usually offered through Planned
Parenthood. United Way of Lebanon County does not fund this
service now, nor have we in the past. |
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Does United Way of
Lebanon County endorse or support gun control?
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No. United Way of Lebanon County does not believe that gun
control is a human service issue and has never taken any
position that could be considered as endorsing or supporting the
idea. |
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How efficient is the
United Way?
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Only 12% of the money contributed to the United Way is used for
campaign expenses and administration. That's particularly
impressive when you consider that the nationally accepted
average for non-profit administrative costs is 40%. |
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I don't use any United
Way services. Why should I support them?
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It's possible that you will never use a United Way service. But
since one of out every three Lebanon County residents benefits
from a United Way service, chances are good that you will. A
United Way gift ensures that the services will be there when
needed...whether by you, your family, or your neighbors. |
