Wednesday’s editorial offers an update on the United Way campaigns going on up and down the Grand Strand:
United Way annual fundraising campaigns in both Georgetown and Horry counties have reached or passed 80 percent of the goals, keeping volunteers confident about meeting expectations for nearly 70 nonprofit programs providing a wide range of services.
The Georgetown County United Way has 80 percent of its $470,000 goal; the United Way of Horry County stands at 84 percent of its $1,275,000 goal and passed the $1 million point earlier in January.
“That was huge – to start off the new year” reaching $1,046,000 in contributions and pledges on Jan. 6, says Julie Kopnicky, marketing and communications coordinator at the United Way of Horry County. The annual fundraising campaign, which started in September, reached $1,074,102 as of Monday, leaving $200,000 to go. Campaign chairwoman Cathe Singleton is working with leaders in all seven areas of the Horry campaign: industry, professional, Myrtle Beach, North Strand, South Strand, inland (Conway, Loris, Aynor) and public service. The latter includes municipal and county governments, Horry County Schools, hospitals, Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
An expanded telephone blitz is planned for February, Kopnicky says, with board members and as many as 100 volunteers. A telephone campaign last February included board members and a few volunteers. The blitz will be done on an afternoon at a Myrtle Beach location. Singleton says the phone blitz “last year was very successful.” She points out “the needs are greater” with unemployment still a problem for many.
“We’re right in line with previous campaigns,” Kopnicky says. The United Way of Horry County supports 45 community partners ranging from basic needs nonprofits such as units of the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, three Helping Hand organizations and Churches Assisting People (CAP) in Conway to youth and family programs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs and Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA. Other services are provided by Citizens Against Spouse Abuse (CASA), Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center, Rape Crisis Center, GRACE Ministries, Horry County Council on Aging and Mobile Meals of the Grand Strand.
The Georgetown County goal ($470,000) is $20,000 higher than in recent campaigns, United Way executive director Pat Strickland says. “Industries have done a phenomenal job” in their fundraising – the Georgetown Hospital System drive is still to come – and the campaign now will concentrate on small businesses and individuals as the annual allocations process nears. Health, education and financial stability will be the focus areas in the process. The United Way has 24 community partners. Strickland also is planning for a marketing splash for the United Way’s new website.
Philip Keilen is working with the drive as a consultant, filling in for Lynn Ford who is in a new position with the United Way Association of South Carolina. A Georgetown native, Strickland has been with the United Way since 1993 and its executive director since late 2000.
To help
Georgetown County United Way has a new website where folks may donate to the current drive or volunteer. Visit
Phone | 843-546-6317
To contact the United Way of Horry County for information or to make a contribution or pledge:
Phone | 843-347-5195
Online | www.liveunitedhorrycounty.org
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