United Way Services campaign in full swing
United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County's 2008-09 campaign is in full swing. Campaign volunteers have fanned out across northern Columbiana County to raise funds to support 22 agencies providing services to the East Palestine, Columbiana, Leetonia, Lisbon, Washingtonville, Salem and surrounding areas. More than $26,000 has been pledged or contributed towards the campaign goal of $244,000.
All agencies receiving United Way support assist in the campaign. They are contacting more than 1,100 companies and businesses across the service area to explain how critical the needs are in the area and to solicit generous support. There are more than 1,600 individuals and families in the United Way database who received mail solicitation. Additionally, 3,000 pledge packets are being distributed among the corporations, schools and local governments throughout the area.
"As the economy has worsened in Columbiana County, our agencies are reporting a significant increase in the demand for service," said United Way executive director George W. S. Hays. "We recognize that our goal is ambitious, but we owe our agencies and the communities we serve our best fund-raising effort," Hays said.
Based on 2007 statistics reported by United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County agencies, more than 92,000 service deliveries occurred in 2007. Among the wide array of services provided: skilled nursing, adult day care and respite care, interpretative services, housing assistance, assistance with rent, utilities and prescriptions, after school programs, counseling and referral, mentoring, pain management, domestic violence shelter, camping, home aides, occupational, physical and speech therapy, blood donation, senior citizen programming, exercise and wellness programming, leadership training and character building, immunizations, transportation, scouting, substance abuse education and intervention, volunteerism, nutrition education, spiritual development, disaster relief, shut-in visitation, environmental and natural world education, decision making and coping skills training, food pantries, and personal empowerment opportunities.
All contributions to United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County are expended locally to help people in the service area. United Way is proud to be recognized for leadership in ethics, accountability, and high standards. All United Way agencies are non-profit organizations and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Anyone wishing to make a pledge or contribution to the 2008-09 Campaign can contact the United Way office at 330-337-0310. Checks made payable to SCF/United Way will be supplemented by the Salem Community Foundation with an additional 10 percent gift. United Way can issue quarterly or monthly reminders for those wishing to spread a gift across 12 months.
In addition to local United Way agencies' services, individuals have access to programs promoted by United Way of America, such as the 2-1-1 information and referral system and the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card.
Using a FamilyWize prescription discount drug card can result in savings of an average of 35 percent. There are no age, income and usage restrictions. Cards can be used for any prescription medication not covered by insurance. Cards are available at the United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County office located in the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 713 E. State St., Salem.
Columbiana County residents have saved nearly $84,000 since the program was first introduced in 2007. The average savings locally has been $18.33 per prescription or 38 percent.
The FamilyWize program began in 2005 when the Lehigh Valley (PA) United Way began distributing discount prescription cards. Since then, United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County and more than 675 United Way agencies nationwide have joined thousands of community agencies and local governments to distribute the free discount cards. More than 53,000 local and national chain pharmacies participate in the program that enable anyone without prescription drug coverage to obtain medications at discounted prices matching or nearly matching what major insurers provide.
The 2-1-1 is an easy to remember number that connects callers to information about health and human services available in the local area. The 2-1-1 was begun by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta in 1997. Today 80 percent of the country's population has access to 2-1-1 service in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The 2-1-1 has bipartisan support from national and state governments and local United Ways across the country.
The Help Hotline Crisis Center in Youngstown provides 2-1-1 service 24 hours a day, seven days a week for Columbiana and Mahoning counties. The 2-1-1 service helps United Way meets its mission of improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.
The 2-1-1 is an excellent beginning point for people in need of services, but who have no knowledge of what services may be available or which agency provides a specific service, be it food, clothing, shelter, day care, job training, transportation assistance, summer camp or recreational programs, mentoring and tutoring youth, counseling, substance intervention and rehabilitation, home health and respite care, etc. A study by the University of Texas Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources concluded in December that the value of 2-1-1 service across the nation will reach $1.1 billion over the next decade.
Included in the Agency Catalog are:
- A.I.D. Inc. (Action, Information, Direction)
- American Red Cross Greater Pottery Area Chapter
- Arthritis Foundation-Northeast Ohio Chapter
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Boy Scouts of America
- Camp Fire USA-Tayanoka Council
- Catholic Charities Regional Agency
- Christians' Concern of Leetonia
- Columbiana Area Meals on Wheels
- Family Recovery Center
- Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio
- Habitat for Humanity of Northern Columbiana County
- Home Care Advantage
- Lisbon Senior Citizens
- Quota Club International of Salem Inc., Salem Area Speech and Hearing Clinic
- Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.)
- Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association
- Salem World War Memorial Building
- Salvation Army
- Salvation Army-North Columbiana County Service Units
- Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.)
- Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center
