On behalf of the board members of the United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou, I wish to take this opportunity to thank persons and organizations that contributed to the 2013 United Way Campaign, either through employee payroll deductions or corporate and/or personal donations.

These caring individuals and organizations are listed in the advert we ran in today’s COMMUNITY PROFILE, the annual publication of THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT. Our local newspaper is an important asset to the citizens of the Miss-Lou and is to be congratulated for annually publishing this valuable community resource.

Your local United Way collected, in 2013, over $125 thousand dollars that will assist our partner agencies address the social, economic, health, recreation and workforce training needs of our family members, friends and neighbors who might be in distress. These agencies do make a difference in peoples’ lives in times when the economy is weak, when governmental deficits are mounting and when funds for social and health programs, at the federal, state and local level, are being severely reduced in funding.

The United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou has been an important organization supporting a group of local social and health service agencies that help meet the needs of hundreds of people living in the Miss-Lou.  These United Way “partnering” agencies work together to deliver services that help children and youth succeed, strengthen and support families in need and promote independence and economic self-sufficiency among individuals. The United Way and its partners focus on strengthening attributes of healthy and thriving communities. These agencies (listed below) are thoroughly evaluated and screened by a board of local volunteer leaders in the area representing business, education, clergy, government, and non-profit organizations.

The current partnering agencies supported by the United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou are: Adams County 4-H; Adams County CASA; Adams County Red Cross; Catholic Charities (emergency assistance and counseling); Guardian Center (for victims of sexual assault and housing for battered families); Habitat for Humanity; Natchez/Adams Council on Aging; Natchez Football Falcons Youth Club; and, T.M. Jennings Little League.  Donors may designate that their contributions be allocated, on the United Way pledge form, to 501(c)(3) charities of their choice.

The primary source of funding for the United Way comes from voluntary employee contributions through payroll deductions. The funds raised are allocated to the partnering agencies by a group of volunteers who determine how available funds will be distributed. Every dollar contributed to the United Way stays in the Miss-Lou.

Less than 30 cents on every dollar is used for central office administrative purposes such as the day-to-day functioning of the organization, public relations, fiscal accountability and transparency, office maintenance, rent, etc .  Sound central office management  practices, with strong accountability standards, have made it possible for us to allocate 8 thousand more dollars to our partnering agencies this year.

In one year of your payroll deduction plan, ten dollars a month can create lasting and crucial changes in families and individuals in need. For example: 30 meals for seniors; emergency assistance for 15 families affected by fire or flood; counseling for 2 abused or neglected children; enough nails and screws to build two houses; transportation for 18 visits to the doctors for seniors. Furthermore, these donations will or could provide matching funds to ensure the continuation of services for those in crisis that need assistance in food, housing, counseling, mentoring, and transportation.  By the way, donations are accepted all year.

For more information and pledge forms, contact Tammy Prince, Director, tprince@unitedwaymisslou.org (601-442-1081) or visit our home page: unitedwaymisslou.org.

Mike Gemmell is chairman of the 2013 United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou Campaign.