| Mike Pirtle: United Way now more than ever |
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Posted: Sunday, August 30, 2009 8:05 am
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Whether our economy is improving is a subject for much more perceptive authorities than this writer (although one wonders if anyone really knows anything considering the total unpredicted nature of our downturn), but without question times are much tougher than they were some 18 months ago.
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties then find itself facing a double-edged sword as its new fundraising campaign gets under way.
First, United Way’s donor base is much less able and/or willing to contribute. Many have seen stagnation of their incomes or fear that will happen. Worse, some 6-8 percent more of our work force is currently unemployed as opposed to just a year ago. Obviously those folk won’t be making a UW pledge at work.
While the income stream is declining, the needs of the some 45 charitable community agencies United Way assist are expanding by a huge percentage.
Many of those now unemployed are now United Way good works recipients through basically no fault of their own.
Food banks, medical care and other direct human needs agencies are seeing their potential client bases expand, not by the 6-8 percent represented by the increased unemployment rate, but by huge percentages because previously the agencies were having to provide service to a much smaller percentage of the total population.
That is to say, five percent of the work force could be equal to the previous client base.
United Way fell short of its goal last year despite a magnificent effort, buoyed in no small part by a mind-boggling overall contribution by General Mills.
The campaign, led by newspaper (the other one) publisher Andrew Oppmann, is hoping to surpass last year’s total, mindful of the difficulty of doing so in troubled times but banking and hoping on the generosity of a great, giving community.
“We need your help, and the help of all in our communities, to reach this goal. Because the needs have never been greater,” he said, hitting the proverbial nail square on the head.
Helping United Way will likely be tougher for most of us, but at the same time most of us have friends, family and neighbors who need help like never before.
Giving back to a community has never meant more than now; “Living United” has never had more relevance; extending a helping hand has never been more appropriate.
•••
Congratulations to my friend Don Wright on being elected a national Exchange Club vice president.
Don is constantly working to help make this a better community, even a better world, and gave a heroic effort Memorial Day with the Field of Remembrance flag display.
Any honor and acclaim he receives is much less than he has earned.
•••
Whoa.
What are the odds two good Rutherford County football teams, Oakland and Riverdale, in back-to-back weeks would lose a regionally televised football game after the opposing team comes from behind to tie the game late and then win on a point after in overtime?
If I was Siegel coach David Watson I might be rethinking my team’s scheduled appearance against Tullahoma on Oct. 22.
Don’t know what coaches for the Smyrna vs. Oakland TV game on Oct. 29 should do.
•••
OK, jumping to the top five of my favorite community events is the Taste of Stones River. Yeah, it’s all about the eating.
Last Saturday’s event at The Avenue was just incredible, certainly aided by decidedly unAugust weather.
Some 40 local restaurants, caters and other food preparers served up lots of amazing food.
Since it was a charity, raising a tremendous $30,000 plus for the Primary Care and Hope Clinic, I bought $20 worth of tickets figuring that would be dinner for the missus and myself.
The missus was out of town on family business so I concentrated on food items I could carry out. Not counting a couple of items I wolfed down on the spot, I ended up taking home enough chow, and all of it was super tasty, for dinner Saturday night and lunch Sunday.
And, that’s even though, while no Stephen Lewis, I can be a pretty big eater and was.
I will definitely be scheduling around next year’s event.
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