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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesUNITED WAY NEEDS HELP

UNITED WAY NEEDS HELP

For over 20 years, the United Way has been very instrumental in providing assistance to our community. In fact, since 1978, the United Way has raised more than $6.6 million dollars that has been distributed to the St.Thomas/ St. John community through it's many member agencies. The numerous member agencies that receive much needed funds from the United Way are listed below. You will find in parenthesis the focus of each agency:
V.I. Council Boy Scouts (youth development), Girl Scout Council of the V.I.
(youth development), Fair Havens Camp (summer program), Civil Air Patrol
(youth development), Downstreet People's youth in action (youth
development), Friends of Volunteers in Public Schools (youth development),
Lutheran Reformation Summer Program (summer program), St. Thomas Reformed
Church summer program (summer program), Catholic Charities (services for
the homeless, the elderly, and the youth) Ebenezer Gardens (senior
citizens home), Shaky Acres (for the homeless, recovering alcoholics, and
substance abusers), American Red Cross (disaster & emergency services),
V.I. Advocate program (to assist victims of violent crime), Dial A Ride St.
Thomas and St. John (provides transportation for the elderly and disabled),
And Legal Services of the V.I. (Provides free legal representation for the
less fortunate).
Yes, all of these very important and much needed agencies are continuously
providing services to the people of theVirgin Islands. The United Way
provides assistance to all of these agencies in the form of financial
asistance through fund raising, as well as financial management
asistance.
The United Way is the single largest supporter of these agencies in our
community. Its important to recognize that these funds are raised through
the generous gift offerings from our business community, as well as
individuals like yourselves. Many people have found that they are able to
give to the United Way each pay period through payroll deductions. This
allows individuals to have a predetermined amount of money deducted from their earnings each pay period. The people who use this process of payroll
deduction have realized that they never even miss the few dollars per pay
period that they set aside to support these worthwhile causes in our
community. Keep in mind that all funds that are collected, stay right here
in our community to provide assistance in our community.
There is also a group of people called pacesetters who give $500 or more to
the United Way. All business owners, managers, executives, professionals,
And anyone else, are encouraged to join the Pacesetters. I'm sure that
each of us understands the fact that "to whom much is given, much is
required". Pacesetters live by this premise.
This year, due to many unforeseen circumstances, the United Way needs
everyone's participation more than ever. Many people have heard of the
United Way, and most know that the United Way is an organization that has
had a positive effect in the community. But many people may not have been
aware of the far reaching, positive effect that the United Way and it's
member agencies has on our community. Now that you are better informed,
we need you to spread the word and help to inform others. If you spread
the good news about the United Way, you will have begun the process of
Helping to make our community a better place. Secondly, your financial
Assistance is necessary if the United Way is going to be able to provide
The necessary funding to the member agencies. If you have not yet signed
up for payroll reduction at your place of employment, do it today. If
there is no payroll deduction at your place of employment, call the United
Way office of St. Thomas / St. John at 774-3185, so that you can give your
cash donation. Also, if you would like to learn more about being a
Pacesetter, please call us, and a member of our board of directors will
give you more information. Time is critical, so don't delay. To help
someone is the greatest feeling in the world. Call today, because you can
make a difference.

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