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United Way director: please give, so we can too

United Way has a goal in mind, to help those in need

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: November 4, 2009

For well more than a century, the United Way and its predecessors have supported charities and relief organizations throughout America and worldwide. The United Way of McDowell County supports some of McDowell's most relied upon services.

The United Way is still working for McDowell County, but the effort needs your help.

Brian Price, the local United Way director, said the goal for this year is unchanged from previous years, at $200,000.

"Last year we actually brought in $206,000," he said, "so we were very happy to exceed our goal and of course we hope to do that again this year, but we recognize the economy being in the shape it's in it'll be hard. That's why we decided to keep it at that level."

Fund-raising efforts often conflict, as many worthy groups vie with one another for contributions to support the work of helping the less fortunate or those in crisis. The United Way's function is to raise funds and distribute them to those groups that need the support.

"Our fund-raising efforts are primarily in-house campaigns in industries, offices and schools," said Price. "We also mail letters to the people who own second homes here -- they alone accounted for $15,000 or $20,000 last year."

But of all the sources for McDowell United Way contributions, industry has been the most fruitful.

"Last year about $50,000 came from Baxter (Health Care)," he stated, "as well as Rock Tenn and Baldor."

The United Way of McDowell supports 22 local nonprofit organizations, Price added, including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Hospice, the McDowell Mission Ministries' homeless shelter, the local branch of the American Red Cross, the women's shelter and several others.

"The Red Cross," he stated, "receives between 70 and 80 percent of its funding from United Way contributions."

The bulk of United Way's local fund-raising goes to support Hospice, Southmountain Children's Home and the McDowell Mission, as well as the Red Cross. Other groups, he explained, receive lesser amounts, based on the amounts for which they apply.

Price said he takes cost of operation seriously. Several years ago, the United Way of McDowell gave up its office. He runs it out of his basement to save funds.

"I am very proud of McDowell County," he said. "Other towns have seen a sharp decline in United Way contributions."

Some have dropped from raising millions per year to raising hundreds of thousands. But McDowell has been consistent in giving.

"If you look at the job losses and the industry losses we have suffered," Price said, "I can easily say we are one of the top 10 United Way fund-raisers in the state, per capita. With all our job losses, the people just continue to give more."

Price hopes everyone will give to the United Way. Contributions can be mailed to the United Way of McDowell County at P.O. Box 1563, Marion, NC 28752.