ROCKINGHAM — The United Way of Richmond County is nearing the end of their fundraising period for 2020 and needs help to reach their goal of $250,000, about 95% of which stays in the county to support their more than 17 service agencies.
Michelle Parrish, executive director of the Richmond County branch of the nonprofit, said they’re at about $175,000, or 70% of their goal. Fundraising for 2020 will end the week of Feb. 15, according to Parrish. United Way’s service agencies include Back Pack Pals, Boy and Girl Scouts, Our Daily Bread, and the Richmond County Rescue Squad.
Last year, United Way provided 148,841 “services” to 12,162 individuals locally, according to Parrish. She said fundraising has been down in the last several years, a problem that many nonprofits are facing.
“We’re working with what we have and trying to still provide service to the community with the agencies that we have,” said Parrish.
Not meeting their goal of $250,000, she said, will mean their service agencies will have to go without and try to run their own fundraisers, if they don’t already.
“The agencies won’t be able to provide as many services to the community through United Way dollars,” Parrish said. “We just really like to meet our goal to be able to provide the money to them to provide service to the community — it’s very important.”
She added that while much of the donations to charitable organizations come during the holidays, United Way is an avenue for people who want to give year round.
“(Donations) definitely make an impact,” said Parrish. “Our board makes sure that we’re accountable for what we’re doing.”
Giving options include payroll deductions, the nonprofit’s PayPal account, or traditional cash or check. Donors can choose which agency the funds go to, or donate to United Way itself, which will then determine the best way to allocate the funds.
Those interested in donating can reach Parrish by phone at (910) 997-2173 or by email at [email protected]. They can also find more information online at http://www.unitedwayrichmondnc.net/.
United Way is adding three new board members: Chris Brown of Enviva, Jim Haley with Perdue Farms, and Shannon Pate of Trinity Manufacturing. Out-going board members are John Maultsby of Trinity and Jeff Graves of Allstate.