news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Still in high school the spring of 2007, the 18-year-old brought her 8-month-old baby to the Salvation Army's Center of Hope, looking not only for shelter but a way out of their bleak situation.

With free child care and parenting classes, she not only graduated from Grimsley this past May, but is pursuing a degree in electronic technology at N.C. A&T, making her the first person in her immediate family to attend college.

"We don't exist just to be a shelter," said Maj. Paul Egan, corps officer with the Salvation Army of Greensboro, who oversees the shelter and other emergency assistance for the needy, including food and utility payments. "We want to move people forward."

Egan points to the United Way of Greater Greensboro's financial support for its ability to help thousands of people each year, including hundreds of people who came to them for help last year who ended up getting their GED or help with drug addiction.

"Without them, a lot of programs in this community will suffer," Egan told a crowd gathered Tuesday for a mid-campaign report from the United Way, whose annual campaign traditionally raises millions for community agencies.

The United Way has received pledges of just over $6 million, or 47 percent of its $13 million goal, which was unveiled with the assistance of youngsters from Hunter Elementary School, who raised more than $800 mostly in pennies and nickels for their campaign.

"We've got challenge, but we've also got some good news," said Ed Kitchen, the former Greensboro city manager who also is this year's campaign chairman.

Several employee campaigns show double-digit increases, including VF, nearly 14 percent; and Kay/Ecolab, nearly 24 percent.

VF provided company matches for the first time this year.

The Tocqueville Society for gifts of $10,000 or more gained 11 new members, while overall per-capita giving is up, too.

But some companies that previously participated no longer exist.

At the same time, agencies United Way supports are seeing a rise in needs - Mobile Meals has a waiting list and just lost $30,000 in state funding, while the Women's Resource Center reports an increase in women supporting their families on less than $10,000 a year.

"We can do this if we remind people ... who among us has not had someone in our family depend on these services," said Kitchen, whose father received hospice care.

The United Way also is appealing to people, such as retirees, who may no longer be part of an organized campaign, to consider making a donation to the United Way by calling 378-6600.

Contact Nancy H. McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com