news-record.com

Guilford County’s United Way agencies are counting on previous donors and praying for new ones to help meet  campaign goals announced Thursday.

Greensboro’s United Way estimates it must find 5,000 new donors to meet a campaign goal of $12.5 million, which is a lower goal than last year’s.

High Point’s goal of $4.5 million will help fund the budgets of partner nonprofits grappling with almost double the need.

The agencies held joint campaign kickoffs Thursday at a truck pull at Volvo Trucks North America to announce 2009-10 goals.

Volunteers leading the campaigns say the ability to help nonprofits that focus on local needs, including the American Red Cross and the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, will depend on new donors and previous ones to give more.

Greensboro, for example, is anticipating being unable to renew at least $600,000 in gifts from last year because of job losses and company closings.

“We are in the midst of the most severe economic downturn most of us will ever see,” Chuck Flynt, board chairman of the United Way of Greater Greens-
boro, said of the goal that is $500,000 less than last year.  Those who are out of work or have trouble with their finances may have to call on United Way-funded agencies, such as One Step Further, the Salvation Army or Senior Resources of Guilford.

“It’s an ambitious goal and it’s going to be a stretch,” said Leah Price, the campaign chairwoman of the United Way of Greater High Point, which funds 70 community programs at 29 partner agencies.

But Price has seen a ray of hope that she hopes sets the pace for others: In the city of High Point’s early campaign, pledges increased 10 percent.

“Our city manager said they put their money where their hearts are,” Price said.

Also counting on that ability to raise millions is Consumer Credit Counseling at Family Service of the Piedmont, where budget and bankruptcy service calls have more than doubled to 2,835 within one year.

Johnnie Vineyard just a few years ago needed the agency’s help when his wife suffered for several years with an undiagnosed medical condition that strained their marriage and drained their finances.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was doable,” said Vineyard, now a counselor at the agency. “We went through the program and paid our debt ... and repaired our marriage. If it wasn’t for people like you, I’d be destitute, divorced and bankrupt.”

The Greensboro United Way campaign also has created incentives to motivate giving. Donors who pledge $120 or more are eligible for the caring card, which provides them with year-round discounts at more than 30 retail and service establishments.

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

UNITED WAY AGENCIES

United Way partner agencies receiving program funding for 2009-10.

GREENSBORO

Adult Center for Enrichment Inc.

Alcohol and Drug Services of Guilford Inc.

American Red Cross

Bell House Inc.

Black Child Development Institute of Greensboro Inc.

Children’s Home Society of North Carolina

Communities in Schools of Greater Greensboro Inc.

Family Life Council of Greater Greensboro Inc.

Family Service of the Piedmont

Girl Scouts, Tarheel Triad Council, Inc.

Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association Inc.

Guilford Child Development

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (HPCG)

Legal Aid of North Carolina Inc. — Greensboro

Mental Health Association in Greensboro

Old North State Council, Boy Scouts of America

One Step Further Inc.

Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency

Reading Connections

Senior Resources of Guilford

The Arc of Greensboro Inc.

The Salvation Army of Greensboro

Triad Health Project

Volunteer Center

Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro

YMCA of Greensboro Inc.

Youth Focus Inc.

YWCA Greensboro

HIGH POINT

Alcohol and Drug Services

American Red Cross/High Point-Thomasville Chapter

The Arc of High Point

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater High Point Inc.

Boy Scouts of America/Old North State Council

The Community Clinic of High Point Inc.

Communities In Schools of Greater High Point

Communities In Schools of Randolph County

Family Service of the Piedmont

Girl Scouts, Tarheel Triad Council, Inc.

Latino Family Center, Centro de la Familia Latina

Hospice of the Piedmont

Mental Health Association in High Point

One Step Further Inc.

Open Door Ministries of High Point Inc.

Randolph County Family Crisis Center (Archdale, Trinity)

Randolph County Senior Adults Association Inc.(Archdale, Trinity)

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs

Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Disease Agency

Senior Resources of Guilford

Triad Health Project

YMCA of Greater High Point

YWCA of High Point

Youth Focus

Youth Unlimited Inc.

Source: United Way of Greater Greensboro and United Way of Greater High Point