United Way Campaign Surpasses $1 Million
Area Residents Encouraged to Give From the Heart 

BEND, OR (January 13, 2012) –  United Way of Deschutes County has surpassed the $1 Million mark in the fundraising effort to raise $1.2 million to help address urgent social service needs in Deschutes County.  Volunteers and staff are now working to reach the next benchmark of $1.1 Million. 

Both the collective effort of campaign volunteers and the generosity of local donors have been tremendous thus far.  Area residents who have not yet donated are encouraged to pause a moment and consider directing a gift from their heart. An individual’s gift combined with that of others, has the power to help one-in-three residents of Deschutes County who find themselves in need of a helping hand.  That results in necessary basic human services reaching over 72,000 local people of all ages.  In Central Oregon, one-in-five children under the age of 18 live at or below the federal poverty level, per the Partnership to End Poverty. 

With the current campaign running until June 30, 2012, area residents have time to invest in the people of their community and assist United Way of Deschutes County in reaching the $1.2 Million goal.   This money is utilized to help support the thirty-three local social service programs that rely in part on funding from United Way.  This funding is necessary to help ensure that United Way partner agencies continue to provide the invaluable gift of assistance, sometimes life-saving assistance, to the growing number of Deschutes County residents in need.  

As stated by Jeff Ludeman, Volunteer Campaign Chair for 2011/12, “Only through dedication as a collective group can we help ensure that the most basic of human needs are being met in our community.”  

Members of the community, both individuals and companies, can help United Way reach its goal.  To learn more about LIVE UNITED, how to schedule a workplace campaign, or to make a pledge, contact the United Way office at (541) 389-6507.  You can also mail donations to:  PO Box 5969, Bend, OR  97708-5969.

United Way of Deschutes County is honored to have been a partner with Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort for the January, 2012 Charity Ski Weeks. Thank you!