United Way Kicks Off 2016 Campaign in the Concho Valley

San Angelo, TX -  This past Wednesday marked the 2016 Campaign Kick Off for the United Way of the Concho Valley. The event coincided with the Beach Boys concert going on at Foster Communications Coliseum.

United Way is dedicated to providing help to those who need it the most. It is through the agency's fundraising and rallying effort that have allowed it to raise the necessary funds for the programs here in San Angelo.

This track record of always looking for ways to help out the Concho Valley has led to the development of this year’s campaign theme “United Way Matters.” Every dollar United Way has dispersed throughout the community is raised here locally. It’s with the corporate, online, voluntary and onsite donations that make the agency's work possible. This is why the staff at Untied Way want to remind the public of how important their cooperation is for the institution and all the programs it benefits.

This year alone, the United Way is projecting to help over 19 programs, which come from a wide variety of agencies. There are programs dedicated to helping a wide variety of issues, from infant and prenatal care, to providing assistance that allows older citizens the opportunity to live at home for longer periods of time.

As much as monetary donations are needed to continue the agency's work, the main goal at United Way is to provide the help where it is most needed. This is why the people at the agency team up with local volunteers who then designate where the money is donated. Essentially, the community is involved in every step of the way, from raising the money to its distribution; its truly a Concho Valley wide effort.

“We don't have a dollar goal,” Carol Harrison, Senior Vice President, said. “We want to meet our community’s needs.”

Last year, United Way was able to benefit over 77,000 people locally. So even though there isn't a goal to meet, staff at the agency estimate that, in order to help out all the designated programs, they need to raise close to a million dollars.

But they know that San Angelo is a dedicated community, and the people love to help those in need. Therefore, staff members are sure they will be able to achieve their goals this year.

“We are this community," said Harrison. "We advocate for our community and who we are.”

One special guest at the kick off was Sunny, an adorable pony from Sonrisas Trails.