Kiwanis hear about United Way and its annual fund drive
Tom Uhler, member and past chairman of the Sanibel Captiva United Way Campaign Committee, recently spoke to the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club on the work the United Way does to address the community’s social service needs. Its annual fund drive is nearing completion, with a goal to raise $626,000 from the islands as part of a $11,300,000 goal for the Lee, Glades and Hendry counties area.
The United Way’s mission to provide social services and meet human needs in the larger community is closely allied with the club’s focus on addressing the education and well-being needs of local youth.
Uhler explained the United Way makes efficient use of the money it raises by keeping its focus on the area’s specific needs and by spreading its support across 90 local partner agencies. Last year, its support affected one in two people in the three-county area, with over 92 percent of every dollar going into the community. He underscored the present need and how the United Way is extending its reach to help.
With a program called United Way 211, it has made available a 24-hour helpline people can call for referrals to health and social services that can provide food, housing, child care and veterans services. It helps those in need navigate a system that can be complicated and sometimes overwhelming, Uhler explained. Last year, the 211 Helpline received over 65,000 calls.
He concluded that with the drive in its final weeks, public support is welcome and timely.
The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club holds breakfast meetings on Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club on Sanibel. Those interested in becoming a member of the club are welcome to attend.
For information, visit www.sanibelkiwanis.org.