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As it does at the beginning of each autumn, the United Way of Rockbridge, Lexington and Buena Vista has launched its annual fundraising campaign, a campaign that has become ever more crucial in the lives of many of our neighbors.
Officials announced this month that $101,300 raised this past year is being distributed to a dozen different local nonprofit organizations.
All of those agencies support what is called the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in Rockbridge. These are individuals and families with full-time employment, but who still struggle to meet their basic needs. Currently, roughly 36 percent of families in the area fall into this category.
Think about that for a minute – that’s over onethird of our population.
Pandemic-era programs helped cushion them somewhat over the last few years, but the ending of those programs and the continued pressure of inflation means that need is increasing ‒ for food, rental and utility assistance and transportation.
Let’s take a minute now to meet those agencies receiving United Way funds: Boxerwood Nature Center – The mission of this organization is to “educate and inspire people of all ages to be environmentally responsible stewards of the Earth.” Boxerwood’s latest initiative is known as Project NEST (Nurturing Environmental Stewardship Together).
Blue Ridge Legal Services – This is the legal aid society that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of the region who are in crisis.
Campus Kitchen: Backpack Program – The Washington and Lee University initiative provides weekly after-school snacks and meals to approximately 771 pre-K and elementary school students on the free or reduced lunch program in Rockbridge County.
Blue Ridge CASA – The objective of Court Appointed Special Advocates For Children is to advocate for children who have been the victims of abuse and neglect.
The Coffee House of Rockbridge – On a monthly basis the coffee house provides evenings of entertainment, snacks/meal, social interaction and networking for individuals age 16 and older who have developmental, cognitive and physical disabilities.
Community Closet at Christ Church – Operating out of Christ Episcopal Church in Buena Vista, the community closet offers, free of charge, clothing and household items to local families in need.
Community Table – “Restaurant quality meals without a cash register” are offered weekly by this service. Monday dinners and Wednesday lunches are served at RARA’s Piovano building; Friday lunches are served at the Fairfield Presbyterian Church; and meals are served at various other venues throughout the county at other times through a cooperative venture with Rockbridge Area Transportation Services.
Rockbridge Area Relief Association – RARA’s Neighborhood Grocery provides quality, healthy food to area residents who may be experiencing food insecurity. RARA’s Helpline offers financial assistance to local residents in need of help to pay for utilities, heating fuel, rent, shelter and transportation.
Rockbridge Area Transportation Services – RATS provides safe and affordable rides to local residents who need to get to medical appointments such as dialysis or to other necessary destinations like the grocery store.
Talking Book Center – This service provides audio books and other library materials to persons unable to use standard printed materials such as those who are visually impaired.
Valley Program for Aging Services – VPAS provides Meals on Wheels – hot and freshly cooked meals to area residents who are elderly or infirm and trying to live as independently as they can in their own homes. VPAS also offers Medicare insurance counseling services.
Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center – This preschool offers quality day care and educational services for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. UW’s contribution goes toward scholarships for those whose families couldn’t otherwise afford the tuition.
Besides helping to provide funding to these agencies, the local United Way tackles other important community needs. It works directly to help further early childhood literacy and education with its book drive, currently underway, and it partners with all local school systems to put on A Day in K every year in April. Also, as part of its United for Nonprofits initiative, it organizes and hosts the Nonprofit Leadership Council meeting. This is a monthly meeting where nonprofit leadership meets for networking and facilitated discussions on topics relevant to organizations in our area.
Finally, the United Way is kicking off its new Volunteer Rockbridge program, which will help supplement the existing volunteer programs of local nonprofits by connecting prospective volunteers with agencies in need of additional volunteer assistance.
The goal of this year’s United Way campaign is $200,000, an ambitious goal in comparison to the amount raised this past year. Yes, times are tight for many of us and many people can’t afford to contribute to nonprofit organizations as they once might have, but we encourage everyone who can to support these very worthwhile agencies by making a tax-deductible donation to the United Way.
The mailing address is P.O. Box 1094 or 218 S. Main St., Lexington, VA 24450. The web address is www.uwrockbridge.org and phone number is (540) 463-4482.
