FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/25/2005

Contact: Seandra Sims 302-573-3731 ssims@uwde.org

DELAWARE: SMALL IN SIZE, BIG IN HEART

As I was sitting at my desk, brainstorming for this piece, I thought about filling it with facts and statistics about Delaware’s needy and how United Way has always been there to come to their aid. After all, United Way of Delaware has been serving the people of this great state for over 50 years by bringing the community together during a unified fundraising campaign, and all of us personally know someone who has been supported by one of the many United Way agencies. Then I thought about featuring the personal stories of individuals or families who had been helped by one of United Way’s programs. Those stories would have focused on lives brought out of desperation, poverty, hopelessness or abuse, and those stories are many. However, as I read over my notes, I realized that I didn’t want to write only from the point of view of this year’s Campaign Chair who is proud of the numbers of those helped by United Way, but I wanted to also write to you from the point of view of a proud Delawarean.

Delaware, small in size, but big in heart, is historically known as the First State and has always set the pace, the benchmark, for others to follow. We have built this great state together by creating a legacy that leads to opportunity and hope.

In the face of recent national and world events, we realized just how generous Americans were, and Delawareans were right there, again setting the pace. United Way of Delaware, with your support, has and will always be there for those in need. The services provided by United Way funded programs make sure that Delaware’s needy have at least one hot meal on a daily basis, that mothers and children of domestic violence are provided with shelter and housing, and that seniors and persons with disabilities have opportunities to contribute to the community. It is a constant presence in people’s lives, a constant presence that has made it an important part of our communities. United Way is that constant presence because of you. When Delawareans pull together as a community and give generously, we are able to realize just how important and immediate our impact can be on the daily lives of others.

I realize that the past few years have been challenging for all of us in Delaware and across the country, but for those who are getting by on little to nothing, the challenge has been greater. By making a contribution to United Way, you will be making a difference in the lives of untold numbers of individuals, perhaps even in your own. Your contributions to United Way member agencies, and especially the Community Impact Fund are crucial now more than ever.

For those of you who have supported the campaign in the past, I thank you and encourage you to think hard about increasing your contribution and designating more of it to the Community Impact Fund. For those of you who are thinking about contributing for the first time, I encourage you to do so now. Delawareans, by our very nature, have always made a difference, and that difference is even more important today, but I promise you that your gifts will have an impact far beyond today. Additionally, if your employer does not already run a workplace campaign, contact United Way of Delaware and we’ll be glad to help you get one started.

Every day, I speak to individuals seeking opportunities to demonstrate those qualities that define Delaware – compassion for others, a desire to be of service to each other and the community, an effort to provide hope to individuals in need. I call this the “heart” of Delaware, and that heart makes us all proud to be Delawareans.

Let’s work together to raise the bar and again set the pace to make this year’s United Way campaign the success it needs to be in order to continue that legacy of heart and hope that makes Delaware great.
- Dr. Orlando J. George, Jr.

United Way of Delaware is a community leader, dedicated not only to funding programs that confront the issues facing our community, but also to finding solutions to overcome them. For more information about United Way of Delaware, or to donate, visit us online at www.uwde.org or call (302) 573-3700.

Dr. Orlando J. George, Jr., 2005 United Way Campaign Chair, is President of Delaware Technical & Community College. United Way of Delaware’s 2005 Campaign runs through December.