The UNited Way of the River Cites Article

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United Way Story

9-30-2010

By: Trevan J. Hannahs

        

         Two United Way of The River Cities executives, Laura Gilliam and Cassey Bowden said on Tuesday to a Marshall University Journalism class, that a goal for United Way fundraising is in community outcomes and change, not in a figure.

            Laura Gilliam is the executive director of the United Way of the River Cities in Huntington, W. Va.

            Cassey Bowden serves as the director of resource development and marketing for the United Way.

            Most people hear about the United Way and think that the ultimate goal is raising money and trying to better the percentage of donors from the area. As Bowden pointed out on Tuesday that is not the case. 

            “You ask what the fundraising goal is this year? It is to increase our donor base by 15 percent, 1.25 million, however, we would prefer that you focus on our goals as in community work.” said Bowden.

            According to Gilliam, the United Way supports a safety net in the community trying work collaborate with three organizations within the area to produce a better outcome.

            The organizations listed are: Success by 6, Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention and Financial Stability.

            She believes that groups working together for a common goal produce a better outcome. That is why the United Way has been a successful organization since 1922.  

            In the past year the organization has put together events to help achieve the goal of a greater community outcome.  The 2^nd Annual WV 5K Championship Race/ Walk in June and the Out on the Town w/ United Way in September were two of the fundraisers that happened.

            Both events raised considerable amounts of money but, offered something more than the value of the dollar for the community.

            The value of building relationships and bettering the community, was and will be the real fundraiser for the organization past, present, and future. 

            That message was what Gilliam and Bowden got across to students on Tuesday. As Gilliam and Bowden both said with the idea of money for the organization, “ Is a means to the end.”

            Bettering a community can last a lifetime.

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The Chesapeake Community Center

The United Way of the River Cities is a non-profit organization that has been known for the betterment of humanity for all ages.  The organization serves as a helpmate for those less fortunate. 

Offering several different areas of recreation and food pantries, the United Way serves as a getaway, for many people. 

A trusted organization is why so many people continually invest in the United Way, wanting to see it continually grow and help society. 

Laura Gilliam is the current Executive Director for the United Way of the River Cities and graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Cassey Bowden is the director Director of Resource Development & Marketing for The United Way of the River Cities and graduated from Marshall University with a degree in economics.

 My United Way Project, I chose to research the Chesapeake Community Center.  The Chesapeake Community Center is located on 3748 State Route 7
Chesapeake, OH 45619. 

The Community Center offers many recreational activities for the public, according to the centers facebook page, such as, "5 workout rooms with 1 geared toward the ladies. 

The center also has a 1/4 mile track out back. An indoor basketball court and offers both Karate and Cardio Kickboxing classes as part of your membership." Since the Community Center is part of the United WAy Foundation, a food pantry is also offered.  

The Community Center is ran by Ruth Damron of Chesapeake.  

Revisions of Article One

In my recent article I wrote about a fellow classmate, Chrystal Phillips.  The article i wrote was a straight forward piece about her life in her own words.  To make my article better, there was two sentences I read that did not make since.  This could be why I received an 83.  I followed the AP style book.  Next time I plan to read my article, countless times before turning the final copy in.

Revisions of Article One

In my recent article I wrote about a fellow classmate, Chrystal Phillips.  The article i wrote was a straight forward piece about her life in her own words.  To make my article better, there was two sentences I read that did not make since.  This could be why I received an 83.  I followed the AP style book.  Next time I plan to read my article, countless times before turning the final copy in.