Editorial | We can all be ‘one in a million’
United Way has a question for Southwest Floridians: Will you become One in a Million?
Our local agency, representing Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, set a goal of raising $11.5 million, money it will use to help support more than 260 programs by assisting 92 partner agencies.
The annual campaign ended $1.6 million short.
Our community has already begun to step up, the agency announced at a press conference last week.
Lee Health, through the Lee Health Foundation, committed $250,000 to help fill the gap.
Of that, $132,000 is dedicated to United Way’s WeCare program, which provides access to specialty medical care and services for uninsured and underserved residents in Lee County.
Two $100,000 matching gifts also were announced, one anonymous, the other from longtime United Way supporters Linda and Tom Uhler.
These commitments brought the shortage down to about $1.3 million.
The remainder is now up to us, with United Way calling upon residents, businesses and philanthropic organizations for help.
“There are a million reasons to give — and thousands of lives are depending on it,” said Carolyn Rogers, co-chair of the annual campaign, at the press conference last week. “We are calling on our community to be the one in a million to help us close the gap.”
United Way, and the organizations with which it partners, underpin community support, helping to improve the lives of an estimated 500,000 individuals annually.
“These efforts touch lives every day — providing critical services, building resilience, and creating opportunities for individuals and families across our region,” the agency states in its impact report for 2024-25.
Top needs include the very basics — food, housing, keeping the lights on and the water running, as well as providing essentials like clothing, school supplies and maybe a Christmas gift for a child who has reason to fear there is no Santa.
The agency’s 211 help line provides access to resources 24/7 and its Mission United initiative streamlines access to veterans services.
United Way Resiliency Hubs provide “wraparound social services” from multiple agencies at more than 20 locations.
A United Way collaboration with VITA helps low-to-mid income residents file taxes at no cost and get refunds they sorely need.
Its efforts, based on the philosophy that “United we are stronger,” do not stop there.
Additional partner programs and efforts are there to aid our neighbors — and often our own family members.
Additional donations are critical.
“Now more than ever, we are asking for our community to step forward. Every donation, fulfilled pledge, and additional contribution helps sustain hundreds of critical programs and services for our neighbors.
“There are a million reasons to give — and thousands of lives depend on it,” agency officials said.
If you have the ability to help in what we recognize are trying financial times, becoming “one in a million” will help the community we all call home.
More information, including how to contribute to this year’s campaign, may be found at unitedwaylee.org/donate.
Breeze editorial