United Way of Horry County (UWHC) will officially begin their 2020 – 2021 Annual Giving Campaign on Monday, September 14, 2020. This year, the organization’s goal is to raise $950,000 to help improve access to health, education and financial stability in Horry County.
Because of the effects COVID has had on our economy, it has only compounded the existing challenges our area faces in access to health, education and financial stability to all and dramatically raised the level of need,” says Christy Everett, 2020-2021 Campaign Chair and Chief Operating Officer for Grand Strand Water & Sewer. “Donations will be used to support programs that provide care to children of sexual assault, keep families in their homes, deliver meals to homebound seniors, provide mental health counseling, give childcare to those in need, supply food to thousands of families, give a fresh start to domestic assault victims, provide free tax assistance and much more.”
“This campaign year looks to be the most challenging yet, but due to the impacts of COVID-19 the need in our community is greater than ever. We have created many virtual tools for businesses to use and will be sharing information about the campaign throughout the entire week of September 14. We believe our community will come together to help us meet our goal,” says Blakely Roof, President & CEO of UWHC.
Since the start of the pandemic in March, UWHC has been busy playing a role in helping the community. Calls and referrals to the 211 Helpline have increased, in some areas over 1800%, at the peak of the pandemic and UWHC stepped in along with Low Country Food Bank and other organizations to fund, facilitate or recruit volunteers for 16 mass food distributions when Horry County Schools stopped serving their Grab n’ Go lunches. UWHC has also raised over $237,000 in outside funds for COVID-19 relief that has been dispersed to helped hundreds with rent and utility assistance, thousands with food, and is working to fill other gaps in the county created by COVID-19.
Funds raised through UWHC annual campaign will be invested into 23 local programs and funds raised stay in Horry County. In 2019 over 55,000 individuals were impacted by UWHC funded programs.
Some local businesses have already began their employee giving campaigns. These businesses, known as Pacesetters, set an example in the community and create a jump start towards the $950,000 campaign goal. UWHC’s Pacesetters this year are: City of Conway, City of North Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina National Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Palmetto Bank, Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority, HTC, Peoples Underwriters, Inc., Sandhills Bank, Spann Roofing, and The Jackson Companies.
For more information about UWHC mission and to donate towards the campaign goal, visit www.unitedwayhorry.org or Facebook Page: United Way of Horry County. If you are interested in holding a campaign contact Jentry Ward at 843-347-5195 or email at marketing@unitedwayhorry.org.
