OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY
 Helping the community has never been more important! Whether it’s raising money for our local nonprofit agencies or giving backpacks to our county children, the United Way has made strides in making an impact in the community. Working with the Yavapai Community Foundation, we held information rich “Community Dialogues” to address the most pertinent issues related to our three community impact areas: Commitment to Learning; Successful Lives; and Critical Needs.
United Way works with others to address community needs and help those who need help. In 2007, the United Way of Yavapai County:
- Spearheaded the largest “Packages and Letters Drive to the Troops” in Arizona! Over 100,000 items and 2,000 letters were carefully packed to be delivered to our service men and women in far reaches of the world. Thanks to the 30 schools from HUSD, PUSD, Chino Valley, Yavapai County Schools, the Yavapai Detention Center, the City of Prescott (for use of the building), US Post Office, Kiwanis, APS, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the Arizona Character Education Foundation, the Arizona Dept. of Education, the Courier, KPPV/KQNA, the Lion’s and dozens of individuals, we delivered 2,000 boxes filled with luscious snacks and heartfelt cards and needed items to our men and women personnel. (Watch for our next effort in March/April, 2008)
- Worked with Prescott Area Campus Coalition Partners (PACC) to host the largest “Fair Start Back To School Drive” in Yavapai County. We were honored to work shoulder to shoulder with Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Open Door, First Baptist Church and the City of Prescott, to give over 900 children backpacks, school supplies, shoes, clothes and more. Steve Blair, Holsum Bakery, even donated bread so all children could start the school year right!
- With the help of APS Forestry Services, the American Red Cross and DES, we delivered over 170 cords of wood to 400+ individuals in Yavapai County! For five weekends, volunteers from: National Bank of Arizona; Unisource; Frontier Rotary; Embry Riddle ROTC; APS; Bradshaw Mountain High School Athletics; Boy Scouts; Yavapai Detention Youth; Prescott High Jr. ROTC; Dillards’; Prescott Woman Magazine; Yavapai College; the United Way Board; and dozens of others braved the rain, sleet and hail to load wood in vehicles for those in our community who need it and qualify for it. This five week schedule (five Saturdays) helped those who were gratified for receiving a bit of wood to keep them warm for the winter.
- Working with the Yavapai County Court, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), and DES, we worked to provide gifts to 450 foster children and children who are wards of the State. M&I Bank took in presents; Albertson’s and the Heights Church hosted CASA Kidz Trees; the United Way provided volunteers and gift cards; and other contributed so that these children could get at least one gift for the holidays. In addition, we will help school nurses throughout Yavapai County and United Way agencies receive special gifts for their children.
- Working with Target, we donated 3 totally decorated trees to families of domestic violence.
Oh, yes, the United Way still raises money to help the agencies that help our citizens throughout the year. We fund over 30 agencies, helping newborns through elderly; education through homeless. Our 2007 campaign is a success because of our community citizens and companies! Spearheaded by Arnold Gray, President of Summit Bank and the United Way Campaign Chairman, we had more involvement and interest than ever before! APS was the largest contributor; the participating banks involved with “Battle of the Banks” substantially increased their contributions; the Town of Prescott Valley almost doubled their pledges; and the majority of all campaigns either increased or met their goals! It has been a great year….only to be topped by 2008!
Thank you to all of the citizens, United Way Board members and volunteers, who have made this year a success.
- Tammy Amble Linn, Executive Director
United Way of Yavapai County
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