With $1,933,617.95 raised to date, and with the 2011/2012 campaign quickly coming to a close, United Way staff are working diligently to bring in those last dollars as they strive to reach the $2.4 million mark.

“It’s not too late, we still have campaigns running, and we really need anyone who has put off giving to donate now,” stated Resource Development Director Janice Amspoker. “For those who have given less than $365, this is your chance to bump up your pledge and become eligible for our Wells Home Furnishing grand prize drawing. This is also an opportunity for donors that have given below $500 to bump up their pledge and join a special group of leadership givers,” urged Amspoker.

Why should you give? Here are some reasons we hope you will consider:

1. Your gift through United Way's Community Impact Fund helps twenty-six agencies and over 72,000 clients all at the same time;

2. Every dollar contributed through United Way is leveraged to approximately $20 worth of community services;

3. United Way ensures that organizations are using the donated dollars for the purpose approved;

4. Imagine what this community would be like WITHOUT after school programs, WITHOUT shelter care for men and women, WITHOUT disaster relief services, WITHOUT food programs.

As our community continues to see a dramatic increase in need from individuals who never thought they would be in a position of “asking for help,” we are asking those who can to make a pledge today by calling our office at (304) 340-3500.

When neighbors help neighbors in a “united way,” significant change CAN and WILL happen in the lives of those who need it most right here in Central West Virginia! Contribute today and you can play a role in that change!

Karen Wise, Literacy Volunteer

My current student, “John”, is my third with Literacy Volunteers of America - Putnam County. John contacted Literacy Volunteers because he wanted to learn to read.  He was born in Guatemala, and never had the opportunity to go to school.  He has been in the United States for 20 years, and has survived through hard work.  He taught himself to speak English, but his diction and grammar make it difficult to understand him at times.  He also mixes Spanish into his conversations, but I know enough Spanish to understand him most of the time.  When we began working together, he had numerous missing teeth, which made it even more difficult.  Since then, through the help of Literacy Volunteers of Putnam County, John has gotten dentures. The smile on his face when he first got them was priceless.

Although John’s main goal is to learn to read and build his English vocabulary, we also work on improving his ability to produce phonemes that are unknown in Spanish and the English words that use them. He recently commented that his friends have noticed that his English is improving.   He has told me numerous times that learning to read is making him feel like a worth-while person.   He looks forward to the day when he can read a book to his young daughter.  His improved self worth has motivated him to stop drinking and smoking.  He attends church, and is trying hard to improve his life in all regards.

When I work with such determined, hard-working people as John, it touches me in a way that cannot be expressed easily with words. I am much more aware of the blessings I have been afforded, and I have developed even greater empathy for people who aren't so lucky.   I feel that if I can do some small part in helping another person have a better life, that's my responsibility and my reward. I consider it a privilege to be a volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of America - Putnam County.

Literacy Volunteers of Putnam County is a United Way Partner Agency and receives funding through the Community Impact Fund. The program works with individuals 16 years of age or older who request help with literacy services.

If you would be interested in becoming a literacy tutor, or would like more information on this program, please call Cindy Winters at (304) 757-1550.

A daily blog of legislative activities can be found at www.legis.state.wv.us.

Bill tracking, contact information for your legislators, and live audio streaming of selected committees and House and Floor sessions can be accessed through the site.

WV Public Television's "The Legislature Today" provides a recap of daily legislative activities and a guest policymaker interview. It airs Monday through Friday at 6:30 pm and 11:30 pm and is hosted by Beth Vorhees.

United Way and central West Virginia are blessed to have a number of outstanding individuals who serve as United Way board members and community volunteers. The United Way Newsletter (UWN) will profile all of these individuals in this and future editions.

RANDELL D. FOXX (Randy)

BOARD MEMBER SINCE 2011
MEMBER, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
MEMBER, CITIZEN REVIEW TEAM, FUND ALLOCATION COMMITTEE

Randy Foxx is the Executive Director of Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer for Boone Memorial Hospital located in Madison, WV. He has completed thirty-eight years of service and has previously been recognized as both employee of the month and employee of the year at the hospital.

Randy is a graduate of Gary High School, Southern Community College, Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston), and the Indiana University School of Business. He and his wife Judy, who is a teacher at Scott High School, have three grown children and five grandchildren. They reside in Madison and enjoy golf, boating and, of course, grandchildren.

Randy is a member of Bible Center Church, is active with Gideon’s International, is a member of the Madison Rotary Club having served as club treasurer, club president, and currently serves on the club board of directors. He is also an active member of the Health Care Financial Managers Association.

UWN: What does LIVE UNITED mean to you?
RF: "As I think about the definition of "united", to work in harmony and producing outcomes by uniting persons or things, it brings many things to mind. To me, LIVING UNITED means to agree and to work in harmony to create a better place for everyone. If we all could unite together, just think of what a better place this would be for us all."

UWN: Why do you volunteer with United Way?
RF: "I have been aware of United Way for some time and, about a year ago, was invited to join a Citizens Review Team of the Fund Allocation Committee after Boone County had become part of the local United Way's footprint. Initially I thought it would require too much of my time but I agreed to help. Working with other team members in reviewing the programs assigned to our group, I got a firsthand look at what United Way is all about. At that point I was hooked."

UWN: Was charity a part of your upbringing?
RF: "Charity was not a big part of our lives when I was growing up. My family was involved in scouting and my parents served as scout leaders and held positions in the program and I followed them while earning different ranks and badges. So charity and volunteering was experienced through scouting. Later in life it was through my church experiences that I realized what charity really means and decided to make it part of my life. We cannot know what tomorrow will bring for us or our community, but it is our responsibility to be prepared to meet the need of the future."

UWN: Why are you so committed to making sure United Way makes a positive community impact?
RF: "Going back to my service on the Review Team, I became aware that a number of agencies provide different services to our communities but they all really have the same mission...helping others in need. I became aware of how many organizations depend on community support to meet client needs. Not only is there a need for funding but also a need for volunteer help. I realized many people don’t have things I take for granted...food, medicine, reliable transportation. I like the fact that United Way is doing the due diligence for all of us to see that our donations go to organizations meeting community needs. I also like the fact that donations are leveraged through partnerships and collaboration."

"The more I learn about our community needs the more I realize the impact I can have by working through our United Way."