There is no better way to help our community than giving to the Salina Area United Way. It's that simple. Here's why.

Many choose to support particular agencies dear to their heart, like CAPS, which focuses on children and families, or DVACK, which helps victims of abuse. But for many donors, their desire is to help the broader community with their contributions.

That's where the United Way comes in. It conducts an annual fund drive and divvies up money to local agencies, but only after rigorous examinations to make sure those dollars will be well spent.

Volunteers make those decisions. A 25-member board of directors sets policies and oversees operations of the United Way, demanding fiscal responsibility and solid results.

Volunteer committees also examine every agency requesting funds. They visit facilities, interview leadership, review how contributions are spent, and decide if agencies are making the best use of the money. The process is rigorous, and agencies know they will receive less funding -- or be dropped altogether -- if they don't meet the United Way's standards for performance and record keeping.

The United Way itself is audited by independent firms, and those results also are examined by volunteers.

That careful oversight is why we trust the United Way, and it's why people should feel comfortable that their contributions are going to the best possible use.

This year's fund drive is under way and will conclude in late November. The goal is $1.3 million, a challenging amount with today's national economy.

But the goal is attainable, especially if we remember how many people will be helped with United Way dollars. They feed the hungry, help the poor with legal services, comfort victims of abuse, help parents find day care for their children and provide mental health services to the less fortunate. The list goes on and on.

The best way to give to the United Way is through payroll deduction. Just 50 cents per week is a good place to start. That $26 dollars a year may not seem like much, but if 100 people kick in there's another $2,600 to help the less fortunate.

Now imagine if 2,000 gave just 50 cents per week. That's $52,000 per year.

On this page, readers will find a United Way pledge form. It's our way of giving folks a nudge toward giving. Please give it a thought. So many people need assistance today. The United Way is the best way to help them.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

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