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The concept of United Way originated in Denver, Colorado in 1887 when four clergymen and one public-spirited woman formed the first joint appeal for organized help in the United States. Their immediate goal was to help people who came searching for riches in the gold mines but instead, found misfortune. The philosophy that launched that first federated fundraising effort is still true of United Way today. Contributions are sought from everyone - not just the wealthy, and the money is distributed where it is needed most.
United Way born in Cumberland County
The United Way ideal took root here April 13, 1939. Representative so the YMCA, The Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and Cumberland County Association for the Blind (known today as the Vision Resource Center) met at the former Anderson Street YMCA Building to lay the foundation for a Community Chest in Fayetteville. They were motivated by a "spontaneous demand on the part of the citizens for an organization to combine drives for all worthy purposes on one big campaign," according to a news report in the Fayetteville Observer. By the time of the first Community Chest drive, three other organizations became affiliates, Girl Scouts, Travelers Aid and the PTA free lunch program. The first fund drive goal was $18,399.
In the 1950's the Community Chest hired its first full-time
professional director and the name of the organization was changed
to United Services Fund. Known also as United Fund, the organization
operated under strong business principles and the key to its fundraising
success was payroll deductions. Ft. Bragg launched its first fund
drive to benefit United Fund. Following a national trend, the Cumberland
County Chapter of the American Red Cross affiliated with United
Fund.
The 1970's were a time of change. United Fund helped to establish an independent Planning Council whose purpose was to study human-care problems and resources in the community to help the Fund Distribution Committee spend fundraising dollars wisely. The United Fund Board of Directors voted to change the organization's name to United Way. The Planning Council merged with United Way, which accepted a larger role in solving the community human-care problems. United Way services expanded over the next decade.
In the 1980's United Way became administrator for distribution
of funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and
initiated Response Grants to meet specific needs. The 1990's were
banner years for United Way. The organization began administration
of the Youth Growth Stock Trust. By the late 1990's, the
United Way of Cumberland County's general campaign fund grew to
more than $4 million. |
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Volunteer LeadershipUnited Way of Cumberland County is a volunteer-driven organization, governed by a local board of directors made up of volunteers from Cumberland County. There's no way we could function without YOUR vision, focus, strategy and support. >>
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