United we stand, divided we fall

If you think expensive gasoline and groceries are cramping your lifestyle, consider what the working poor in our 10-parish Capital Region are going through.

Or worse, think of the people who depend on crucial social services to survive. The charities and nonprofits that provide such services rely on the generosity of more fortunate members of the community for funding, but giving is down as Baton Rougeans struggle to cope with their own economic pressures.

Inflation and layoffs have resulted in Capital Area United Way donations to shrink just when the services they provide are most desperately needed.

It’s a vicious cycle: When our region’s safety net is needed to save more people from despair, it’s threadbare from a shortage of funding.

The 49 nonprofit agencies supported by our United Way provided an astonishing 13.4 million services in 2006, an astounding 82% jump from just two years earlier. Once figures for 2007 and 2008 are in, the situation is certain to become dramatic.

The reason? Giving by local residents and the companies where they work has fallen off and isn’t keeping pace with the community’s needs. As a result, our United Way has used up its reserves, and earlier this year many local charities were crushed to learn their United Way support had to be cut.

Doing the right thing is rarely easy. But right now is the time the fortunate people in our community need to dig deep and summon the financial discipline necessary to help those who are less fortunate.

Rolfe McCollister Jr., founder and CEO of the company that publishes 225 magazine, is chairman of the United Way’s fundraising campaign this year. Employees within our company also are volunteering their time and energy to help the United Way.

Dozens of community leaders have been handpicked to head up the fundraising effort. They’re donating their time to drum up new support for United Way’s agencies, so you’re likely to hear from them. Listen to them and help them make the case for why it’s crucial that more Baton Rougeans sign up to donate right now.

If enough people share a modest share of their paycheck now, the entire community will benefit. Families will be spared slipping through our community’s safety net and into homelessness, while some on the fringe may even be discouraged from turning to crime.

We’re not suggesting you give blindly. Ask questions. How will your donation be spent? What percentage of donations goes to administration, and how much winds up in the hands of those who truly need it?

If you, your employer or your family are fortunate enough to be enjoying health and prosperity, then do more than simply count your blessings: Pay them forward.

To make a donation or to find out more about the programs supported by the Capital Area United Way, visit thewaytohelp.org, or contact Nancy Eckert at 383-2643 or e-mail her at [email protected].