Our Views: Businesses Help United Way Surge Past Fundraising Goal

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Charities and nonprofit organizations come and go in Lewis County. 

They’re almost universally formed out of the best of intentions, but sometimes lack the drive and organizational fortitude to create a lasting impact.

That’s not the case for the United Way of Lewis County.

The group announced last week that it had surged past its annual campaign goal of $600,000.

It represents the strongest fundraising cycle for United Way in the past five years, a time period marked by economic troubles nationally and locally.

The campaign proves unequivocally that after 55 years, United Way of Lewis County is well positioned to maintain its spot as one of our area’s most impactful charitable organizations. 

“I still believe that the strength of United Way of Lewis County is the same today as it was when it started in Lewis County in 1960,” said Executive Director Debbie Campbell. “Our strength is rooted in our core values: impact, inclusion, innovation, integrity and leadership. These values are our legacy and our future. Living by these values creates the type of environment we all desire, an environment in which we exceed the expectations of our community and those of each other. 

“It is our aim, therefore, that our staff, partners, strategies and investments reflect these core values.”



Leaders of the United Way were quick to highlight the contributions of donors who made the successful campaign possible.

The success is in large part due to the donations of local businesses. 

In fact, workplace campaigns accounted for 75 percent of the money collected. United Way works with more than 100 local enterprises to educate employees on the goals of the organization and make donating money as easy as possible, whether it’s through payroll deductions or other means. 

Donors can be confident that the money they donate will help the dozens of local groups that rely on United Way of Lewis County for funding each year.

The money remains in Lewis County through agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Lewis County Food Bank Coalition. 

There is more than $370,000 in requests from such groups this year alone, and the contributions of individuals and the business community will go a long ways in helping the United Way address education, income and health in Lewis County. 

For more information on how you or your business can get involved with United Way of Lewis County, call the Chehalis office at (360) 748-8100.