United Way makes final push for donations

Graham Area United Way is approaching the end of its fundraising campaign and looking for donations to help reach its $100,000 goal in support of seven local agencies. At over $75,000 raised, the organization is making a final push for community support.

The organization kicked off its fundraising campaign Friday, Sept. 22 and announced it raised $42,558.58, or 43% of its $100,000 goal. GAUW Executive Director Susie Cerecedez said the campaign year lasts from early August to near the end of November, but this year they are looking for more support to reach their goal.

“We’re a little short this year and I believe that’s due to the economy. ...When the economy is like this, the lines get bigger. So when times are hard, there’s more (need), but money is less, so we’re just doing the best that we can,” she said.

The seven agencies which are benefiting from the fundraising campaign are Bethel Children’s Daycare, Graham Backpack Buddies, Graham Crisis Center, Meals on Wheels, Graham Senior Citizens Center, Virginia’s House and Young County 4-H.

Cerecedez said the majority of those who traditionally give to the organization have given and it is now a struggle to achieve the rest of the goal.

“Every dollar counts. I mean, don’t think that your donation is too small, because it’s not. It will add up, even if you can just give three bucks, five bucks... it will help tremendously,” she said. “These agencies are community agencies that serve the community as a whole. They don’t just serve a select few.”

Donations can be made online at grahamareaunitedway.com, or mailed to PO Box 333 Graham, TX 76450.

GAUW Benefiting Agencies

Bethel Children’s Daycare Center
Bethel Children’s Daycare Center has been open in Graham since 1968 and has served over 4,000 children. The center provides care for children from six weeks through 12 years old, including children with special needs.

Graham Backpack Buddies
The goal of Graham Backpack Buddies is to eliminate children hunger in the community and identify students who meet the criteria of being chronically hungry. The organization, made up of volunteers, works to pack shelf-stable food for children that can be delivered to schools every week.

Graham Crisis Center
Graham Crisis Center is a nonprofit umbrella organization which includes the Nifty Thrifty thrift store, The Food Pantry, Harry’s House women’s crisis shelter and the Benevolence Fund. The organization provides supplemental food assistance to over 900 people per month, over 1,000 hours of free counseling, benevolence assistance to over 250 households and hundreds of nights of lodging to single women or women and their children.

Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels in Graham provides meals five days a week to 93 senior citizens within the community who have age-related illnesses and disabilities. The program is run by a group of 70 volunteers who coordinate the delivery of meals.

Graham Senior Citizen Center
Graham Senior Citizen Center has three main programs: a congregate meal program at the center, Meals on Wheels and a transportation program. The transportation program provides trips for community members within Graham and places a priority on medical trips.

Virginia’s House
Virginia’s House is an umbrella organization including a Children’s Advocacy Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, mentor and prevention programs and crime victims assistance. The organization seeks to help children and their families who suffer from all types of abuse, as well as help children who are in situations of risk.

Young County 4-H
The Young County 4-H program is to prepare youth to meet the challenges of childhood, adolescent and adulthood through a coordinated, long-term series of educational experiences to enhance life skills and develop social, emotional, physical and cognitive competencies.