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A Times Editorial
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 9, 2002
Most Tampa Bay residents are probably aware of the United Way and the fact that it does charitable work. But they may not realize that all of the money spent on programs that help children, the elderly and our most vulnerable neighbors stays in the communities where it was collected. So a Pinellas or Hillsborough County resident who gives to the United Way will see that money at work close to home.
That is an important distinction as the United Way of Tampa Bay begins another fundraising campaign. Charitable giving often declines in tough economic times such as these, but this is also when the need is greatest.
Some of those helped by United Way of Tampa Bay have shared their stories on the agency's Web site (www.unitedwayhc.org). Twins Alesia and Alexis were born addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol, but were lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving family. With help from the United Way-funded Tampa United Methodist Centers, the twins have made remarkable progress. Candace was only 14 when her parents' lives ended tragically. She was able to work through difficult emotional issues at Brookwood, a United Way partner agency, and is now a well-adjusted high school senior.
In all, 700,000 people a year are helped by the 134 programs funded by the United Way. They include Boys & Girls Clubs, the Child Abuse Council, Steppin' Stone Farm for at-risk teenage girls and The Spring of Tampa Bay for the victims of domestic violence. Supported programs help deaf children, pregnant women in crisis, single parents, those who suffer seizure disorders and older residents trying to remain independent, among others.
The United Way is worthy of our support.