Rapp. United Way Reflects on 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, I reflect back on this past calendar year, proud of the impact has made in our community through the support of its donors, advocates, and volunteers. 

While there was a time when RUW was considered an "umbrella" organization, this no longer holds true.  RUW is a community partner in every sense of the word.  This organization, for which I have been proud to work for over ten years, identifies needs, develops programs, spearheads initiatives, and convenes other organizations in our community to collaboratively find solutions to core problems and truly meets the needs of our community.

RUW is made up of hundreds of caring volunteers and a core group of individuals who are the driving force we call the Board of Directors, a Board that is hands-on and accountable.  Over the past several years, the Board has moved RUW in a direction that enables this organization to partner with a wide variety of agencies and thus make an even greater impact in the areas of Education, Income, and Health in our community.

RUW has a strong foundation of accomplishments this past year that are worth sharing as the year comes to a close.

• RUW connected over 16,000 volunteers to nonprofits in our community through the RUW Volunteer Center.  These volunteers collectively gave back more than 424,000 hours to our community.
• RUW facilitated a free tax preparation program as a part of its focus on financial stability.  RUW trained volunteers who prepared over 900 tax returns, refunding community members $1.18 million and saving them $170,000 on tax preparation fees.
• RUW provided local nonprofits with more than 100 hours of training and technical assistance, enabling them to better serve those in need in our community.
• RUW connected over 4,800 calls to 2-1-1 Virginia statewide helpline so that individuals and families could find the health and human services they needed.

Every nonprofit faces challenges, whether it is a weakened economy, lost or lapsed donors, or misperceptions. RUW has always been consistently committed to accountability and transparency, annual audits, and submitting a 990 and annual report for public viewing.

The RUW staff members embody Living United through their teamwork, dedication, and constant striving to improve the organization in which they believe. RUW is making things happen and moving in a direction that will see sustainable change for our community. 

There is much work yet to be done for a community that has numerous needs, but we have many committed hands working together to meet the challenge.  2012 will be an exciting year!

Sincerely,

Janel Donohue

President,