To the Editor:
It is a great honor to serve as Board President for United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. In this role, I continue to witness the selfless generosity among individuals and organizations in our community who support United Way’s mission to improve the lives of the most vulnerable on the Shore. What we achieve together is nothing short of amazing! 
Our United Way currently touches the lives of one in three people! It is the largest non-governmental source of funding for 62 critical programs in the four Lower Eastern Shore Counties in Maryland. Last year, your United Way impacted 76,000 local people, giving them the tools they need to build a better life and hope for a brighter, secure future. When you give, you can count on the responsible stewardship of your contribution to help the most people, in the most impactful way possible. Did you know that 100% of each contribution stays local? The local United Way Community Impact Committee spends over 800 volunteer hours each year vetting the programs in which you invest. From youth and elderly issues to transportation and health care, these volunteers scrutinize agency budgets and programs to ensure all contributions will have the greatest impact.
Currently, we are in the final stages of this year’s campaign, and I encourage all readers to consider helping by making a contribution. I also encourage all local businesses to consider a workplace campaign to allow employees to donate through payroll deduction. When you give to our local United Way, you are building a healthier community; you are helping troubled teens uncover their full potential; you are easing the burdens of individuals struggling with life’s unexpected challenges. I strongly urge those in our community to join our “United Way Family,” and experience first-hand what it means to LIVE UNITED.
For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.unitedway4us.org.
Cathie Thomas
Board President, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore
