LIVE UNITED… "LIVE UNITED makes clear that all of us have a stake in each other's success and that all people, no matter their position or means, have a role to play in advancing the common good."  - Brian Gallagher, CEO, United Way of America

As the Yuba-Sutter United Way celebrates 40 years of improving lives in our community, it is my privilege to congratulate our Agencies and Board Members on a “job well done”.  Your perseverance and dedication to the underserved populations in our community is unwavering.  Since 2002, the Yuba-Sutter United Way has raised nearly 2.5 million dollars through our local, state and federal charitable campaigns.  These monies are vital to providing essential health and human service needs to individuals throughout our community. 

I’d like to give special THANKS to JoEllen Jimerson and Sue Hudspeth, who, along with their committee, organized “An Elegant Soiree” last year.  Sue and JoEllen have an incredible amount of vision and creativity that transformed and improved the wine auction in 2007.  I look forward to their leadership this year as they co-Chair the event once again, in 2008.

The Yuba-Sutter United Way Board of Directors is losing two, long-time board members this year.  Karen Tabler has termed out, but assures us that she will return next year, where she will Chair “An Elegant Soiree”.  Ed Eden’s second term has ended and he will be exploring other opportunities for volunteerism.  Ed has served many terms before his current term with the board and he will be greatly missed.  Ed was recently elected Vice Chair of the Yuba-Sutter Region Designated Local Board, which oversees the Emergency Food and Shelter and the Emergency Housing Assistance Program grants that are managed by the Yuba-Sutter United Way.  Thank you, Karen and Ed, for your commitment to improving lives in the Yuba-Sutter Community. 

United Way is about people – you and me.  We help the people who need encouragement, assistance, advice, support and sometimes…HOPE.  We give children programs, to keep them focused and goal-oriented, to improve their chances to become successful adults.  We give the hungry: food, we give seniors the ability to have legal representation when they cannot afford to, we give therapy to youth and adults with neurological disorders, we advocate for individuals with disabilities or mental illness, we provide services for homeless veterans, we provide shelter to individuals facing crisis, we build ramps for individuals with permanent or temporary disabilities and so, so much more! 

Our generous donors show the strength of their commitment to the challenges that some of our friends and neighbors face, by continually donating, year after year to these causes.  Our ability to distribute donor-designated funds to non-profits nation-wide, is what sets us apart from other non-profit organizations and it is what keeps us competitive in the non-profit sector.  United Way is the only organization whose focus is on the Yuba-Sutter community, keeping 99% of donations working right here, in our community.  Improving lives, right here, in our community.  Making a difference, right here, in our community.  THANK YOU!!!

                                                                                                                                                           -Kary Aldridge

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that has.” –Mary Meade