109 E Ninth Ave
Stillwater, OK 74076
(405) 377-2161
Campaign Brochure
Talking Points
Here are some points you should make when you talk about the 2009 Campaign, LIVE United!:
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United Way and LIVE United! are about creating lasting results that make a difference in the lives of our neighbors through the work of 24 local agencies.
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United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life --- quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement and good health.
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Thanks to the time invested by 36 volunteer directors, the Stillwater Area United Way spends less than 1% of its budget on administration and the annual campaign. The design of this website, the campaign brochures, the local video and countless other services are donated by local businesses.
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The Stillwater Area United Way is MUCH more than a fundraising organization:
In April of 2008, the Stillwater Area United Way helped to launch a new service: 2-1-1 in North Central Oklahoma. It's an information and referral line that helps callers find social service agencies such as our United Way agencies. ALready, the second highest number of calls each month come from Payne County. Already, the greatest needs are for financial assistance to pay utility bills, rent and to buy gas and food. Nearly all of that help comes from churches or other faith-based groups like the Salvation Army. And already many of the food pantries say demand is starting to outpace supply.
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In 2009, United Way is helping to establish a Volunteer Center in Stillwater called SAVE
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99.7% of the money raised here WORKS right here in Stillwater
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For instance:
Each day 35 adults at the Life Center are talking about current events, getting occupational and physical therapy and sharing a hot meal.
Last night, 65 people slept in a warm bed at the Mission of Hope Homeless Shelter and got up this morning to begin working on building a better life.
At lunchtime, 75 homebound elderly received a hot meal and, as important, a friendly visit from an observant volunteer delivering that meal.
This evening, scout troups will meet and kids and families will play a variety of sports at the YMCA.
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Every donation is multiplied by the work of local volunteers and every dollar allocated is overseen by a board of Stillwater volunteer leaders
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Invite folks to be a part of the change. Together, UNITED, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
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This year's goal is $800,000 but even if we are successful in raising that amount, the allocations to our agencies will range from 95% to 43% of the amount of money they believe they really need to serve the rising demands for service.
- This year, more than ever, we need your help. Please GIVE UNITED!
Sample Letter One
Dear Leader Society Member,
“LIVE UNITED” is the way we’re asking you and your colleagues in Stillwater to support the work of the United Way this year. Because you’ve been a leader in giving to past United Way campaigns, we wanted you to know about the real issues behind this year’s effort.
First, our goal is $800,000! That's a lot of money but it pales in comparison to the real and rising need in our hometown. Our 25 United Way agencies are stretching to serve children, the elderly, the disadvantaged and the disabled. But gas prices, utility bills and food prices are going up much faster than incomes. Without loyal volunteers and generous donors the 60,000 local people served by our United Way agencies each year will be hurting.
"LIVE UNITED" is the way we talk about everyone's ability to make a difference in this community --whether you GIVE, ADVOCATE or VOLUNTEER. United Way is all about working together for the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are teh building blocks of a good life: Quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement and good health.
Our goal is to create lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. Every gift makes a difference in United Way’s ability to make a difference. We must complete this year’s campaign by November 30. So PLEASE! Take a moment today to fill out a pledge card.
In April, Stillwater's United Way joined with United Way's in Enid and Ponca City to help bring 2-1-1 services to the North Central part of Oklahoma. Already the monthly statistics 2-1-1 requires show increasing numbers of calls for food, housing and utility assistance beyond the ability of many agencies to help
This year, more than ever, we need you help. If you have questions or concerns, contact Kim at the United Way office at 377-2161 or speak to any of the volunteer leaders listed below.
Please, GIVE UNITED!
Patricia Huffman, Chair, Leaders Society Division
Kyle Gibb, President, Stillwater Area United Way
Teri Smith and Paul Vela, 2008 United Way Campaign Co-Chairs
Sample Letter Two
Dear Stillwater Resident,
“LIVE UNITED” is the way we’re asking you and your neighbors in Stillwater to support the work of the United Way this year. We need your help if we are to continue to provide a safety net for the children, elderly, disabled and disadvantaged in our community.
I have twelve critical questions to ask you. Would you give $10, $15 or $50 a month:
In January – if you could help a troubled teenager get a mentor and a the tools to become a productive citizen thanks to the Payne County Youth Shelter?
In February – if you could help a senior citizen who was going without needed medicine in order to buy food get help at the Stillwater Community Health Center?
In March – if a young mother on your street wanted to improve her reading skills so she could read to her children and the Literacy Guild could make it happen?
In April – if a family of four was suddenly homeless and needed a place to regroup like the Mission of Hope?
In May – if you knew the volunteer leader of the local Boy Scout troop needed to attend training?
In June – if a victim of abuse and her child needed a safe place to stay for a while and Stillwater Domestic Violence could shelter them?
Would you give $10 in July – if you could help the breadwinner of a family beat drugs without the income loss of jail time and the Payne County Drug Court could do that?
In August – if you could give someone fighting our nation's number one public health crisis -- alcoholism-- a chance to make a new start at Starting Point 2?
In September – if you could get an abused child out of the social service system and into a loving home months faster thanks to CASA?
In October – if you knew a family was thinking of leaving three children home alone because of the cost of daycare and the YMCA could help?
In November – if you had a chance to give a developmentally challenged adult a “real job” and a sense of self worth through the Sheltered Workshop/ M-Power?
In December – if you could save the life of an elderly or infirm neighbor thanks to the daily contact of a Meals on Wheels volunteer?
If you answered yes to these questions, think again! You've heard only half of the local United Way story. We have twelve more agencies that are doing what matters our hometown.
Please give generously this year so that Stillwater can continue to "LIVE UNITED."
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Volunteer Campaign Leader