Carol Branch
Dear Hampton Lake Friends,
I hope this finds you well. Like most of you, Austin and I moved to Bluffton to make this our new “forever home.” As such, we wanted to find ways we could work side by side with our neighbors to help sustain and improve the community we have come to love. We have been extremely encouraged to see that so many here in Hampton Lake share our view that active participation and support for our community is essential for the quality of life for all in the Lowcountry.
Many of our neighbors contribute in so many fantastic ways, using their time, talent, and treasure to help others in need in our local area. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for United Way of the Lowcountry and hope you will join us in supporting this worthy organization.
Over the past year, the impacts of the pandemic have caused a financial strain to many in our immediate area. Those who had previously never had to ask for help in the past are now reaching out for assistance to provide for their family’s survival during this very trying time.
Some of you may already know a little bit about UWLC, but I wanted to share what we are doing to help our community through these challenging times and how you can be a part of it.
Through our Community Impact process, local non-profit agencies apply for funding for individual programs that address Basic Needs, Education, Health, and Income/Family Stability. Each application is reviewed and vetted by panels made up of community volunteers like yourself to make sure allocated funds will have the most impact on our community as possible.
Even during this pandemic, we are continuing to fund 39 programs at various local agencies, all of which have been vetted by community volunteers. In fact, thanks to financial support from people like you, these programs positively affected more than 148,000 people in our community last year.
Here are a few other ways UWLC is continuing to make an impact in our community through these challenging times.
- Providing free training and webinars to non-profits on topics like the Paycheck Protection Plan, grant writing, and eviction moratoriums.
- Calls on United Way’s Helpline have dramatically increased by an average of 348% since April, providing more than $216,000 in direct financial assistance to those who have nowhere else to turn.
- In the last 12 months, UWLC has given away more than 20,000 books for children to take home to keep them engaged. The goal of our Early Grade Reading program is to work with children in Pre-K through 3rd grade to make sure every child has the opportunity to succeed in school.
As you know, the need is greater than ever before, and I hope you will consider helping us continue to support our community’s non-profit agencies and our neighbors. You can make an online gift by clicking the “Donate Button” down below. I hope you will take a moment to look through the Palmetto Society booklet (digital version) and video below so you can see for yourself that UWLC is a powerful force bringing help to those in need throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Your Neighbor & Friend,
Carol Branch
Click here to make an online donation.