Looking for a way to help others? Consider Piedmont United Way.

“In 1887, The Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J. O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for ten health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make emergency assistance grants in cases which could not be referred.”
— liveunited.org

The above quote describes the birth of the United Way.

There are times when many of us think of those less fortunate and ask how we can help. The ones that really hit home for me are the elderly and the children.

To think one of those folks going without a meal could be one of my grandparents, or my child. Think about those times when it’s so cold outside, you’re happy to come inside to a warm home. Other people are trying to go to sleep in a homeless shelter, their car or, worse, on the street. Agencies benefitting from the United Way are equipped to help folks in need. But they cannot help without our donations.

The Piedmont United Way helps 25,000 residents of our region (Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Rappahannock and Fauquier counties) each year. To put that number in perspective, that’s 18 percent of our collective population.

This figure blew my mind.

There are many agencies that are members of the Piedmont United Way, from the American Red Cross to one that is near and dear to my heart: SAFE (Services to Abused Families). Take a look at piedmontunitedway.org to see the entire list of agencies that are partnered with our local United Way organization. It is truly an eye-opener to see what types of agencies are affiliated with this wonderful community resource!

In these difficult economic times, the struggle is two-fold for United Way. People who normally are able to donate may either not be able to donate as much, or not at all. By the same token, the amount of people losing their jobs has increased by astounding numbers, thus needing more of the resources agencies partnered with United Way provide.

All these factors contribute to the very reason each of us should give, even if it’s a small amount.

The great part of contributing to the Piedmont United Way is that you can specify the agency or agencies for which you would like your money to be used. Or, as their brochure specifies, “If you direct your investment to the Community Fund, knowledgeable community volunteers will make sure your contribution will be used where it will do the most good.”

Their brochure also lists examples of how donations are used.

For example, it states that $5 per week, or $260 per year, provides 52 home-delivered meals to an elderly person. Last year, more than 33,000 meals were delivered.

Wow, $5 per week is a fast-food lunch, and I believe foregoing fast food for one day a week for just a year would be a win-win situation. You save on the fattening, cholesterol-laden calories of said fast food. And, by the same token, you’ve just helped some very deserving people.

Employers, there are many ways your employees can contribute. At our company, Cintas, we are having a “Casual Fridays for a Good Cause,” whereby partners donate $2 to dress casual on Friday. As well, we are holding a 50/50 raffle, with half the money going to the winning partner and the other half going to Piedmont United Way.

And, attention Culpeper — Cintas will be holding a yard sale Aug. 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. All proceeds will be donated to Piedmont United Way, so come on out and shop for some great bargains for a worthy cause!

Smith’s column runs every Friday on the editorial page.