Letters to the Editor for Feb. 1, 2010

United Way needs help from locals

It’s gut check time for United Way of Eastern Oregon-Baker County. We have been attempting to resurrect a program that has been in Baker County before but fell by the way side several years ago with some “ill feelings” attached.

We hope enough time has passed to overcome these negatives and move forward.

We are also now aware that “payroll deduct” programs through local employers are few, which means that “self-imposed” payroll deduction is our only viable option. That means that we as individual citizens of Baker County must be willing to budget charitable giving on our own.

We are also aware that most of us have our “favorite” charities that we are currently supporting. That said, we have 10 local agencies that have asked United Way of Eastern Oregon-Baker County for continued assistance: American Red Cross; Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America; Bread of Life food bank; Compassionate Friends; CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); Girl Scouts; MayDay; North Powder Food Bank; Northeast Oregon Compassion Center; and The Salvation Army.

In our struggling economy where “volunteer dollars” are harder than ever to come by we are appealing to all citizens of our county to re-think their charitable giving and help our local needs stay viable.

If you can find it in your budget to support one or all of these agencies with a one-time, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual contribution, please call me (Hal Huntington) at 541-523-2114.

Remember, monies raised in Baker County stay in Baker County unless you designate otherwise.

Your local board members thank you for “living united” and caring about our own. You may also call me if you have any questions or opinions you wish to share with us.

Hal Huntington

Baker City