United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations...
...that work to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.
United Way of
America is the
national
organization
dedicated to leading
the United Way
movement. Local
United Ways create
long-lasting
community change by
addressing the
underlying causes of
the most significant
local issues. Common
focus areas include
helping children and
youth achieve their
potential, promoting
financial stability
and independence,
and improving
people’s health. Our
goal is to create
long-lasting changes
by addressing the
underlying causes of
problems.
It takes everyone
in the community
working together to
create a brighter
future. So we bring
together people from
all across the
community–government,
business, faith
groups, nonprofits,
the labor movement,
ordinary citizens–to
tackle the issues.
Because we all win
when a child
succeeds in school,
when a family
becomes financially
stable, when people
have good health.
Mission
The United Way of
Greater Texarkana,
Inc. mission is to
increase the
organized capacity
of people to care
for one another.
United Way values
the effective and
efficient
accountable use of
resources, and
responds to the
changing needs of
our community.
Together with the
Partner agencies, in
assessing our
community's health
and human services
priorities; we can
develop quality of
life opportunities
to every member of
the community
through reaching out
to civic,
government, and
social
organizations.
History
The first organized
United Way campaign
held in Texarkana
was 1924, when it
was decided to hold
an organized fund
raising campaign for
four member
agencies. The
Salvation Army,
American Red Cross,
Boy Scouts and the
YWCA were the first
to apply for
funding. This, of
course, was a less
expensive way to do
fund raising, and
also left the health
and human service
agencies available
to perform services
for which they were
experts.
Over the years, the
United Way
experienced several
changes in name,
some of which were
the Community Chest,
the Red Feather and
the United Fund.
UWGT steadily grew
from the start. In
1924, the
contribution goal
was $32,000, and
$43,098 was raised.
In 2000, a total of
20 agencies were
supported by United
Way. Today United
Way is closer to
reaching the million
dollar goal.
United Way of
Greater Texarkana
has four major
events that happen
each year. Two
extremely important
are the Allocations
process and the
annual fund raising
campaign. 2003 began
the first UWGT
Telethon in
partnership with the
Texas Independent
School District
Tiger-Vision and
CableOne. The Week
of Caring is a week
long event where
local businesses are
teamed up with
non-profit agencies
to complete much
needed projects in
one week. This event
engages over 400
people coming
together for one
purpose - to build a
stronger, healthier
more compassionate
community. In 1999,
the first annual
Leadership Circle
Reception was held.
This honors those
individuals who, by
making a significant
financial
contribution to
United Way, "reach
those who need help"
in our community.
This event will
continue to grow as
more individuals
leave the workplace
and discover the
simplest way to make
a difference is
through the United
Way.
In Our Office
Mary Wormington
Chief
Professional Officer
