Bennett: Before, during and after floods, United Way is here

Though a thousand-year rainfall caused flooding and devastation throughout our state last month, the clouds could not hide the lights of kindness, fellowship and generosity shone by this community.

The generosity continues to inspire, and it highlights the importance of United Way to the Midlands.

You see, when people and organizations from near and far so graciously rushed to the Palmetto State’s aid, supporters of United Way were already there. When you support United Way, your dollars are spent efficiently and effectively through organizations that are responding to the greatest needs.

This support allowed us, working in collaboration with Transitions and the Salvation Army, to open a shelter for the homeless before the first drop of rain fell. Your continued support will be critical in helping our community’s most vulnerable moving forward.

Individuals and families faced homelessness before the storm, and now even more are devastated by the reality of not having a home. Families who were on the edge of financial instability are now even more susceptible. Children who were behind in school are even more at risk after missing more than a week of class. And access to health care is even further out of reach for families dealing with the stress of rebuilding homes.

That’s why before, during and after the flooding, we remain focused on community impact.

Thanks to unrestricted gifts to United Way, we ensure that agencies such as the Family Shelter, Transitions and MIRCI can serve people who find themselves homeless from their own personal storms. Just as important is our funding for Lexington Interfaith Community Services and the Salvation Army, which work with public schools to prevent families from slipping into homelessness.

The truth is, personal dams break every day in the lives of our neighbors, families and loved ones. We exist to help those in need get back on their feet.

United Way works to make the Midlands a better place every day. We’ve already begun the long-term recovery planning process to ensure disaster relief donations are spent efficiently and effectively.

But it doesn’t take a disaster to see this happen. Our supporters create change every day. We’ve seen what it looks like when our entire community Lives United. Let’s keep going.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Bennett: Before, during and after floods, United Way is here."