July 1, 2015

Dear CEO,

We are lucky to call Southwest Virginia home - from Norton to Galax, Abingdon to Grundy, Big Stone Gap to Marion. From beautiful White Top to Breaks Interstate Park, our region is the crowning jewel of the commonwealth.

We know that our region is only as strong as its foundation. Community is strongest when ALL of us have the best opportunities to care for ourselves and those we love. When our neighbors, our friends or our families can’t get ahead, our community is weakened.

But the support of your company and your employees ensures that our community is strong. Your support will help individuals meet their basic needs. Including children like Isaac.

Isaac was hungry every weekend, until he started receiving food through Backpacks Unite. Now Isaac doesn’t feel gnawing hunger, but instead knows that people in his community care about his needs. He received a backpack of food every Friday to keep him from going hungry over the weekend. Backpacks Unite serves 380 children, so that they arrive at school Monday morning focused and ready to learn.

United Way of Southwest Virginia serves more than 350,000 people in an almost 6,000 square mile area of Southwest Virginia, including Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wise Counties, as well as the Cities of Galax and Norton.The scale enhances our ability to advocate for Southwest Virginia on issues facing the region and influence greater social change.

The commitment of our corporate and community partners is crucial to our success. You can be a part of the change! We are so grateful for our local companies who designate their corporate gifts to cover business, marketing and fundraising costs. And you can rest assured that 100% of all funds donated to United Way of Southwest Virginia STAYS in the community to meet critical needs.

Your gift today is an opportunity for you to make a difference. Imagine the helping hand you can extend to another Isaac.

With gratefulness for your choice to LIVE UNITED,
Travis W. Staton

PS. As proof that working together accomplishes more than any individual group. Last year:

  • 196 people got emergency relief
  • 380 children received healthy, child-friendly foods over the weekend
  • 169 domestic violence victims obtained legal services
  • 12,520 people benefited from counseling and shelter services
  • 2,183 children improved their leadership skills, and
  • 7,951 people received medical care.