I have been a United Way contributor for as long as I can remember, but I am more excited about increasing my gift this year than ever before.

I have the privilege of being the campaign chairman for this year's campaign, and I have learned some things about the tremendous value United Way of the CSRA provides our community that I want to share with you.

Now, I know what you are probably thinking: "He's the chairman and just wants to set a good example." Well, I must confess I do have a responsibility to set a good example, but I am increasing my gift for a lot more reasons than just out of a sense of responsibility for a position, and here are just a few compelling ones.

What is United Way and what does it do?

United Way of the CSRA started in 1936 as a community effort to consolidate giving to ensure that the health and human services needs of our community were being met in the most efficient and effective way. By "writing one check," a business or an employee could conveniently provide assistance to those in our community who needed it most.

Guess what? Our vision and mission have not changed.

OUR VISION: United Way is the leader in identifying health and human services needs and securing and distributing those resources to meet these needs. OUR MISSION: United Way improves life in our community by maximizing the impact of charitable contributions.

How does United Way accomplish its vision and mission?

United Way performs a Community Needs Assessment every five years to identify unmet needs that should be addressed by existing partners or new partner agencies. It also ensures existing agencies and programs are meeting the needs of the community and avoiding overlap of services.

You see, United Way has a network of 19 partner agencies in the CSRA who undergo an annual assessment to determine their impact on the community. Each agency is reviewed by a panel of volunteers to ensure its leadership, programs, financial stability, and effectiveness are of the highest standard.

So, your United Way is here to: 1) determine what the health and human services needs of the community are; 2) ensure that those needs are being met efficiently and effectively through its partner agencies or bring in a new partner to meet the need; and 3) provide a convenient way for your generous gift of hard-earned money to help the most people during their time of need.

How many people are helped and what kinds of needs are being met?

United Way's partner agencies served nearly 100,000 area residents last year. Thanks to your generous gifts:

- Over 1,700 individuals were served through the United Way-funded Disaster Preparation and Relief program at the American Red Cross (this number includes the volunteers who were trained to help during times of disasters). Have you or someone you know experienced a fire or a flood in the home and found themselves without clothing or shelter and no one to talk to? That doesn't happen in the CSRA, thanks to your generous gift.

- 228 people received tutoring through Communities in Schools in Burke County. That means these children have a great chance of graduating from high school and getting into a college to further their education or learn a skill that will enable them to get a good job and support their family. It also builds self-esteem in children to encourage them to do their best. Have you or someone you know wanted to hire a tutor for a child and couldn't afford it? Your gift to United Way makes sure a child can get the help they need.

- 820 people received counseling assistance through the Family Counseling Center. Have you or someone you know had difficulty with a spouse, child, or personally and not known whom to call or couldn't afford to get help? Your generous gift ensures this does not have to happen to you or someone you know.

- 872 disabled individuals were able to participate in special programs at The Family Y. Are you or someone you know disabled and not able to participate in the kinds of activities that others are able to do? Your generous gift to United Way ensures that you or someone you know with a disability has the opportunity to take part in activities that are vital to their health and wellness.

- 211 - This is not a number of people served in a particular area of need; it is the phone number everyone in Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties can dial 24/7 to find out where to get help for themselves or someone they know.

Do you or someone you know need assistance with providing a Christmas for your young children? Call 211 to get connected with someone who can assist. Do you want to know where you can get your child enrolled in an after-school program that provides a true learning experience and not just extended day care? Call 211. Are you or someone you know a victim of domestic abuse or sexual assault and need counseling or assistance (other than law enforcement), call 211.

Your United Way funds this call center to ensure that everyone gets help when they need it.

This all sounds good, but what's in it for me?

I am glad you asked The answer is very simple: The Caring Club. There are more than 40 merchants and professionals who have decided they want to thank you for being generous by being generous to you.

So, if you will commit to give just 40 cents per day, you can become a member of The Caring Club and receive freebies and discounts all over Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties. You don't get some coupon book that gets forgotten in the door pocket of your vehicle or has a limited number of coupons for each vendor. You get unlimited access for one year to all of the vendors with one simple card that you can put right next to your debit card and use every time you make a purchase with one of the participating merchants.

You will get discounts on dry cleaning, a free dessert with a meal, 2-for-1 pizzas, 2-for-1 burgers, free iced tea with a meal, discounts on gift baskets and flowers, and even a discount on your home loan closing or a will for your family.

You see, the spirit of giving is contagious, and once you catch it, you won't be able to stop giving and you will encourage others through your generosity. That's why our board decided not to set an overall goal this year. You see, we don't want to put a limit on your generosity. We know that you realize the needs are greater than any goal we could set, and that you want to be able to help as many people as you can.

So, if you haven't heard about a campaign being sponsored where you work, ask your supervisor. Or, if you are a business owner and want to offer your employees a chance to become members of The Caring Club, call us at (706) 724-5544 and find out how easy it is to sponsor a campaign.

When you give to United Way, you and your employees get to write one check and not worry about whether you are touching the community where it needs to be touched. United Way ensures that your contributions are used wisely to address the most pressing needs in our community. I hope each and every one of us will become a member of The Caring Club.

Mark Maund is the 2007 campaign chairman of the United Way of the CSRA Inc. and a principal of CB&H Business Services LLC. Business leaders and economic officials interested in the In Your Words guest column should call Business Editor Damon Cline at (706) 823-3486.