Today in the CSRA there are many education, social service, health and employment issues that need our attention. It's difficult to know how to decide on where to invest time and funding to have the most impact to enhance these building blocks for a better life. This is where United Way of the CSRA can help.

By collaborating with community leaders and volunteers, United Way assesses community needs, identifies the gaps and builds on the existing strengths and skills of more than 40 programs at our 18 partner agencies to advance the common good.

In addition to our funded programs, United Way of the CSRA has expanded four partnerships to better serve the community at large.

- FamilyWize: This card can provide an average of 30 percent savings on prescriptions for those with no health insurance or in need of medicine not covered by their health insurance plan. Cards are provided by United Way free of charge to anyone upon request with no waiting, no age or income restrictions and no limit on usage. Since its July inception, over $42,000 has been saved on prescriptions in Burke, Columbia, Jefferson, McDuffie and Richmond counties.

- United Way 211: A three-digit phone number that assists citizens in the CSRA with finding the health and human services they need. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So far this calendar year, 12,148 calls have been received from the 12 counties in the CSRA.

- VISTA: AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program designed specifically for the purpose of fighting poverty. United Way serves as a regional intermediary coordinator of VISTA in the CSRA, currently sponsoring 34 volunteers assigned to work at nonprofit agencies to increase volunteerism, grants, in-kind donations and marketing.

- Caring Club: By contributing at least $144 annually to United Way's Community Investment Fund, you will automatically receive a Caring Club card to use for discounts and special offers at 50 local, participating businesses. This is our way of saying, "Thanks for supporting your United Way of the CSRA."

Great communities are known by how they help those in need. We invite you to be a part of the positive changes United Way of the CSRA is bringing to our local community. Through your contributions to United Way, we can live united to help youth succeed, promote health and wellness, provide basic needs and strengthen families and individuals.

Please contact the United Way at (706) 724-5544 or visit their Web site at www.uwcsra.org for more information on how you can invest in the needs of our community.