United Way: Your Continued Support Is Critical AN EDITORIAL By Jerry E. Clark   The national economy has turned a bit sour this past month and some family budgets have had to tighten - in some cases, tighten substantially. That is the smart thing to do, as the nation waits for the credit crunch to ease and business to return to normal. Locally, some needs remain the same or due to the economic situation, have increased. There is one organization which has earned and deserves the public's long term confidence and respect: the Lexington-Rockbridge United Way. This year's goal is a big challenge, but it's one that may be met with the continued support of both businesses and individuals. While some of us continue to be "challenged", we hope that the many important local organizations that the United Way effort here supports, aren't forgotten. To just name a few: the Rockbridge Free Clinic, the RAOC (Rockbridge Area Occupational Center), the Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA), Blue Ridge Legal Services, the ARC of Rockbridge, Meals for Shut-Ins, RATS (Rockbridge Area Transportation System), Rockbridge 4-H Clubs, Rockbridge Regional Library, Stonewall Jackson Area Council Boy Scout, The Talking Book Center, the Valley Program for Aging Services, and the Yellow Brick Road Learning Center. All of the above-named programs contribute to the overall "wealth" of this community. Much hard work is done by these caring, critical organizations. Much necessary work, indeed. What do they all have in common, other than the fact that they serve hundreds of individuals in many ways? They all have budgets which need to be funded. These organizations often have many non-paid volunteers and get thousands of hours of free labor from the good citizens of this community. But there are costs that cannot be met by mere goodwill alone. And that's where you come in. Please consider a generous donation now so these organizations may proceed with their good deeds, as they help many in our community grow. Your support has been wonderful in the past, for the success of the United Way campaign locally has been a sincere testimony to the goodness and generosity of the area public for decades. It's easy to make a contribution: log on to www.unitedwaylexva.org or do it the old fashioned way by calling 540-463-4482 and making a pledge. You'll be glad you did - and, not surprisingly, so will hundreds of others.

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