United Way at 60% of Its Goal   Having reached nearly 60% of its goal of $250,000 – almost $150,000 and $10,000 ahead of last year’s pace -- the United Way of Lexington-Rockbridge County (UWLRC) continues to explore ways to serve the community on a wider scale. Expressing appreciation for all the donations and pledges that have been coming in, especially from new contributors, Executive Director David Dax said, “Donating to United Way is the most efficient and effective way to support a variety of service providers in the Rockbridge area. The fifteen agencies that United Way will support in 2010 from the current campaign are American Red Cross Central VA Chapter, ARC of Rockbridge, Blue Ridge Legal Services, campus Kitchen of W&L, Meals for Shut-Ins, Rockbridge Area Free Clinic, Rockbridge Area Occupational Center, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, Rockbridge Area Transportation System, Rockbridge Regional Library, Stonewall Jackson Area Boy Scout Council, Talking Book Center, TAP--Project Pride, Valley Program for Aging Services, and Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center.” UWLRC continues to work closely with the Shepherd Program on Poverty at Washington & Lee University as well as with a network of social service providers to address issues associated with poverty in the Rockbridge area. It will co-host the third Commission on Poverty gathering at the Maury River Senior Center in Buena Vista on Thursday, November 19th. “United Way and the Shepherd Program are encouraged to see the sustained commitment to this effort on the part of those who have been attending, especially since United Way’s first community service forum in October of last year and the joint community forum with the Shepherd Program in April of this year,” said Dax. “Because the human needs in our community are so great – especially in these difficult economic and political times -- we look forward to some concrete action steps that will result from these gatherings.” Finally, UWLRC has been participating in efforts by the County to turn the former Natural Bridge High School into a regional sustainability center to enhance the area’s economy. Anyone who is interested in contributing to United Way’s fall campaign or in volunteering to help it in its community-building efforts should contact David Dax at 540-463-4482 or email him at ddax@unitedwaylexva.org for more information. Donations and pledges can be sent to UWLRC at P.O. Box 1094 (218 South Main Street), Lexington, VA 24450.

* * * * *