The Westfield United Way is Westfield's resource for human care. Since 1957, we have assisted our member agencies that fill a full spectrum of human needs for Westfielders by providing timely support for essential programs and services. Contributing to the Westfield United Way, like contributing to no other organization, helps strengthen and vitalize the broadest range of people in the Westfield community. The Westfield United Way is you; and people like you; who are actively engaged in Fund Raising, Budgeting, Public Relations, and Planning the largest volunteer effort in the community. It is local people raising local money to meet local needs, in a continuing effort to develop a teamwork approach for the needed human service in Westfield.
Who decides how much each agency gets? Who sets the goal?
An independent Fund Distribution Committee, made up of citizens representing you, the contributor, carefully studies and reviews the proposed budget for each member agency, and then makes recommendations of allocations to the Board of Trustees. The decision for allocations are based on necessary needs for specific programs and services rather than on an emotional appeal. You can be assured that your dollars are being spent in the most equitable manner possible - and helping agencies with the greatest need. We take our responsibility to prudently distribute the contributions entrusted to the Westfield United Way very seriously.
Who really benefits from the Westfield United Way?
You do! Every citizen and businessperson in Westfield benefits. The affiliated agencies touch the lives of Westfielders in many ways, not only through direct aid to the individual in need, but by reflecting a constant concern for the development of the community as a whole. Many benefit directly (every 2 out of 3 Westfielders) and everyone benefits indirectly by making Westfield a better place in which to live and work.
You do! Your neighbors - people who know your community and its needs. They not only give their money, but volunteer their time and their services - they set goals - organize campaigns - solicit gifts - budget funds to agencies and provide community planning. A volunteer Board of Trustees manages it. Westfielders working for Westfielders.
The Westfield United Way saves money wasted in individual campaigns; reduces the annoyance of separate drives; meets the most serious community needs first; conserves the time and talent of its volunteers; offers the opportunity to budget contributions over a year?s time; encourages high standards of agency services; frees agency personnel to devote their full time to agency programs; and is the most economical, efficient approach to community fund raising yet devised.
