The United Way of the Eastern Panhandle has been a blessing to local non-profits and I have been fortunate to see the results at the agency level. Over the past 15 years, I have worked with two different non-profit organizations that receive United Way funds. As an agency recipient of these resources, I have had the opportunity to see the power of the United Way from a first hand perspective. From helping a chronically ill patient manage a diabetes diagnosis at the Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic to giving a child the tools to excel in school at the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, the United Way supports results driven programs within our community. In addition to funding community solutions, the United Way brought new volunteers through the doors of these non-profits simply by introducing Day of Caring to our community. Not only were we able to complete many necessary projects within those facilities, but we were also able to share our mission with those volunteers. Our United Way has truly shown the eastern panhandle what it means to Live United and that is why I am grateful for its support.

I am very impressed with the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The leadership and staff of this charity truly seek to administer this program in accordance with the fiduciary capacity in which they have been employed and they work hard to ensure that every dollar that is given is utilized in accordance with the mission and vision of the organization. They have established processes for reviewing their funding agencies to determine appropriate distributions of funds. These processes are friendly, but rigorous, and include members of the community who provide input into the process and results. UWEP is also very forward thinking in addressing community issues. They have often served as the fiscal agent for community initiatives that have not fully organized into formal non-profit organizations, but which initiatives add value to services already provided in the region. They are prudent with the management of their funds and not extravagant in their administrative expenses. I would not hesitate to recommend to donors in the region that they consider the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle in their charitable giving plans.