Board of Directors

President Karen Madison UBS	Vice President Rich McBride North Central ESD
Chair : Finance Committee Susanne Altman Certified Public Accountant	Chair: Fund Distribution Committee Bruce Campbell Smith Barney
Co-Chair : Campaign Harvey Gjesdal Douglas County	LaVerne Bergstrom Washington Apple Commission
Richard Brinkman City of Leavenworth	Jill Courtney Interwest Telecom Services
Stephanie Eberle Community Volunteer	Ruth Esparza Northwest Justice Project
Camp Fuller Hammond Collier Wade Livingstone	Colleen Huber Douglas County PUD
Greg Jones Chelan County PUD	Dave Petersen SkillSource
Jerry Reilly United Parcel Service	Kenny Renner-Singer Icicle River Middle School
Betsy Yount Douglas County	Joseph W. Blackmore Columbia Valley Community Health
Mark Botello City of Cashmere	Marjie Brown Wheatland Bank
Peggy Gill United Food & Commercial Workers	Kerrie Mitchell Highgate Senior Living
Peggi Moxley Attorney	Todd Reno Wenatchee Valley Medical Center
Becky Sager Wenatchee Valley Mall	Russ Dixon The Wenatchee World

Our Staff

Executive Director Alan R. Walker Since August 2006

Administrative Assistant Trina Kennedy Since June 2007

FAQ
(frequently asked questions)

What is the United Way?
It is a community, non-profit, fundraising organization operated by a volunteer board, comprized of local people. It has twenty-four member agencies that serve people in need through nearly forty different human healthcare programs.

Who can be a member agency of United Way?
Any 501(c)(3) human health care service agency may apply to become a member if it has a program which meets a need in our area, and if it is not a program already being provided by another member agency.

Who decides how much an agency gets?
The Fund Distribution Committee, consisting of over forty volunteers representing the local community, reviews each agency's program funding requests and recommends how much each agency should receive. The United Way Board then reviews the committee recommendations and makes the final decision as to how much the agency will receive.

What are the advantages of United Way?
It is the most direct and efficient way to distribute charitable dollars, to do the most good for the most people right here at home. We all have our favorite charities but there are some community problems that cannot be solved by hit-and-miss giving.

Why should I give?
The atmosphere of any community is directly influenced by the health, happiness and well being of every person. House fires, debilitating accidents, abuse, unemployment, old age, lack of skills, no housing or adequate food all impact our community. United Way services are community services. They are for everybody and know no economic boundaries. The reality is "can we 'ford not to give?" The needs of people are not going to disappear nor can they be ignored. Your charitabe donation can help United Way continue to be an important resource in addressing these needs. And your contribution is tax deductable.

How do I know that my contribution will go to the people who need it most?
United Way's member agencies go through an extensive application process to be accepted as a member. They submit a detailed application which is reviewed by a United Way volunteer board committee, and ultimately approved by the board of directors. In addition, each member agency thoroughly screens it's clients to assure that your donation is used in the most effective way possible, helping people who want to help themselves.

Besides a donation, how can I make a difference for United Way and it's member agencies?
Volunteer as a Campaign Account Executive. These volunteers work with local businesses and organizations to develop workplace campaigns. They are the heart of United Way and are responsible for the majority of the money that is raised each year.

Volunteer as a Fund Distribution Panel Member. After the fundraising campaign is completed, these volunteers interview each agency and recommend how much should be allocated from the Community Care Fund.

History of United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties

The Wenatchee Welfare Federation was started on April 1, 1939, as a community, lead volunteer, fund-raising organization. Officers were Mr. Clarence Johnson, President, Mrs. J.W. Hungrate, Vice President, and Mr. Russell Congdon, Secretary/Treasurer. The first campaign was run by professional fundraiser, Mr. Harry Markell, of Portland, Oregon. The goal was set at $20,000.

The Federation’s name was confusing to those seeking relief and pensions, so it was changed to the Wenatchee Community Chest, on August 21, 1939. A drive was conducted annually, to raise money for the Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, Camp Fire Girls, and the Y.M.C.A. It operated under the name of Wenatchee Community Chest until 1956, when it was chartered as a non-profit corporation under the name of United Good Neighbors (UGN).

In an effort to tie into the nationally recognized and publicized name of United Way, the membership of United Good Neighbors approved a name change to United Way of Greater Wenatchee, in 1974.

Given the fact that member agencies were providing services to the Chelan and Douglas County area, the membership unanimously approved a name change to United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties, on April 26, 1982.

Whatever the name, our mission has always been “to be a leader in mobilizing and allocating resources to address changing community needs and to improve the quality of life for our neighbors”. And, we’ve done just that – since 1939.

This year, United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties celebrates 67 years of connecting people to what matters – improving lives and building a strong community. The history of United Way is one of tremendous impact. In the past 10 years alone, we have invested almost $4 million in local services that make a lasting difference in the lives of people throughout the Chelan and Douglas County area.

No other single organization supports as many different services or is as effective in ensuring the needs of people living in our two County area.

We work year around to make sure that your donated funds are well-spent in support of programs that produce results. United Way works to ensure that dollars are creating lasting changes in the lives of people. We are also working to improve the ways people can connect with services. United Way is helping to bring 2-1-1 service to our community. 2-1-1 is a toll-free hotline that provides information and referrals that link callers to services when they don’t know where to turn.

Our impact is due to the generous support of donors and volunteers. If you are already a donor or volunteer, thank you for being a vital part of United Way. If not, I invite you to browse our website to learn how you can get involved.

Please join us in doing what matters – providing hope for people right here in the community we call home.

Alan Walker
Executive Director