Editorial: Take the United Way survey; respect initiative reaches Africa

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 28, 2019

It’s no different with the United Way of Davie County.

They need our help.

Visit https://www.davieunitedway.org/ and fill out the survey. I did. It was harmless, and it only took a few minutes. The information you provide could be valuable.

“As our community is continually changing with increasing needs and limited resources, the United Way of Davie County must ensure that it is aligning itself in a way to effectively and efficiently meet the changing needs of the community. We are continually working to build on the history and strengths of our United Way and to develop partnerships that focus on issues and strategies to effectively create a positive impact on our community.”

Those are the words of United Way of Davie CEO Melinda Beauchamp.

Why the survey?

Because the United Way really does care. They sponsor a Day of Caring every year, giving local residents a chance to help local non-profits and people in need.

The United Way operates a Teachers Supply Closet, where Davie teachers can get needed items for their classrooms.

The United Way partners with My Free Taxes, providing free tax service to anyone making less than $64,000 a year.

The United Way sponsors the 2-1-1 telephone service, open 24 hours every day and manned by trained personnel to get people to the right resources in their community, help with everything from housing or food insecurity to utility payments.

The local agencies who receive funding from United Way include Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Buckle Up Davie, Cancer Services, Davie 4-H, Davie Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis, Davie Family YMCA (water safety education for all county second graders), Farmington Community Center (for seniors and the special-needs population to have a place to enjoy activities, crafts and life-enriching resources), Just Hope, Meals on Wheels and more.

Yes, the United Way of Davie County does a lot to make life better for all Davie residents.

Complete the survey.

• • •

Respect is more than a hit song by Aretha Franklin. It’s something we can never have enough of, and our young people are leading the way in showing us ways to respect each other a bit more.

The Davie Respect Initiative held a contest last year in which young people could submit ideas on how to spread respect. Ten of those young people were awarded $1,000 each to carry out their respective project.

The ideas were great.

The whole idea was so great that a man from Africa, visiting the United States, saw a copy of the Davie County Enterprise Record with an article about The Respect Initiative. He went back to Africa and started one in his own community. He was amazed at how much young people there wanted to help, too.

For the next few months, we will feature a quote from a young person in Davie County dealing with respect. The first comes from Kayla Roscoe. She received an award to start a group of young people who help the elderly or handicapped to do yard work. Her friends jumped at the chance to help, so don’t let anyone ask you “What’s wrong with young people today?” Nothing is wrong. They’re good kids and they want to do good things, we just have to help and encourage them.

Respect Quote of the Week

“Saying ‘hello’ or simply smiling at people on the street can create a feeling of acceptance or friendliness when their day may not be going so great.

— Kayla Roscoe

Mike Barnhardt is the editor of the Davie County Enterprise Record.