Montgomery County United Way 2015 Update

 
GIVE.  ADVOCATE.  VOLUNTEER. 
 

Last week the Rotary Club of The Woodlands was delighted to have David Argueta, President for CHI St. Luke’s in The Woodlands as its speaker to discuss the 2015 Montgomery County United Way (MCUW) Campaign for which he is the Campaign Chair.

 
“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” - Albert Schweitzer
David is a strong believer in all that MCUW does to support the community.  Mobilizing local resources – money and volunteers – to solve local issues is at their very core.  Under the guidance of our very own Rotarian, Julie Martineau, the MCUW is focused on results oriented programs.  This allows for transparency and accountability ensuring that those very valuable resources are applied in the appropriately.  As a results of this results orientation, Charity Navigator awarded the MCUW a four star rating – the only charity in the county to receive that honor. 
Three avenues of service are currently being pursued with great success. 
  1. Opportunities for Education – providing opportunities that may otherwise not be available.Outside of traditional scholarships, the example was given of a young mother who was awarded a child-care grant and is on the President’s List and preparing to go to nursing school.
  2. Health and Wellness – programs that get to the heart of the matter.As an example, teachers at a local school were provided with education and training to implement after-school exercise programs – not for the students, but for the teachers.One participant has lost 57 pounds in the first year and 90% of all the participants have lost weight.
  3. Financial Independence – from education to tax assistance to make participants more fiscally literate.Since the program started, more than $3,600,000 of tax refunds have been processed with a large portion coming from earned income tax credits.
David closed by recognizing the continued support that Rotary as a whole, and The Rotary Club of The Woodlands in particular, has provided to United Way over the years.  Multiple past Campaign Chairs as well as a number of current and past Board members are included in our ranks.  GIVE.  ADVOCATE.  VOLUNTEER.