Mission Statement
United Way understands that you really want to make a difference right here in our region. We want to help you do that. Our experience tells us that the best way to help the most people is to focus on the underlying causes of the most serious problems.
Here in our community, we’re focused on critical issues like healthcare, education for adults and children, and the rising number of working people living on the edge of poverty. It takes the whole community working together to reach our goals in these areas. So we bring together people from all across the community-people from government, business, faith groups, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens. If it requires fundraising or just getting people to work together, that’s what we do.
Your United Way contribution goes to work bringing lasting change right here in our community because that’s what matters.
Description
In 1963 a group of local citizens formed the United Way of Washington. The organization was created for the purposes of assessing the need for human service programs on a consulting basis, to seek solutions to human problems, to develop and expand human service programs in Washington County Virginia, and to foster cooperation among local, state and national agencies serving this community.
Andrew Miller served as President of the first United Way Board of Directors. Board members and officers included: L. C. Angle, C. B Hale, E. W. Potts, Pearl Jones, Ruth Austin, Mrs. T. C. Caldwell, D. M. Cooke, Mrs. Ernest Copenhaver, Ike Crabtree, Mark Farris, W. H. Groseclose, George A. Hall, Thelma Ireson, Mrs. James G. Johnson, Mrs. Fred McConnell, Mrs. Frank McClaughterty, Mrs. L. H. Mongle, Mrs. Oscar Porterfield, Mrs. David Roberts, Jr., Dr. Harrison Spencer, and George Summerson.
Between 2009 and 2013, United Way grew to serve Carroll, Grayson, Russell, and Smyth Counties and the City of Galax, operating under the new name, United Way Virginia Highlands. The newly merged entity encompasses more than 28 towns and one city, serving over 168,000 residents, covering nearly 2,500 square miles and will continue to serve as one of the largest non-government health and human services funder in Southwest Virginia. United Way Virginia Highlands currently supports more than 50 non-profit agencies across Carroll, Grayson, Russell, Smyth and Washington Counties and the City of Galax, Virginia.
