It’s amazing how quickly this year has blown by. At United Way of the Cape Fear Area, we may notice it more than others due to our year-long commitment to helping those in need in the Cape Fear area. Gone are the days of running an annual United Way campaign in the fall and tying up campaign results in early spring. With the ever-growing need and concern our community has for those who continue to go hungry, are in need of shelter, or have no access to affordable health care, the staff and volunteers at United Way are more committed than ever to working throughout the year to find long-lasting solutions that will help change lives.
 
In 2016, United Way of the Cape Fear Area will begin a year-long celebration of thanks highlighting our 75 years of helping those in need in the Cape Fear region. That’s a long time for any organization to be in existence, let alone a local nonprofit. And you’d be amazed at what we’re finding while looking back over seven and a half decades of history: years of amazing generosity; decades of giving from the heart; and almost a century of dedication and commitment by our neighbors and friends who have supported Wilmington and our surrounding communities.
 
Over the next year, you will continue to see stories and highlights as we will share our United Way story with you. It’s our way to say a special thank you to those who not only were a part of United Way in the past, but to those who we know will get involved with United Way in the future. And we welcome your comments and memories. If you were involved with our organization throughout the years and remember bits and pieces of the “old United Way,” please let us know. We’d love to hear about your memories over coffee and add your thoughts to our historic collection.
 
And finally, at this season of giving thanks, it almost goes without saying that the board of directors, staff and our hundreds of volunteers at United Way can’t say "thank you" enough to those in our community who give to those in need through United Way of the Cape Fear Area. As we’ve talked about, the United Way Community Impact Fund is what’s used to help support local programs in Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus and Pender counties that address the highest priority needs. Your generous gifts to this specific fund, combined with the gifts of many others, is working harder than ever to create long-lasting change that we hope will stand for another 75 years! And during this season of giving, if you haven’t given and wish to, whether that be a financial donation or a gift of your time and talents, give us a call. We are thankful for you and your continued, ongoing support of those in need, right here in our own local community.
 
Please visit www.uwcfa.org or call 910-798-3900 and speak with any staff member for more information about YOUR United Way. And again, thank you for all you do to make our community better.
 
Christopher L. Nelson is president of the United Way of the Cape Fear Area, a local nonprofit organization. Since 1941, the United Way of the Cape Fear Area has worked alongside local agencies in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties to assist them in providing substantial and sustainable change within the Cape Fear area. To learn more about the United Way of the Cape Fear Region, go to https://uwcfa.org/ or call 910-798-3900.