Common Objectives

I don ‘t need help why should I give?

While you may not think you have received help if you have taken an American Red Cross CPR class or swimming lessons or your children have participated in a YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, or Boy or Girl scouts program you have received services. Giving through United Way is a simple way to insure comprehensive care is available.

I give to my church?

Giving to United Way ensures families who face multiple problems are provided basics like food and shelter and important services to remedy or prevent their needs from escalating or reoccurring.

My spouse gives why should I give too?

Giving to United Way is a personal choice. You join others in your company in a team effort when you choose to make your own contribution. Many employers match their employees donations, increasing the amount of dollars raised. You might want to consider the advantage of dividing what you and your spouse give between your two pay checks. Many families give together and report their joint gift for leadership recognition.

Why not just give direct to an agency?

We brought together volunteers from government, business, faith, and education; over 70 individuals, to help identify the issues and determine funding levels for our Community Solutions partners. Giving direct to an agency is always an option but to provide the comprehensive care needed by families requires community intervention. United Way fimding insures that the community’s needs are met. Inmost agencies United Way support is leveraged as matching money for state and federal grants.

I heard my favorite charity didn ‘t receive all the money that they requested from United Way. Why should I give?

The community recently completed a needs assessment. The responses we received from this assessment underscore the need for United Way to be flexible in their funding to ensure we are meeting local needs. While some agencies may have received all of the funding they requested this was not a reflection on the services they provide. Along with an increased in lost pledges because of non-payment, the percent increase in pledges to our campaign have remained in the single digits for a number of years. Our families are facing new problems every day. Finding funding for these emerging needs required us to make some tough decisions and adjustments to funding.

Doesn ‘t United Way fund abortions?

Simply the answer to this question is NO. United Way of Lawton-Fort Sill is an independent autonomous organization governed by local volunteers representing the morals and values of our community. These volunteers identify and recommend funding for all the programs our United Way supports. That does not include abortions. Each year over 300 individuals serve on United Way of Lawton- Fort Sill’s board or on various committees.