Fund-Raising Drives at Work

This letter is written in response to “County Workers Urge Veto of Bill on Fund Raising” (Metro, Aug. 27).

Senate Bill 1256 would allow county government employees to participate voluntarily in fund-raising drives during work hours, providing charitable organizations the opportunity to reach this large market. Its intent is solely to facilitate voluntary giving by county employees. United Way has always supported strictly voluntary contributions, and SB 1256 is in no way meant to coerce people into giving.

The article failed to mention that taxpayers also benefit from our community’s health and human service agencies. Second only to the government, United Way supports more health and human service agencies in our community than any other organization. Last year, 256,000 youths were reached by United Way agencies’ delinquency prevention programs and 794,000 boys and girls participated in educational and recreational activities. 570,000 people received emergency food and shelter and another 600,000 received health care services. In fact, more than 3 million lives were touched by United Way funds, translating into one in three people in greater Los Angeles.

Today, our community’s needs are greater than ever. With our midyear unemployment rate of 8.5%, the highest since 1984, the poverty rate in Los Angeles County is now higher than the national average. And the number of homeless families has increased by 17% over last year.

At a time when the state budget deficit has forced cuts to vital health and human services, our community counts on individuals to contribute to these service agencies more than ever before.

United Way supports SB 1256. Charitable fund drives in the county work force will allow county employees to voluntarily pitch in along with other sectors of the community in these critical times of need.

EVON GOTLIEB

Volunteer Chair

Government Affairs Council

United Way of Greater Los Angeles