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Oklahoma May Tornado Disaster Relief Fund
United Way of Central Oklahoma has set up a May Tornado Relief Fund to meet tornado victims immediate and long-term needs. Donations can be made online at www.unitedwayokc.org by phone at 405-523-3598, 405-523-3597, or 405-236-8441 and by mail at United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.
Now recruiting for AmeriCorps VISTA CODES 2013-2014 Positions!
Want to apply to become an AmeriCorps member? Visit our recruitment pages for position descriptions and stipend/benefits information: AmeriCorps VISTA: CODES
We are trying to recruit 15 volunteer mentors to become a Big Brother Big Sister mentor for 15 Pickens County children who are currently on a waiting list. Learn how you can make a difference in the life of a child by visiting Get Connected.
Looking Back on Over 120 years of Caring...
In 1887, a Denver priest, two ministers, and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city's welfare problems. The Reverend Myron W. Reed, Monsignor William J. O'Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for ten health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make energy assistance grants in cases which could not be referred.
That year, Denver raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the country to become the United Way. Over 120 years later, United Way is still focused on mobilizing the caring power of communities and making a positive difference in people's lives.
From the birth of the United Way in 1887, its power to give and care for people grew. Throughout the turn of the century and into the mid-1990's, large cities such as Boston, Cleveland, Chicago and Pittsburgh followed in the footsteps of the religious leaders in Denver and began to help the members of their communities who were in need.
The organization we know today as United Way of Pickens County was officially born in the 1950's when a group of volunteers organized the Pickens County United Fund. A director, William C. Brothers, was hired in the early 60's and the first official campaign was held in 1962. This first campaign raised $52,331.53 and 22 agencies were funded.
The Pickens County United Fund became a corporation in December 1970 and received tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization in October 1971. In August of 1975, the organization's name was changed to United Way of Pickens County.
