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.