Our View: Five weeks left

With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, we recall sentiments uttered weeks ago by Vickie McClelland about this most American of holidays.

It was at the first public report of the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley’s annual fundraising campaign that Ms. McClelland, executive director of the Free Medical Clinic, stated that when Turkey Day does roll around folks should be ever mindful of all for which they have to be thankful. For Ms. McClelland, that includes the United Way, whose fund distribution buttresses her organization’s worthy efforts in providing medical care to the indigent.

“We would not be able to do it,” she said, “without the support of the community.”

As of that initial report, this community — despite a still-fragile economy — was well on its way toward assuring that the United Way achieves its campaign goal of $1.115 million. At that time, with $580,770 raised, the drive was more than halfway — 52 percent, to be exact — home.

Such good news, music to the ears of campaign chair Mary Nordman, can be attributed to engagement all along the spectrum of giving — from larger companies such as Trex (whose corporate contribution jumped 25 percent this year) and the Federal Naval Credit Union (whose Winchester Operations Center employees joined the local campaign this fall) to the kids at the Boys and Girls Club who’ve been hard at work collecting “pennies for a purpose.” The club is one of 40 partner agencies served by our local United Way.

Now, with five weeks left in the campaign, the final push begins. It is our hope that the spirit of the holiday season almost upon us will serve as further inspiration to a community seemingly so intent to “live united.”