United Way donations
can help save lives

As we all saw last Friday the annual United Way Campaign came up short some $300,000 to a goal of $2 million. But what I saw and participated in was a large group of dedicated volunteers along with the agency sirectors and the United Way staff working their fingers to the bone trying to reach out to everyone in Rowan County for support.

Yes, this was a hefty goal, but not one that couldn’t be reached.

As the chief of the Rescue Squad, I can assure you the Squad needs all of the financial support that the United Way gives us and the other 15 agencies do as well. The Rescue Squad uses the money to maintain our equipment, buy diesel fuel, stock our ambulances, maintain the “Jaws of Life” on the crash trucks, keeps the boats ready for a quick deployment to the lake, keeps the ATVs ready for quick responses to someone down off road, such as a deer or duck hunter. We respond to at least two deer hunters per year that have fallen out of their stands.

Our United Way funding is used for operational costs. We staff a qualified person, sometimes two, at our Main Station on Julian Road to ensure a quick response to your emergency. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the Rowan County United Way‘s annual campaign and their allocations to us.

If you helped with a donation this year, thank you. If you’re still willing to give towards this year’s needs please contact your local United Way Office at 704-633-1802.

— Eddie G. Cress

Chief, Rowan Rescue Squad