United Way has long been known as the “everyman’s” (or everywoman’s) charity because of its focus on lots of people giving what they can more than being limited to only those who can contribute large sums.

A key premise of the call to the LIVE UNITED campaign is that everyone can do something that contributes to the common good. That something goes beyond giving to include advocacy and volunteering.

The last three months of the year is the busiest time in the United Way world because our major fund raising activity occurs now. However, it is also the time of peak demand for services because the weather is turning cold and the holidays are approaching. Of all the services funded by United Way, energy assistance tops the list of needs despite the fact that there is a large pool of both government and utility company assistance available.

That’s why we provide a number of opportunities for people to help meet this need in Madison County. First, a significant portion of program funding is directed to basic needs. We also support the Community Access Network with a fund that the case managers can use to help people in extreme circumstances. Friend to Friend is a special campaign that is directed entirely toward energy assistance.

Yet, the need continues to grow. Local energy assistance personnel report that more than 1,100 applications have been processed since the program opened on Oct. 5 and appointments are already booked into January. There are more than 150 emergency requests that can be addressed at the rate of 6 to 12 each day.

Going beyond traditional financial contributions for this great need, United Way will, for the third year provide a volunteer opportunity to help. On November 7, teams of volunteers will help out at least 75 houses in Madison County – Alexandria, Anderson, Elwood and Pendleton – to be warmer and more energy efficient during Operation Weatherization.

“We really appreciated this gesture, especially in our time of need,” said Monica, an Elwood resident who was helped last year. “My husband was out of work and my factory went overseas. When they called me to tell me my house had been selected to be a part of this project I didn’t believe it. I didn’t know organizations actually did stuff like that.”

Other comments from last year’s recipients:

- I don’t have a lot of money and I care for my granddaughter. This project made a more comfortable life for her especially.

- I live on a fixed income and after I buy my groceries and pay my bills there really isn’t much left for anything else.

- It helped keep us warmer throughout the winter and our utility bills also went down. It was great.

This year it’s easier than ever to participate in Operation Weatherization. Just log on to volunteermadisoncounty.org and register or call Nancy Anderson at 608-3064. If you can’t lend a hand that day, you can also help by contributing to the event. Additional support has been provided by Lowes, Vectren, Saint John’s Health System, St.Vincent Mercy Hospital and its medical staff, and JobSource.

Nancy Vaughan is president of United Way of Madison County. She can be reached at 643-7493 or

n.vaughan@unitedwaymadisonco.org.