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Working at Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Chuck Taylor saw the struggles of single parent families – especially the children.

As a minister, he daily dealt with people going through one type of struggle or another.

And as a counselor at Sage Garden Care Center, he often helped people who were having trouble just getting along.

So it’s no surprise that Taylor is a supporter of the United Way of Davie County. Through funding to groups and agencies and own their own, United Way does all of the above.

The United Way is getting ready to start its annual campaign, with a somewhat new focus of funding programs that help children. United Way workers and volunteers have spent the summer getting resources ready and identifying the needs of the community. Next comes fundraising and funding programs that bring solutions.

The United Way is using a “1 … 2 … 3” approach, and is nearing crunch time for its ability to do its part to make Davie a better place to live.

“United Way is important because they’re able to identify key areas of need in the community that aren’t being addressed,” Taylor said.

He also likes the fact that the agency collaborates with non-profit agencies, government agencies, churches and others to find solutions.

“It’s real easy for problems to get swept under the rug,” he said. “We must have the resources to fill in the gap.” It’s as easy as giving $1 a week. If all working people in Davie County did just that, it would bring in a half million dollars.

“We could eradicate a lot of these issues,” Taylor said. One in four Davie families will receive services from a United Way funded agency.

“We forget that so many problems are inter-connected. Those of use who have experienced success have an obligation to help others.”

Often, it starts with financial struggles. If kids are in the family, that problem goes through the roof.

Many of the non-profits United Way funds are good at what they do – but not at fundraising, where there either isn’t a skill or enough volunteers to do the job. “The United Way, they’re advocating for these non-profits.”

He suggests people give freely of their money, and if not, of their time. The United Way has open books, and willingly tells how each penny received is spent.

“I’m willing to stake my reputation on the work the United Way does,” Taylor said. “Our non-profits need the resources. Our children need the resources.”