Message From United Way of the Lowcountry President and CEO, Dale Douthat

Dear Friends,

On behalf of United Way of the Lowcountry, I would like to sincerely thank this community for stepping up to help our neighbors during this unprecedented time. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, our community has come together like never before. Businesses, non-profit agencies, and individuals have all answered the call for help. Non-profit agencies across Beaufort and Jasper Counties have rallied together to help our neighbors impacted by the pandemic.

At a national level, the United Way pushed hard for changes to the CARES Act so that all of our non-profit agencies were able to get the support they needed through SBA funding. At a state level, United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) partnered with Community Foundations and other funding sources to help guide financial support to our local community. At the local level, UWLC has been working behind the scenes to help provide information and resources to local agencies. UWLC has also been hosting weekly calls with our partner agencies, local non-profits, and community leaders so we can all work together during these challenging times. We have also extended our two-year grants to three-year grants in an effort to continue supporting our agencies without adding more stress. In addition, UWLC is providing direct assistance to our neighbors impacted by the pandemic through our HELPLINE and has established a COVID-19 Relief Fund.

United Way of the Lowcountry’s COVID-19 Relief Fund
This fund was created to assist the Lowcountry’s most vulnerable neighbors with the resources they need during this critical time. United Way of the Lowcountry will distribute 100% of the funds collected to provide services to residents in Beaufort and Jasper Counties to meet basic needs including shelter, rent and utility assistance, and other necessities due to the loss of income related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With so many in our community out of work and struggling to make ends meet, the call volume on our HELPLINE has increased substantially. Most of the families we are working with have never needed help in the past. With the support of this community and many of you, we are helping vulnerable families when they need it the most. We hope you will consider supporting United Way of the Lowcountry’s COVID-19 Relief Fund if you haven’t already. Please visit www.uwlowcountry.org to learn more or make a gift.

United Way of the Lowcountry has served this community for decades and we will continue to be here, helping our neighbors through these challenging and uncertain times. Thank you for your support. It is truly an honor and privilege to serve this community. Together, we are stronger.

Kind Regards,

Dale Douthat
President & CEO
United Way of the Lowcountry