Page 39 - August 2019

Dale Douthat

New President and CEO, United Way of the Lowcountry

Here To Serve

story by NATHAN LIVESAY

N ew United Way of the the board agreed to highlight his skills, Douthat also feels strongly

about helping to connect people to
Lowcountry President and CEO experience, and attitude when they
announced his hire.
Dale Douthat and his wife,
organizations they are passionate about
Dawn, had always wanted
Douthat has become passionate about
and treasure to make their community and
to relocate to a coastal community. They During his time serving in non-profits, so that they can share their time, talent
had been searching the east coast for the serving others. “I discovered if we focus the world a better place.
right one for almost a decade, but before on serving others instead of being “I firmly believe that most human
last December they had never even heard served, we can make a real impact in our beings want to help… the challenge is that
of Beaufort, South Carolina. A google community. For me, that service includes we don’t know where to start. The concept
search of pet-friendly accommodations coaching and leadership, not only staff, of being impactful is so overwhelming…
led them to the Beaufort Inn for a quick but volunteers as well as our neighbors the value of the United Way is that we
getaway in December. They loved the who are in need. People come into and research the organizations we fund, we
town so much another visit in February out of your life, but if you focus on the require them to meet certain criteria and
followed and the Douthat’s knew that this developmental aspect, people become we hold them accountable for the way
was the place they wanted to be. Shortly better than they were when they came to they use the funding we provide so that
thereafter, Douthat stumbled across the you.” donors can be confident that gifts are
United Way job description in Beaufort being used well.”
and less than six months from that google “I discovered if we focus As a new school year approaches,
search Douthat was moving into an on serving others instead United Way of the Lowcountry is currently
apartment to begin his new job. looking for volunteers to participate in
Douthat comes to Beaufort from of being served, we can two activities that benefit school children -
Louisville, Kentucky where he served Read Indeed! and Operation Backpack.
as Director of ReStore at Habitat for make a real impact in our Read Indeed! serves to match
Humanity. Initially, he volunteered his time community..." volunteers with students to read together
as a break from his job, but he was soon throughout the year. They currently serve
recruited away from a successful career -Dale Douthat around 800 students at 13 sites and are
in advertising to the idea of the Restore. need of volunteers who will commit to
Douthat agreed to take on the role for Douthat has been on the job for less 1-2 hours per week throughout the school
two years, however, 14 years later he than two months and is focusing much of year. A background check is required
was still in the role and had been able to his time on getting to know his staff and and training is provided for volunteers.
turn the idea into a successful business on learning about his organization and For more information on how to become
with 3 retail locations, a distribution the community. During this time he has a part of this program go to https://
center, a paint recycling center, and 30 already observed that the United Way uwlowcountry.org/read-indeed/
employees. has some great programs in place but that Operation Backpack is an effort to
United Way of the Lowcounty serves there is still a tremendous amount of need make sure students are prepared for the
the community through funding partner in the community. beginning of the school year. School
organizations and direct initiatives aimed “We have so many good things going supplies and monetary donations are
at providing basic needs, education, on, but people don’t realize the great collected and over 1,000 students
health, and income/family stability for amount of need that is in our community. received full packed backpacks last year.
residents throughout Beaufort and Jasper There are pockets of need and poverty For more information on how to assist
Counties. When Douthat ran across the that still need our help. We are working with Operation Backpack go to https://
job description for the position he knew to generate more funds so that we can uwlowcountry.org/operation-backpack/
it would be a perfect match for him and make a bigger impact in those areas.”

www.BeaufortLifestyle.com | August 2019 39