Helping people in our community overcome numerous challenges is what United Way has done for over 100 years. At her previous job, Karen Anderson saw firsthand how donations and the United Way can help change lives.

“For the majority of my career, I was an operations manager at Goodwill Industries. I saw firsthand how a contribution to a social service agency can help an agency take their services that much farther,” said Anderson, who is now a part of the AAA Medicare insurance team. “I worked with a lot of people with all kinds of disadvantages and disabilities, and we did whatever we could to help them reach their potential. If it weren’t for United Way, there would be far less support for people who really need it.”

Anderson said the United Way campaign is an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.

“It’s wonderful to see someone blossom,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of. When you’re approached to give a donation, you might not think about all the good that your donation can make. Just a little bit can go a long, long way, and I think it’s a great thing.”

Many years ago, Anderson met a young woman who received services from the United Way and Goodwill Industries. The recent high school graduate had vision impairment and came from a disadvantaged home, and just needed some guidance, Anderson said. With the help of the social service agencies, the young woman began working in a Goodwill donation center and, over the years, was promoted to store manager.

“If she hadn’t had that support… well, you never know how things could have turned out for a person,” Anderson said, “But she is just one of a thousand good examples of people impacted by these services.”

By donating to the 2022 United Way Campaign, Anderson saw how easy it is to make a difference and help people throughout her community.

AAA Western and Central New York’s 2022 campaign with its associates will run through the end of May.

“You can trust United Way to use your contribution wisely across a wide variety of charities and social service agencies,” Anderson said. “You don’t have to worry which organization to donate to — United Way puts your contribution to work with reputable charitable organizations.”

Please join us in supporting the efforts of the United Way. With generous support from people like you, we can make sure we’re helping people in our community and reimagining a more equitable future, where everyone can thrive.

To participate, visit the website of your local United Way.