Only the BAUW has the reach and expertise to bring together donors, other non-profits, neighborhoods, volunteers, and companies to pursue a common goal. Only through BAUW do we find community solutions to the common issues that affect us all. Issues such as enabling youth to meet their potential, ensuring that seniors remain independent and stay vital members of the community, providing safe havens for the abused, and helping those in need of basic servics and counseling.

Other organizations address specific causes, problems, illnesses, which are all good and valid and needed. But only the BAUW addresses the needs of our community as a whole. How do we do this? Funding priorities are established with a community needs assessment srvey funded by BAUW and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. The survey helps determine and recognize the issues that the community feels are important. Because BAUW fully understands the priorities of the community, it is able to direct donations to the programs focused in these problem areas.

We are volunteer-driven which keeps our administrative costs down to 18 cents on ever dollar. But efficiency is not the only reason to give to the BAUW. The most important reason is that you are supporting community golas - to make the Barrington area communities stronger, healthier, and an even better place to raise your family. Efficiiency is vital - and BAUW is uncommonly efficient. But getting value for your donated dollars is even more vital.

A $100 donation provides a senior citizen with a daily meal for 1 month from Meals on Wheels. In addition to ensuring proper nutrition, this service provides daily contact with the outside world and it allows caregivers to monitor the condition of clients.

Or, a $100, donation allows a young girl to participate in a Girl Scout program for one year, building the foundation to become a confident, caring individual with high esteem and self-confidence.

Proper stewardship of campaign donations is a top priority for the BAUW Board of Directors. The BAUW Board consists of local volunteers who oversee the allocations process, from start to finish. All agencies providing services in the BAUW area are invited to apply for funding. Under the guidance of the BAUW Board of Directors, community volunteers review review these applications, visit agencies, and evaluate the effectiveness/efficiency of funded programs. Volunteer panesl prepare final funding recommendations, and then the BAUW Board of Directors reivew and approve the volunteer panel recommendations.

Looking beyond our own immediate concerns and needs toward building stronger, healthier community for us all, is what BAUW campaigns are all about. The amount of an individual's gift through payroll deducation has a small impact on the donors take-home pay. However, this gift, when combined with others, will have a huge impact on the lives of people in need. While BAUW understands and emphasizes with the fears and concerns of employees who are uncertain about their future employment, we hope they will continue to commit to help provide the servies that so many peopl, perhaps even our own families, may need.

Certainly. It's important that we, as individuals, support those causes that are close to our heart. But it's also important that we, as a community, use our collective strength to address community problems and needs.