In January of 1936, a small committee met to discuss the possibility of starting an organization to support local charities. Even during uncertain economic conditions, Schuylkill County residents generously gave to their community and the first campaign raised $72,000 to help support numerous local agencies that offered essential programs and services. In the early 1970s, the Community Chest became the Schuylkill United Way and since then, has raised and returned more than $22,000,000 back to the community. Currently, the Schuylkill United Way helps support 15 partner agencies that are located throughout Schuylkill County and solely provide programs and services to county residence at little or no charge. Last year, 88,500 county residents were served by at least one of our partner agencies. That number accounts for over half of the entire population of Schuylkill County. The Schuylkill United Way is independently run by a volunteer 30-member Board of Directors drawn directly from the community. Board members and officers are comprised of businessmen and women who live and work in Schuylkill County and the immediate surrounding area. This diversity allows the Schuylkill United Way to always be in touch with the needs of our community. Members of the board, the committee, and volunteers are focused on meeting the needs by supporting and providing programs and services to members of our community who need help the most - whether it's emergency shelter, health care, family counseling, youth programming, drug prevention, or disaster relief.
