I am absolutely honored and thrilled to serve as the current Board Chair for the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley.  For more than seventy years, United Way has been a trusted, local community leader, with a goal to enhance the quality of life for community members, families, and children. The positive impact and reach of United Way has created meaningful change in the lives of our neighbors, friends, and family. 

United Way has a reputation of serving as a key player in ensuring that we have a collaborative, resilient region where every person can thrive. They have created strong partnerships and relationships with numerous organizations (such as the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus 2025, the Chamber of Commerce, Fort Benning), companies (AFLAC, TSYS – A Global Payments Company, Synovus, Columbus Consolidated Government, Phenix City/Russell County) and educational institutions (Troy State University, Columbus State University) and individual donors. 

As a member of the Board, I have the privilege to see first-hand how the United Way team works together to offer services and support and create opportunities for individuals to get involved and make a difference in our community. Whether working with Home For Good, Women United, Emerging Leaders United, the Loaned Executive Program or with Community Schools United…the opportunities for individuals or groups to volunteer, work together and build a community that cultivates economic development and prosperity are unlimited! 

I am always amazed to witness the transformation of our educational platform that benefits our children and youth through partnerships through the Community Schools Program, The Basics, local schools, and our valuable community partners. These programs provide for success beyond the classroom and create safe spaces for our children and youth to thrive and experience opportunities for success. We know that while the availability of resources may be widespread within our community, access to many of these resources are not. Your gift and support of United Way helps us mobilize the collective power of volunteerism, contributions, and deploy these monetary investments responsibly. 

As a donor, I know my financial support in United Way is a reinvestment in credible programs that provides valuable services and an enhanced quality of life for many individuals in our community. The reinvestment process is intentional, follows excellent stewardship practices and the foundation of a good life and is in alignment with established priorities, indicators and goals expand our positive impact and to advance equality in our region. 

The bottom line is “The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley seeks to advance equity and achieve child, family, and well-being.” 

To learn more about United Way or to explore volunteer opportunities, you can check out their website at unitedcv.org. Follow their social media and take a listen and subscribe to their “Chatt With Us” podcast.  

GWENDOLYN HARGROVE RUFF, SPHR 
Senior Vice-President 
Columbus Water Works