United Way of San Joaquin County

On the open sea, there is only one thing that stands between a ship’s safe harbor and the ravaging power of wind and wave.

It is, perhaps, the simplest part of the vessel, a simplicity that belies the fundamental necessity.

In the fact of high-tech modern design improvements, it is the one part which, since man’s first ocean-going ventures, has not changed.

And, despite its elemental importance, it is the one part of the ship that most of us never see.

It is the keel.

It is this simplicity, this fundamental necessity, this tradition and this quiet significance that United Way Keel Club is all about.

It is about leadership, initiative and, perhaps most elementally, an understanding of personal and community responsibility.

And, poetry aside, it is about giving. Giving at a level that not only inspires others, but which of itself provides the base of support and strength from which United Way can move ever more vigorously in its direction of helping people care for one another.

The stability and direction of this community and United Way agencies that serve it are in the hands of people like you.

This is an invitation for you to accept the challenge, assume the leadership, and make a significant identifiable difference in the quality of life for all the citizens of San Joaquin County.

What difference and opportunities will the Keel Club giving make possible in our own community?

The Keel Club Gift Levels -

Admiral Giving ($5,000 to $9,999)
• $9,999 will provide one-on-one tutoring for 20 children for one school year.
• $5,500 provides full access to opportunities and services at Boys and Girls Club for 20 low-income kids.
• $5,000 will help 800 cancer patients with transportation, medical equipment and support groups.

Commodore Giving Level ($2,000—$4,999)

• $4,000 results in $40,000 worth of donated and surplus food distributed by Second Harvest Food Bank to agencies feeding the poor and the hungry.
• $2,500 will provide 20 abused women with legal consultation and educational workshops.

Captain Giving Level ($1,000—$1,999)
• $1,600 is 30 hours of orientation and mobility training for a visually impaired person.
• $1,000 will shelter a homeless family of four for one month and will provide services to help them obtain employment and housing.

Commander Giving Level ($750—$999)
• $999 will provide reading materials for 100 emotionally disturbed children, ages 7-17, to increase their reading level by one year.
• $750 provides an emergency 5-day supply of groceries for 100 low-income families.

Pilot Giving Level ($500—$749)

• $749 early intervention for a developmentally disabled child, 0-3, for 3 months.
• $500 Provides professional counseling services for ten pregnant teenagers.