Those looking to support a community agency that provides needed services to residents now have a new option when it comes to donating funds.

The United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County recently launched the ability to make donations online through their website. Online donations are starting off slowly, but UWECC Community Impact Coordinator Crystal Carter anticipates they will pick up steam as supports learn about the new donation option.

When Carter stepped into the leadership role for the local United Way, one of her goals was to establish a method for online donations.

“Hopefully this will allow those who can’t give through a workplace campaign to still give,” Carter said.

So far for this year’s campaign, Carter said the agency is on track to meet its fundraising goal of $125,000. All of the funds raised will stay here to support service organizations providing programs for individuals in Elizabethton and Carter County.

Right now, the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County has raised around 48 percent of that goal, and they have until the end of January 2018 to secure the remaining funds.

Last year was the first time in more than a decade the local United Way met their annual campaign goal and the agency is hoping to build on that success for the coming year.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Give Me $5,” which focuses on the concept that if everyone gives a little it adds up to a lot.

Anyone interested in making a donation can do so online by visiting the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County’s website at www.uwayecc.org and clicking on the button that says “Give.” Donations can also be mailed the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County at PO Box 1715, Elizabethton, TN  37644. The agency can also set up monthly donations as auto draft deductions from checking or savings accounts.

In addition to establishing the online donation system and working on the annual fundraising campaign, Carter has also been working to build new community partnerships to help meet the needs of the community. One of those new partnerships is working to provide a clothing closet at the United Way office for those who are in need of clothes.

For more information about the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County or its community partner agencies, visit their website at www.uwayecc.org, email them at director@uwayecc.org or call 423-543-6975.