History
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County traces its roots
to Community Chest of Asheville, founded on June 7, 1921, the
first such philanthropic organization in North Carolina. Community
Chest’s initial campaign lasted one week and raised over
$85,000 to benefit eight local agencies: Associated Charities,
Lindley Training School, Municipal Band, Community Night Schools,
Mission Hospital, Good Samaritan Mission, the Salvation Army
and the YMCA.
Community Chest changes
its name to United Fund. Sears-Roebuck conducts the first employee
campaign; 99% of its workers
contribute an hour’s pay per month, setting a standard
for “Fair
Share Giving” that continues to be applied today.
United Way assumes operation of the Volunteer Service
Bureau, established by the Junior League of Asheville. A new
24-hour Help Line, later called the Information and Referral
Help Line, links individuals in need with agencies that can
help them. It will evolve into First Call for Help and, later,
2-1-1 WNC.
The Loaned Employee Program is established.
United Way’s campaign nets over $1,000,000, a new
record for contributions.
Key United Way volunteers establish The Peaks Society
to recognize those individuals and couples who give back to
their community at the leadership level.
United Way purchases a building at 50 South French Broad
Avenue to serve as its new offices.
The local Alexis de Tocqueville Society is established
to recognize individuals and couples who contribute $10,000
or more annually to United Way.
United Way creates Children First as a community initiative.
Day of Caring becomes the venue for campaign kick-off.
The United Way campaign nets a record $5,000,000.
First Call for Help is the first information and referral
service in North Carolina and fifth in the nation to be accredited
by AIRS, the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems.
First Call for Help becomes the first 2-1-1 Call Center
in North Carolina.
United Way opens the Volunteer Center to further promote
volunteerism in the community. 2-1-1 expands its services to
Henderson County and launches an on-line database.
Peaks Society members form Highlands Circle to recognize
and increase giving from community leaders age 40 and younger.
2-1-1 adds Transylvania County to its service area.
The Diamond Donors Recognition Program honors Buncombe
County givers who have made contributions for 25 years or longer.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County funds a record
91 programs managed by 43 local nonprofit agencies.
The Volunteer Center becomes known as Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
County.
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