Union-Bulletin

From a highly successful 2010-2011 United Way campaign that brought in $441,680, nearly $350,000 will be distributed to Walla Walla and national organizations in the next year, according to Liz McDevitt, executive director of United Way of Walla Walla County.

About one-sixth of that amount was designated by donors to local and national agencies not affiliated with United Way, while nearly $300,000 will go to organizations that partner with it.

Locally and around the world, the nonprofit United Way strives to improve education for people while promoting healthy living and fiscal stability in families.

In Walla Walla an all-volunteer allocations committee, made up of community members, decided on the following awards, based on program effectiveness and financial soundness and all measured against community need, McDevitt said:

American Red Cross -- $16,000

Blue Mountain Action Council -- $15,000

Blue Mountain Heart to Heart -- $9,500

Camp Fire USA -- $26,000

Catholic Charities -- $16,500

Children's Home Society of Washington -- $39,500

Friends of Children of Walla Walla -- $12,500

Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho -- $100

Helpline -- $46,500

Lillie Rice Center -- $1,267

R.S.V.P and Center at the Park -- $7,500

Salvation Army -- $12,000

Walla Walla Community Hospice -- $18,000

YMCA -- $23,000

YWCA -- $42,000