Holiday Help
United Way's 2-1-1 offers clearing service to area charities

UNITED WAY 2-1-1 SERVICE ACTS AS CLEARING HOUSE FOR HOLIDAY HELP

Churches, the Marine Corps, nonprofits, sheriffs' departments and other human service organizations in the greater Chattanooga area are calling on the 2-1-1 Christmas Clearing service provided by United Way of Greater Chattanooga so they can avoid assistance duplication this holiday season.

Whether you know someone in need or you represent an organization that is providing holiday help, you can dial 2-1-1 from any of the 16 counties in Chattanooga's service area. Check the United Way web site at www.uwchatt.org or call 423-752-0300 for a list of counties it serves. Operators on call at 2-1-1 will work to connect resources to needs in time for the holiday season.

Churches, social clubs, companies and other organizations that want to provide holiday help to children and families this season should contact United Way's 2-1-1 no later than Friday, December 11. If you know of a child or family in need of help this holiday season, please call 2-1-1 no later than Friday, December 11. All area nonprofit organizations are encouraged to take advantage of this service.

Calling United Way by December 11 gives 2-1-1 operators time to match those who want to help with those in need. Sometimes, families who need help may request assistance from more than one organization because they don't want their children to be left out. The Christmas Clearing service allows organizations to save resources by avoiding duplication within the same family, while at the same time helping more families in a timely and efficient way.

United Way's 2-1-1 uses an advanced web-based data system called Service Point. It allows staff to see which services an individual or family has used. If the system shows an organization has agreed to provide gifts for a family or child, United Way then helps other organizations - ones that may inquire about the same individuals - to make informed support decisions by supplying information about services that family has been offered or has already received.

Some area organizations participating in 2-1-1's Christmas Clearing service are Chattanooga Human Services, the Forgotten Child Fund, Northside Neighborhood House, Samaritan Center, Signal Mountain Social Services, Rhea County United Way, and the Catoosa County Department of Family and Children's Services. 

Families needing assistance can dial 2-1-1 for information and referrals to organizations providing services in the greater Chattanooga area - including Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in North Georgia. In areas where 2-1-1 is not yet available, residents may dial 423.265.8000. The hearing impaired can dial 7-1-1 (Tennessee Relay Service). Go online at www.LiveUnitedChattanooga.org or call 423.752.0300 for more information about this or other services.

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