United Way the first County charity to meet all Better Business Bureau standards For Immediate Release December 8, 2004

Just in time for the holiday giving season, the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio released its second annual Charitable Wise Giving Guide this week. The publication is a quick reference tool meant to help donors decide which charities they should use to support their communities and favorite causes. For the second consecutive year, the United Way of Union County is the only Union County charity to meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s Charitable Accountability Standards. Of the 382 charities included in the guide, 62 met all of the standards. Organizations that pass prove that they meet standards in how they govern their organization, in the ways they spend their money, in the truthfulness of their representations, and in their willingness to disclose basic information to the public. The release of the Giving Guide coincides with the debut of the BBB’s “Seal” program that allows organizations that have completed the BBB evaluation process and met all of the standards to use a BBB Charity Seal that identifies their organization as being in compliance with the new charity standards. The United Way of Union County will be placing the Seal on its website and future publications to make investors aware of its status with the BBB. “The United Way of Union County should be complimented,” said Kip Morse, President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. “They were one of the first to step up and meet the standards and one of the first to step up and say ‘We want to be a part of your Seal program.’ Charities that do that are going to help charities across the state when they say ‘I want to be a leader in this program,’ and I think that needs to be commended.” Morse says the Better Business Bureau receives about 1,000 calls a day from consumers looking for additional information about local businesses and organizations. Donors doing their homework on local charities can now turn to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Guide for a listing of charities and tips for better giving. He says it truly does mean something that a charity has met all 20 rigorous accountability standards. “Once you’ve done that, that makes a huge statement that you have a commitment to your community and that you are willing to uphold the highest standards,” Morse said. “A donor should acknowledge that.” “When we had the opportunity to align our organization under the umbrella of the Better Business Bureau, we jumped in head first,” said Dave Bezusko, Campaign & PR Director for the United Way of Union County. “It is so very important for the donor to know that their contribution is really going to help someone who needs it. The Better Business Bureau is a reputable resource on the side of the consumer and investor. It is a privilege to be included in their Wise Giving Guide and it helps us show our community partners that we deliver what we promise.” For a copy of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Guide, call 1-800-759-2400, or access it online at www.centralohiobbb.org.

For more information, please contact the United Way of Union County at 644-8381 or by e-mail at unitedwayuc2@imetweb.net.