Congratulations to the volunteers of the year honored Wednesday by United Way of the Columbia Gorge.
    Honorees are: Gladys House of Youth Community Center in White Salmon; Gary Fisher of Hood River, representing Hood River County SMART (Start Making A Reader Today); and Wishram’s Jan Stewart of Community Enrichment for Klickitat County (CECK).

United Way recognized these hard-working people at Wednesday’s annual Agency Social; Hood River News will publish details on the honorees in the July 21 edition.

The annual social was where United Way passed out checks,  totaling $147,000, to CEKC, SMART, and the White Salmon Center along with 39 other groups whose works benefit children, the elderly and the disadvantaged.

In tough economic times, United Way’s support goes far to sustain programs meeting hunger, literacy, housing and social service needs in the Gorge.

Thanks for that goes to the community — individuals, businesses and organizations who donated to the campaign in 2009.

The money has now come home to roost.

The campaign will begin again in September (including the second annual Luau Sept. 16, with an expected 500 attendees). There are many among us who are hungry, unemployed, disabled, or in need of counseling, companionship or encouragement, and United Way will return again with requests to channel assistance to organizations out there doing this work in our communities.