From the Board | Gary J. Weyhmuller

For some, United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia & Vicinity (UCP) is a fairly complex organization providing many different types of services to children, adults, and their families living with a variety of disabilities. Some UCP programs take place in our center, while others are provided in the community. We have a variety of funding sources, both public and private.

When I look at UCP, what I see is much simpler. It is a place filled with people facing challenges in their lives, supported by a group of dedicated staff and volunteers.

UCP has always been fortunate to have a solid base of supporters who believe strongly in the work that is done here. Our friends are a diverse group of people—board members, event committee members, volunteers, and donors. Some have had personal experiences with disability and/or our services, while many have not.

The common thread among our supporters is a passion each person has for UCP’s mission to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities and a shared vision to create a world where people with disabilities can live their lives without limits.

During these difficult economic times, we have watched revenue from fundraising events significantly decrease, as federal and state funding streams threaten to freeze. We know that we will continue to count on our old friends for their support.

But now, we must ask you to do a little more.

It is time for us to find new supporters. We need you to get out there and network. Look through your Rolodex, Blackberry, or iPhone. Consider introducing your colleagues and friends to the wonderful people who make up UCP and the work that we do.

UCP is trying to reach out to a new network of individual and corporate donors through its involvement in givephilly.org, a partnership of seven area youth development and family service organizations, while seeking out new volunteer leaders through its participation in Leadership Philadelphia.

It is important that we make new friends in order to ensure that our programs will be available to those families in our region who need our services.

I invite you to come for a tour and see first hand the power of the people at UCP. If you come for a visit, bring a friend.

Please contact me at gweyhmuller@ucpphila.org or UCP’s Director of Development, Lola Bungeroth at lbungeroth@ucpphila.org.