That’s the theme of the 1997 Trident United Way campaign, “The Power of One.” One contribution to the Trident United Way can help many people in need in the Tri-county community. Just $7 a week provides one hour of speech therapy to 10 hearing impaired people; $10 per week provides substance abuse prevention education for 178 youths; and $15 per week provides one year of transportation services for 17 elderly people.

When you contribute to the Trident United Way, you can earmark your donation to fight hunger and homelessness, to care for older South Carolinians, or to support programs for families in crisis or people with disabilities.

This year, the Trident United Way aims to raise $4.5 million to support its 43 member agencies. Our goal as an MUSC family is to raise $165,000.

Without the Trident United Way, programs like the Boys and Girls Club of the Trident Area, Inc. might not exist. The club offers programs to give at-risk children help with leadership development, alcohol and drug abuse avoidance and career exploration.

The United Way also helps keep groups like the S.C. Autism Society afloat. Funds from the United Way pay for support groups across the state for people with autistic family members and for an annual convention on autistic issues.

Experienced volunteers knowledgeable of local needs keep administrative costs low by monitoring agency programs and community needs to determine where donations will do the most good. As a result, more of your precious contribution goes to support health and human services in our community.

Take this chance to show your power and donate to the Trident United Way. Look for contribution forms in The Catalyst and through campus mail. Or, call 792-1099 for more information.

Dear MUSC Employee:

As chair of the 1997 Trident United Way campaign, I want to ask for your support and to present the reasons why the campaign deserves our investment and participation.

This year’s theme, The Power of One, articulates the impact of a choice that you have. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” You can make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate, and the Trident United Way provides that opportunity for you.

When you read the brochure sent by campus mail, you’ll see that 43 agencies benefit through the United Way. Consider the impact of them on the Charleston area...if there were no shelter for the homeless, no Red Cross to help pull us out of a disaster, no Family Y, no special services for underprivileged and abused children...the implications are almost unthinkable.

In considering a gift, you may want to reflect on the quality of life you enjoy and the opportunities you have as a member of the Charleston and MUSC community.

I encourage you to actively demonstrate your recognition of the value of the United Way, and its many agencies, to the citizens of the Lowcountry. Become a donor... become the power of one to help change a life.

Sincerely,

Richard W. DeChamplain, D.M.D. Dean, MUSC College of Dental Medicine

A resident of Charleston for more than 18 years, Dr. Richard DeChamplain has had a long and distinguished career with the Medical University and the College of Dental Medicine. Prior to his appointment as dean in 1993, he had served as professor and chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery since 1979. He is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed an Oral Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Walter Reed General Hospital.

Dr. DeChamplain’s generous spirit of community service has benefited a number of Lowcountry programs including the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and the Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts of America. He has also provided free dental services to a variety of individuals who could not afford the dental care they needed.