Celebrating 125 years!

United Way of Central Washington originated in Yakima County in 1955, and we are part of a movement that is celebrating 125 years of improving lives.

During this milestone, we celebrate those people and organizations - past, present and future - who continue to advance a movement to create opportunities for a better life for all.

In 1887, a Denver priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city’s welfare problems. The Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J.O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for ten health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make emergency assistance grants in cases which could not be referred.  That year, Denver raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the country to become the United Way. 125 years later, United Way is still focused on mobilizing the caring power of communities and making a difference in people’s lives.

Join the movement.

You can give.

You can advocate.

And you can volunteer.

That's what it means to LIVE UNITED.