April 8, 2020
These are scary and trying times. I’m not normally a worrier, but I am worried now. Not for me...I am retired with a home in which to shelter-in-place, a stocked food pantry and a sufficient supply of toilet paper. I am concerned for the far too many people in Charlotte County who are already homeless or just one paycheck away from not being able to support themselves and their families. With the lockdown during the pandemic, an increasing number of these paychecks are now gone.
Through the years, my walks and bicycle rides around Punta Gorda have given me the opportunity to interact with some who are chronically homeless. Many of us see them everyday, we have placed names with faces, and enjoy talking with them and helping out whenever we can. They are always pleasant, surprisingly upbeat, and hopeful for the future. That’s all changed. On my socially distanced walks now, I see their somber looks of helplessness and despair. It's heartbreaking to witness and I realize the faces familiar to me are just the tip of the iceberg here in Charlotte County.
Many of us will receive stimulus checks over the next few weeks and are looking for ways to use at least a portion of the money to help the community. Supporting local 
businesses and restaurants with this money is an excellent idea. Equally important, I would encourage folks to give to the United Way of Charlotte County. It’s such an effective way to get critical assistance to the people in our community who need it most*, especially at this difficult time.
Please join me April 28 and 29th in supporting your local United Way during the 2020 Giving Challenge. Your $100 donation, thanks to matching funds from the Patterson Foundation and FPL, turns into $300 and will have a tremendous impact locally. We will make a difference.
Bill Wood - Board member, UWCC
#BeTheOne #BeUnited