By Melody Moxley

Special to the Salisbury Post

September is National Literacy Month, and is thus a good time for those of us who work with the Rowan County Literacy Council (one of the Rowan County United Way’s 16 member agencies) to highlight the critical importance of the support provided by our United Way volunteers, donors and staff.

This United Way support allows the Literacy Council to assist adults, both English-speaking and ELL (English Language Learners) in our community with reading, a most fundamental skill that a lot of us take for granted. Can you imagine not being able to read a book to your child or grandchild? A job application? Medicine labels? Your child’s homework so that you can assist? The newspaper? A book for pleasure?

These are activities that, while mostly taken for granted by many of us, are not possible for an estimated 15 percent of Rowan County’s adult population.

Can you really imagine that? It means that you probably encounter someone who needs help with reading at least once or more a day in your daily life, though you probably won’t be able to tell.

United Way support provides the Rowan County Literacy Council the ability to train and support our volunteers, who work one-on-one with adults to reach their individual goals and in so doing improve their lives, families and community.

In 2014 your United Way donations, the support of the United Way, and the dedication of our volunteers provided 4,913 hours of tutoring to our adult learners.

Working together through the efforts of the United Way, the lives of adult learners have improved by allowing them to realize their goals, be better prepared for the future, and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant community.

This is all made possible through your donations to the Rowan County United Way. Together, we can build a better community: Red, White, and U: United We Can. Thanks for your support of the Rowan County United Way!

Melody Moxley is president of the Rowan County Literacy Council.