Contributions to United Way of the Lowcountry help save lives — in part by improving health. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile serves Beaufort and Jasper counties, providing much-needed health and dental services to families in need.

“We believe that when you change a child’s life, you change a family’s, which can change a community and ultimately, the world,” said Nikole Gore-Layton of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. “Through our programs we strive to change the lives of as many children as possible. The Care Mobile program is impacting the lives of children and families every day.

“Dental screenings, dental cleanings, fluoride treatment, sealants, and dental education were provided to 1,622 children in the Lowcountry last year. Nearly two-thirds of the children served were not Medicaid patients. A total of 4,528 procedures were performed that enhanced the health and well-being of children in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” she said.

A $100 contribution to United Way of the Lowcountry provides X-rays for three children in the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. Those X-rays can keep a child healthy — or keep a child alive. That’s just one way United Way of the Lowcountry works to make this a better place to live, work and grow.

Added to United Way of the Lowcountry’s traditional work to provide basic needs: Starting this month, volunteer reading tutors will work in eight Lowcountry schools. The goal: Ensure that students are reading at grade level when they enter fourth grade. That ties to the long-term goal to reduce dropouts by 50 percent within 10 years in all Beaufort County and Jasper high schools, said Peter Post, chairman of the United Way of the Lowcountry Board.

Today’s update: the United Way of the Lowcountry Board of Directors announced gifts and pledges have been received totaling  $1,053,184, about 38 percent of the organization’s 2012 Fall goal of $2.8 million.

Please give and help meet the needs of the community, and meet the $2.8 million goal. To learn more about United Way of the Lowcountry and its work to make our community a better place, call 843-982-3040 or visit www.uwlowcountry.org. A secure online payment system is available.