In Massachusetts, we are cursed and blessed with high taxes and a tightly woven safety net of state-funded social services. But, as has always been the case, the needs of the less fortunate outstrips the help state taxpayers provide through a plethora of agencies and programs.

So, for decades, United Way charities have drawn on the time and energy of caring volunteers concerned about their communities enough to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations annually – hyper-local contributions that are rerouted directly to neighbors in need.

Allocation of the money is controlled by local volunteers who painstakingly asses the needs and resources of member social service agencies and organizations to make sure the money raised goes to the most deserving. No formulas or algorithms.

This year Franklin County United Way is handing off to a new generation of young professionals to carry on this important work. This year’s fund drive chairwomen are Liz Fisk and Amanda Abramson-Clarke, who announced this season’s goal of $750,000.

Fisk works for WHAI & Bear Country and is the vice chairwoman of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, and Abramson-Clarke works for Cohn & Company Realtors, and follows in the steps of her mother, a former campaign co-chair.

The co-chairs have introduced as their slogan, “Fight for Franklin County,” encouraging people to use it as a hashtag when posting photos to social media. Not your mother’s campaign networking.

“In this economic and political climate, you have to fight for what’s right,” Abramson-Clarke said as the drive opened earlier this year. “So in Franklin County you have to fight for what’s right.”

This is exactly what their predecessors have done for years, and we are glad to see the next generation perhaps using new fundraising methods and strategies but leading us all in the right direction.

“It’s all about the next generation and making sure it continues for years to come,” says Nate Johnson, director of North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy, another United Way member agency.

Fisk and Abramson emphasized the campaign’s desire this year to spell out to people exactly how their money will be used and what organizations it will go to.

One example is the Hilltown Youth Theater group, whose Recovery Theater programming provides a creative outlet for children overcoming various forms of trauma, depression and behavioral health struggles, presented what it does.

“That’s our goal,” Fisk said, “to really frame for this community how important and vital the United Way is.”

North Quabbin

The Athol Area United Way launched its annual fund drive with a parade in downtown Athol this fall, which seems so appropriate because the services it strives to support lie at the heart of the community as well.

Hundreds of local youth, coaches, Scouts, Salvation Army volunteers and others lent their support by marching down that parade route to announce the arrival of the 2018 United Way Campaign. This year, participants were asked to bring a canned good to the parade. The food was donated to local food pantries, along with food packaged during the United Way Day of Caring event at L. S. Starrett Co. Sept. 21.

The Athol Area United Way serves six agencies: Athol Area YMCA, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Literacy Volunteers of the Athol-Orange Area and the American Red Cross. While smaller than its Greenfield-based neighbor, this drive nonetheless is a vital service to the North Quabbin region.

Last year, more than 13,000 health and human services were provided to local people by the Athol UW member agencies. Those services include emergency assistance aide (food, shelter and clothing), recreational and educational services through the YMCA, including swimming, child care, camp and fitness activities, literacy education, leadership development through the Scouts and food and clothing assistance from the Salvation Army and American Red Cross.

The campaigns have begun, and will continue throughout the rest of the year. Individuals can donate through many of the local employers in the area, or by completing a pledge card available at local agencies and online.

Yes, most of us are taxpayers, but we should also want to be good and caring neighbors. So, donate.