Robert H. Demere, Jr. United Way Effingham Service Center

Located in one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Georgia, United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Effingham Service Center in Rincon provides an array of programs and services to residents of Effingham, West Chatham and North Bryan Counties. 

In 2008, the building received a face lift and was named the Robert H. Demere, Jr. United Way Effingham Service Center, in honor of the Demere Foundation's continued support to the works of the United Way.  Robert H. Demere, Jr. is chairman of Colonial Oil.

Today, the Service Center includes satellite offices for the following United Way affiliated organizations: Community Cardiovascular Council, Hospice, Savannah's Full Circle, Savannah Speech & Hearing Center and The Counseling Center. Other community service organizations housed at the Service Center include Effingham Orchestra and Katie McGrory Child Play Therapy.

United Way in Effingham County and its volunteers manage the following programs:

• Caring Closet provides free clothing for families in need which are distributed through the Food OutReach Co-op of Effingham (FORCE) program.
• First Time Home Buyers Program (beginning in 2012) offers home buyers free educational classes on topics such as: Understanding your Credit Score, Beware of Predatory Lenders, Shopping for the Right
  Mortgage, Home Inspections and the Closing Process.
• Food OutReach Co-op of Effingham (FORCE) is a collaboration of six local food pantries and those organizations that make referrals for people in need of food assistance.
• Hammers Hearts and Hands, together with Living Independence For Everyone (LIFE) and GAP Ministries, provides wheelchair ramps for persons with disabilities.
• Hope for Everyone Looking for Provisions (HELP), beginning in 2012 through Effingham’s Center for Working Families, is a case management program offering critical services to people that are unemployed or under employed.
• Medical Equipment Lending Library offers free use of a variety of medical supplies such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, etc.
• The Farmers’ Garden distributes fresh produce from area farmers to six local food pantries and the Treutlen House.
• Volunteers Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides trained volunteers who complete and electronically file income tax returns, free of charge.