VHP and United Way (fwd)

[marcus.banks at anthropology.oxford.ac.uk]

>I'm forwarding the following forwarded message, FYI.  LN
[...]
>Ms. Jo-Anne Johnson
>Campaign Director, AT&T United Way
>
>Dear Ms. Johnson,
>
>        I am unhappy to learn that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) --
>"World Hindu Council" -- has established a Donor Choice Agency code with
>the United Way, so that United Way donors can direct their tax-deductible
>donations to the VHP.

And for the non-North Americans amongst us, what is 'the United Way'?

Marcus Banks, Oxford