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It is unique among area United Way's and has become a model that other United
Way's across the country have modeled for their own communities.
Bridging the gap from “crime time to prime time.”
Did you know that the hours from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. are the times when adolescents are most likely to get into trouble?
It’s the time between the end of the school day and when Mom or Dad get home from work. It’s the time when many
kids are left unsupervised. And it’s the time when the most teenage sex, violence, drug abuse, and vandalism occur.
United Way Board Member Mike Heifner was instrumental in starting the Youth Arts & Recreation program in our
United Way. He says keeping children involved in positive, structured activities is key in guiding them down the
right path. |
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United Way Board Member Mike Heifner.
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“If kids aren’t participating in these activities, they’re sitting at
home watching TV or out causing trouble,” Heifner said. “There are kids that have free time and free time usually
means trouble. So if we can keep them busy doing things, that’s going to lead them to a more productive life.”
Impacting Families
The United Way has awarded nearly $60,000 to area organizations through
the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund since its inception, helping hundreds of area children to participate
in activities their families might otherwise be unable to afford. The impact on income-eligible families is felt
beyond the children getting to play. Wrote an area mother of five:
Dear United Way,
I just wanted to let you all know how much my family appreciates our pool pass. Without your help, my five children
would not be going swimming almost at all. It's hard with only one person working in my family. It makes me feel
good inside to know that people still do care about one another. My children enjoy going to the pool and so do
I. It sure helps them to stay out of trouble. It gets so hot in our apartment and I can't afford to run the air,
so it surely does help being able to go swimming. Please let everyone know how thankful we are for your help. Once
again, thank you with all our hearts. |
The establishment of the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund is a great
example of the way United Way met a real need in Union County and makes anoticeable impact in the community beyond
the annual fundraising campaign.
| Students participating in art lessons at Marysville Public Library
courtesy of the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund showed their thanks and creativity by sending us this picture. |
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Our Helping Hands
United Way has traditionally sought creative avenues for funding
the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund. Loose coin collection projects in area elementary schools, three-point
contests at area basketball games— even selling food at community events like Honda Homecoming. Several high school
service clubs have backed the project with a spirit of kids helping kids. Individuals may designate their annual
United Way pledge to the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund as well.
This April, we’ll be conducting our first annual Putt FORE Kids!, a Mini-Golf Challenge at SportsOhio. Click here to get
your team registered or for more information. |
Eligible Programs
The United Way has awarded nearly $64,000 in Youth Arts & Recreation
Grant Funds since its inception in 2001. Local organizations that apply for aid and are considered by the Youth
Arts & Recreation Committee, which meets monthly to review grant requests. Qualifying organizations are then
reimbursed for allowing local children to participate in their programs.
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Programs receiving past funding include:
- City of Marysville Pool
- Columbus Parks & Recreation Day Camp
- Consolidated Care Martial Arts Class
- CSS Grow Program
- Edgewood Elementary PTO
- Elite FC Soccer
- Fairbanks Elementary PTO
- Foster Friends
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| A recent grant to Ohio Sled Hockey allowed a boy to take
the ice. |
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| Future Buckeyes? Maybe. But these guys got to strap on their helmets
for the Union County Junior Football League thanks to the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund. |
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- Friends of the Marysville Public Library
- Marysville Art League
- Marysville High School Band Boosters
- Marysville High School Ski Club
- Marysville Junior Baseball/Softball
- Marysville Victory Center
- Ohio Sled Hockey
- Plain City Public Library
- Raymond Junior Baseball
- Richwood Area Business Association
- School Fee Grant
- Union County Junior Football League
- Union County Summer Youth Program
- Village of Plain City Pool
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Applications are available by clicking here or by calling United Way at (937) 644-8381.
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