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Issued Quarterly by United Way of Union County,
Inc., 232 N. Main St., Suite I, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio 43040-0145 |
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In this issue: |
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Keeping our kids in the game and out of
trouble It’s all part of a unique program developed by United Way of Union County to open doors to these activities for children who would otherwise be left out for financial reasons. The Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund enhances the quality of their lives and keeps them involved in positive, structured activities. It works because United Way essentially pays the participation fees for income-eligible families by awarding grants to qualifying programs. “If kids aren’t participating in these activities, they’re sitting at home watching TV or causing trouble,” said Mike Heifner, a United Way Board Member instrumental in starting the Grant Fund in 2001. “These 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.” In all, more than $55,000 has been awarded to qualifying organizations. The most recent is Youth Arts Union County, a pilot project of the Marysville Public Library. Here, students of all ages who have been in trouble or at risk are provided with a positive, after-school alternative. Professional artists and educators Rodolfo Perez and Patsy Charters are facilitating a process where children and teens are discovering the disciplines of art, engaging in self-expression, and self-appreciation. “We hope to be able to reach kids who are struggling with their issues,” said Sue Banks, Director of the Marysville Public Library. “To give them the tools, a safe place in the library with the artists, a quiet place where they are encouraged to look inside and reflect. To make them feel more powerful in their own life and less susceptible to the outside pressures that they’re dealing with.” |
Football season is here. And thanks to United Way’s Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund, four players can strap on the helmets and take the field in the Union County Junior Football Program. A pair of cheerleaders are also participating courtesy of a United Way grant.
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| United Way teams up with Curves for “Winter
Warm-Up” The weather outside will soon be frightful. And area children will soon be out in the cold playing in the snow, waiting for school buses, or walking to school. We want to make sure no one gets frostbitten because they weren’t prepared for the elements. So United Way is teaming up with Curves in Marysville and Plain City for the Winter Warm-Up, a collection of new hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, earmuffs, and boots for area children without these winter necessities. On Saturday December 4, volunteers from Curves and United Way will be collecting these items from 9:00 to 3:00 outside the Marysville Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Big Lots. Donated items can also be dropped off at both Union County Curves locations (121 Damascus Rd. in Marysville and 900 Village Blvd. in Plain City) or at the United Way office (232 N. Main St., Suite I in Marysville) during regular business hours. All collected items will stay in Union County and will be distributed to social service providers for distribution to those in need. These will include the Special Needs Council, Marysville Victory Center, Union County Personal Needs Pantry, Wings Enrichment Center, the Marysville Clothes Closet, and the Plain City Food Pantry. |
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| Real people, real stories: United Way
helps in our community Imagine dining out with your wife when you get a call on your cell phone telling you that you’d better come home because your house is on fire. That’s exactly what happened to Richwood’s Jim Elkins in early October. When they got back, they found that a kerosene heater started a fire in the living room. “It was a total loss,” Elkins lamented as he returned to what remained of the place he called home for 24 years. That’s when the American Red Cross Union County Chapter stepped in to help. They provided Elkins with a voucher for new clothing, a stay in a local motel, and connected him with other United Way agencies such as the Personal Needs Pantry to help him get back on his feet. “I’d heard about Red Cross helping out people before with floods and fires and things, but I never thought it would happen to me,” Elkins said. “If it happens to anybody else out there, call the Red Cross. Call the United Way. That’s what they’re there for.” Ironically, Elkins says he never supported United Way because he never thought he would need any services. “I swore I’d never give to any of these places,” Elkins said. “But I really appreciate the help of the United Way, the Red Cross, and all these other organizations. Every chance I get now, I’ll help them out, whenever I can with what I can.” Last year, the Red Cross assisted about 30 Union County families who experienced a fire at their homes. Ameena LaWarre just graduated from Marysville High School last spring. For 10 years during her youth, she was a “little” in Big Brothers Big Sisters while her mother was ill. “I just needed a friend and that’s what they gave me,” said LaWarre, who thought the best part was just hanging out with her “bigs.” And Ameena says she’d consider being a Big Sister herself someday soon. “I couldn’t until I get a car. But I would love to do that! I would go places with them. I would go to movies. I would do what they did for me and that would be wonderful.” In its first eight months of existence, The Salvation Army’s new Homeless Prevention Program in Union County served 143 households totaling 412 people. 210 of those are children. In more than half of those households, there is employment income. That means Salvation Army is helping to keep the working poor in our community in their homes and out of a homeless situation. The Salvation Army became the United Way’s 24th Member Agency in April and received $10,000 in emergency funding in May. When people turn to The Salvation Army for assistance with rent and utilities, they provide more than just a hand-out. A case-manager works with clients to connect them with other resources, such as employment services or child care assistance, and serves as an advocate with a landlord to help them maintain housing. |
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send your comments to: |
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| “Your generosity made a lot of kids smile the first day of school,” wrote Mary Ann Conley, a Guidance Counselor
for Marysville Schools. “In times of limited resources, contributions such as yours make an incredible difference in what’s available to our students,” wrote Tim Kannally, Principal of Creekview Intermediate School. At right: Tim Kannally, Principal of Creekview Intermediate School, accepts a donation of school supplies from Stephanie Hall, Manager of AmeriHost Inn, and Shari Marsh, Executive Director of United Way. |
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Agency Spotlight: Personal Needs Pantry What it does: Meets basic needs of residents that are not met by food stamps. This includes toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, facial tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, dish detergent, laundry soap, diapers, baby wipes, trash bags, band-aids, light bulbs, cotton balls, q-tips, hair brushes, combs, and cleaning supplies. Clients may visit once a month upon referral from a local service provider, school, church, or doctor. Other Fast Facts:
“Most of our clients are working poor, but they just can’t make it,” said Barb Snodgres, Task Force Member, on the increased number of clients using the Pantry. It is serving 100 more clients a month than it did a year ago at this time. |
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Community Care Day brings neighbors together,
improves lives
And when 17 projects were left undone, some would come back for more. The Union County Council on Aging took the remainder of the projects and rounded up more volunteers to take care of everyone who requested help. United Way’s 8th annual Community Care Day, presented by Honda and Scotts, was our biggest yet! |
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“Fun-raising” in the workplace: volunteers
make it happen So United Way’s volunteers and campaign coordinators have come up with some creative ways to raise money. From an Ohio State Buckeyes tailgate party at Pottsie’s BBQ to a pumpkin carving contest at Memorial Hospital, United Way contributors have been taking fundraising to new levels. “It has to be fun so that everyone wants to participate,” said Bonnie Spurling, who helped coordinate a record-setting campaign at Memorial Hospital by using a “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” theme. The committee built off United Way’s theme of “Bringing neighbors together, improving lives.” A puppet show and a “make-believe” United Way neighborhood increased awareness that helped the hospital raise more than $22,000. Campaign Committee volunteers have been dedicated in their task of making sure as many people as possible are asked to give. The committee has spent several days this fall going door-to-door at area businesses, setting up meetings and establishing new partnerships for United Way. “I think this committee is the grass roots level, so to speak,” said Paul Jaeb of Union Rural Electric. “We get on the phones and hit the streets and talk to people. The personal touch cannot be lost, especially these days when there are many organizations asking people to donate.” The importance of the campaign in accomplishing United Way’s overall mission of improving lives is quite obvious. “No campaign, no money!” said Ken Yunker of Nestle R&D, Inc. “People inherently are good, but tend not to take the first step to donating or volunteering, but given the appropriate nudge, there is always a great response.” Who’s investing? Support these area businesses and organizations that support United Way Pledges & in-kind donations as of Oct. 14 |
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