Things are looking promising for the United Way of the Flint Hills as they continue to draw closer towards their 2018 fundraising campaign goal.
United Way of the Flint Hills Director Jami Reever joined KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Monday morning and announced the annual campaign is now sitting at $283,000. The current total puts the campaign at 51 percent of the way towards this year’s goal of $555,000.
Reever says the community’s generosity never ceases to amaze her each year. She believes a factor which attributes to that generosity is that the United Way never asks for donors to give more than what they can.
The giving from local businesses and residents no matter the amount always has a large impact as funds from the campaign goes to benefit 24 different area organizations and roughly 13,000 individuals.
A few of those organizations also joined Monday’s broadcast and shared the stories and mission’s of their groups.
This included Kacee Schuler (Shoe-Ler) with the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation. She explains the organization seeks to assist individuals with special needs through a variety of programs including a wheelchair and posture seating clinic.
Schuler adds they would not be able to provide these services without the support of the United Way as it is a very costly undertaking.
Another agency which benefits from the United Way’s Campaign is the LEAP! program also known as Lifestyle Empowerment for Alzheimer’s Prevention. Erin Blocker representing the Leap! program, says as there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, prolonging the mental health of Alzheimer’s patients is a necessity, which is where their programs and services come into play.
Josie Williams with Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Lyon County also joined the program Monday morning.
Earlier this year the program, then known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Flint Hills merged with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. Originally the organization served multiple area counties, however, after the merger, those services have been focused solely on Lyon County as the organization looks to rebuild and re-establish itself before re-branching out into other counties.
Williams says funds from the United Way Campaign will go a long way in eventually achieving that goal.
Another benefit of the United Way’s efforts includes the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The library was implemented locally by the United Way with support from several local foundations.
Reever had some exciting news pertaining to the specific program as well Monday morning. Just recently the Trusler Foundation announced they would be recommitting to the program for the next five years with a $30,000 grant.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.
Reever also says the United Way is currently looking for volunteers to help aid with campaign efforts. If you would like more information on donating or volunteering for the United Way Campaign visit their website at www.Unitedwayoftheflinthills.org.
