Marion County United Way serves a variety of needs
For two years, the United Way in Marion County has diligently worked to help others through the volunteer efforts of a few dedicated, community-minded individuals. County commissioners Bob Hein and Howard Collett got the ball rolling by recognizing Marion County's need for the United Way and cultivating volunteers.
When asked to help, Carl Long jumped on board. "I've lived in Marion County for 17 years," he said. "We need a united effort to support needs in this county. I think United Way is the best way to do that."
Loren Friesen and Robert Carlton stepped in and helped the fledgling organization by mentoring volunteers and making vital connections with the Harvey County United Way. In order to keep costs down, the new group formed an affiliation with Harvey County United Way, but all contributions for Marion County provide support to community services enjoyed by people in Marion County.
"United Way is the collective power of people working toward long-term solutions, not short term fixes," states the United Way brochure. "Our goal is to provide funds to support the mission of local programs that reach out to our neighbors in need."
Oftentimes that need isn't recognized or fully understood by the casual observer. Members of the United Way in Marion County's Allocation Committee realize that firsthand. They leave meetings where needs are shared shaking their heads and saying, "We had no idea there were so many needs in Marion County."
In its first year of operation, 10 organizations asked for $90,000 in assistance. This year eight groups sought $58,000 in requests. With only $10,000 at their disposal, the allocation committee distributed their funds between those groups.
Benefiting from United Way's efforts are a varied and large cross-section of Marion County organizations: Communities in Schools, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Main Street Ministries, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Health Ministries, American Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy.
Past advisory council member Cynthia Fleming has high hopes for the United Way in Marion County, "I see that the potential is so great and I look for this to grow so we can fund more organizations."
The group is working on growth in three areas. First, they are applying for a grant through the Self-Help Network of Kansas. If they receive the aid, that money will be used to fund a part-time director position for the program.
With the current volunteers busy with careers and trying to meet family obligations, they are finding it increasingly difficult to campaign, promote, and educate community members about the benefits of United Way in Marion County. A director will help in that respect.
Second, the group desires to grow through the cultivation of more volunteers from all over the county. As Fleming relates, "We want their voice heard." And the best way to do that is to get people involved.
Opportunities are available to serve on the advisory council, the campaign committee, or the allocations committee. Anyone is welcome and is encouraged to contact Carl Long, Gordon Mohn, or Jessie Nikkel for more information.
A third area for growth is in funding. Individual contributions can be made to United Way in Marion County, PO Box 162, Hillsboro KS 67063. People also can enjoy participating in fund-raisers and donate proceeds to the group.
But United Way focuses mainly on asking businesses to make payroll deductions available to their employees. Carl Long noted that if every employed person in Marion County donated just $2 to the United Way each month through payroll deductions, the organization would raise $120,000 to $130,000 a year to help local groups.
Who in Marion County is not affected by Communities in Schools, Scouts, Big Brothers and Sisters, Main Street Ministries, Health Ministries, the American Red Cross, or United Cerebral Palsy? How do our communities fare when these groups suffer financially? Can the citizens of Marion County work together to help their own?
United, there is a Way. A little bit, when multiplied by thousands, has the power to positively impact forever the lives of the hurting. When individuals receive the support they need, they flourish and so do their communitie
