United Way chapter officially opens in county
By CHAD FREY
Newton Kansan
For several years community leaders from Marion County have been making an attempt to start a chapter of United Way. But they could never get things off the ground.
Now, thanks to an agreement with the Harvey County Chapter announced Monday at the Harvey County United Way annual meeting, the United Way will have a presence in Marion County. "I'm excited," said Gordon Mohn, superintendent of Hillsboro schools. "This will really benefit kids and what benefits kids benefits schools."
Harvey and Marion Counties have joined forces to form the United Way of Marion County, an affiliate of the United Way of Harvey County.
Mohn and fellow board appointee Jessie Nikkel were in attendance at the annual meeting where the outgoing campaign chairman Allen Cooper announced the 2002 campaign finished at 86 percent of goal, more than $40,000 short of the $300,000 goal.
It was a tough year for fund-raising. Very few United Way chapters in Kansas were able to meet their fundraising goals.
"I think that there was only one United Way in the area that hit 100 percent of their goal," Cooper said.
But there was still reason to be excited at the Monday meeting. Board member Loren Friesen was able to give some detail of the agreement that will bring Marion County into the fold.
Marion County donations will support the Marion County effort. Money will not be funneled from Harvey County to Marion County.
"They will operate under the Harvey County umbrella," Friesen said. "The bottom line is that Marion County is to pay its own way. The agreement basically says that we see this going for three years to get them started."
Harvey County will provide "coaching" for Marion County. If Marion ever wants to become a stand-alone organization, they will be able to do so. Marion County will have its own advisory board and two members on the Harvey County United Way board. "This is the fourth year that they have had it in their mind," Nikkel said. "But for some reason or another it has always died out."
Nikkel will be one of two members on the Harvey County board and will head the Marion County advisory board.
While the agreement took paperwork, the real work has just begun. "A real challenge will be educating Marion County on the benefits of United Way coming to town," Nikkel said. "And to get support and donations."
