United Way of McLeod County Board President Kathy Silvernale announced today that the organization distributed $77,000 in checks to 42 partner agency/programs during the month of June. The monies represent second-half community investment grant allocations for 2009 United Way funding. An initial round of checks was delivered to agencies in January. The UWMC distributed $153,000 to partner agencies in 2009.

“On behalf of our partner agencies, the United Way of McLeod County wishes to thank all those who contributed to the 2008-09 campaign,” said Silvernale. “Those dollars are being used to fund worthy programs that are making a difference in so many lives in our area at this time. We are continually amazed by the generosity of the individual donors, small businesses and corporations throughout McLeod County that enable us to make these community investment grants.”

United Way of McLeod County Board President Kathy Silvernale announced today that the regional non-profit will partner with 42 agencies/programs in 2010.

The organization recently completed its Community Investment Review for 2010 funding cycle, with a total of $237,952 in requests. The UWMC has a campaign goal this fall to raise $280,000 to impact communities county-wide by empowering partner agencies.

“After completing our annual application and interview process in May, we feel confident that the UWMC will again partner with outstanding agencies in 2010,” said Silvernale. “These agencies represent a cross-section of funded programs servicing McLeod County in emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development.”

“On behalf of the UWMC board of directors and staff I want to thank the 35 community volunteers and the 60 people representing agencies that participated in the Community Investment Review,” said President-Elect Jennifer Grimsley. “Annually we see the dedication and professionalism of the agency staff members that present their programs and the sense of community shown by the county-wide volunteers during the interview process.”

Following are the 42 agencies/programs to be funded by the UWMC in 2010

2010 United Way of McLeod County Partnering Agencies

 Emergency and Basic Needs:

The Salvation Army-Northern Division, Heartland Community Action - Housing Program, McLeod County Chapter Red Cross, McLeod Emergency Food Shelf, Common Cup.

Health and Human Services:

McLeod Public Health Nursing - Car Seats & Universal Contact Programs, McLeod Treatment Programs - Group Homes & Visitation Exchange, McLeod County Discretionary Fund, Mental Health of Minnesota (McLeod Service Area), McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Shelter House.

Child Development:

Junior Achievement, Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education, McLeod Family Connection - Activities, Police/Sherriff & Homework Help Programs, Crow River Arts, Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin River Valleys, Northern Star Council - Boy Scouts of America, Hutchinson School District - Early Childhood Family Education, Glencoe-Silver Lake School District - Wee Read II, Day Care Provider Education & Literacy Kits Programs, McLeod County Day Camp, McLeod County 4-H Federation & Youth Development Programs, Civil Air Patrol - Cadet Program, Friendship Ventures.

Community Development:

Aveyron Homes, Crow River Habitat for Humanity, Adult Training and Habilitation Center, Courage Center, West Central Industries, Compassionate Friends, Arc Central Minnesota (McLeod Service Area), Parent Connection, Hutchinson Area Health Care (Inpatient Mental Health), Lutheran Social Services - Respite & Senior Nutrition Programs, MEADA of McLeod County

• The United Way of McLeod County is looking for a diverse group of people, who as members of the Board of Directors, would make policy in the areas of strategic planning, finance, fundraising, campaign, special events, staffing, and technology. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. in locations throughout McLeod County.
• The UWMC is looking for creative and organized people with a variety of life experiences to serve on sub-committees. You do not need to be on the Board of Directors to help out on UWMC committees such as Campaign, Community Impact/Special Events, or Marketing/Communications. Committee meetings are held quarterly or seasonally as needed.
• If you have only one night a year to volunteer, the Community Investment Review may be right up your ally. Each year the UWMC invites 40-50 local 501c3 non-profits to present their programs before review teams consisting of Board of Directors and community volunteers. These teams decide which will be UWMC partner agencies and how much in Community Investment Allocations each will receive.
• During the annual Fall Campaign the UWMC is looking for volunteers to help assemble campaign packets, distribute posters county-wide, answer questions at the UWMC booth at the County Fair and Community Service Day.
• For volunteers looking for even more action, the UWMC needs help during its campaign Small Business Blitz and Corporate Campaign. We are looking for people who are comfortable going into local businesses to talk about United Way and its partner agencies and to drop-off campaign materials. Additionally, we are looking for folks with strong speaking skills to make presentations during campaign kick-offs at local corporations (Target, Lester Building, Seneca Foods etc.).
• For volunteers looking to stay behind the scenes, we have a wide variety of office projects to work on. For those with good phone skills, we have hundreds of “Thank You” and “Donor” calls to make each year.
• Day of Caring/Special Events - Volunteers help local nonprofit organizations with various projects. Examples are painting, cleaning, window washing, and several opportunities assisting with organization activities.
• The UWMC is looking for volunteers to help out with fundraisers at local restaurants (Culvers, Godfather’s, Burger King, Country Kitchen, etc.).
• If you are interested in volunteering please contact the UWMC by phone at 320-587-8018 or via e-mail at unitedw@hutchtel.net. Additionally, you can register to be a volunteer on-line at www.unitedwaymcleodcounty.org.