United Way of McLeod County outgoing Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that Russ Trettin has been elected to replace her in that capacity. Additionally, Dave Schwedler was elected Vice-President, Todd Brandel Treasurer and Jes Grandgenett Secretary at a recent Board of Director’s meeting. All four newly-elected officials will begin serving their terms effective July 1.

“As an organization we are pleased that a quality person and professional like Russ is going to lead us going forward,” said Grimsley. “He has served as vice-president for the last two years and has a great understanding of the agencies we work with and the communities and people they serve throughout McLeod County.”

“I am honored to be elected to this position by my peers and I look forward to leading this organization,” said Trettin. “I hope that I will be able to advance all the good work that was done by folks before me. We have an opportunity to further grow this United Way into an asset that will truly impact communities in the area.”

Trettin, a longtime 3M employee, currently serves as a Product Manager in the Electrical Markets Division. He has volunteered on the United Way’s Board of Directors for the last three years. A Stewart native, Trettin graduated from St. Cloud State University with a business degree. (more…)

How you can help -
Simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans. Local letter carriers will then collect donations from homes across the county and deliver them to the McLeod County Emergency Food Shelf.

Why we need your help -
One in eight Americans is struggling with hunger today. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 50 million Americans live in food insecure households, and approximately one in every three of these Americans is a child.

United Way of McLeod County Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that the organization received pledges for $257,015 during its 2010-11 campaign. That number surpasses the $250,000 campaign need established last spring following the Community Investment Review process. The local United Way kicked-off its fundraising efforts during the McLeod County Fair in mid-August and officially closed the books on its most recent efforts March 31.

Of the $257,015 pledged, a percentage has been designated through donor contributions to UWMC partner agencies, other non-profits, and the organization’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Of the monies pledged during the most recent effort, 65% derives from employee campaigns to be paid to United Way over the course of 2011.

“Thanks and gratitude from our board of directors and staff goes out to the individuals, families, small businesses and corporations that gave of themselves in these challenging economic times,” said Grimsley. “This year’s campaign proves once again the tremendous generosity of people in this region.”

The $257,015 pledged amount marks the highest total raised in a single campaign since the organization began its work in the area in 1962. In 2009, UWMC partner agencies provided 33,000 units of service to individuals in McLeod County. In the last decade, the UWMC has dedicated nearly $1,750,000 in community investment to nearly 100 agencies providing services and programs in the area.

United Way of McLeod County Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that the organization delivered $44,850 in checks during January, to 36 partnering agencies/programs. Those checks represent the first quarter allocations for 2011 United Way funding. The next round of community investment checks from UWMC will be disbursed in June of this year.

“We are pleased to announce that due to the generosity of individual donors, small businesses and corporations throughout McLeod County, we are able to distribute these community investment grants,” said Grimsley. “We wish to thank everyone who has donated to the 2010-11 campaign thus far, because their dollars are going to fund outstanding programs and make a real community impact.”

Due to the current economic realities, the regional non-profit has extended its current campaign to March 31, 2011. After meeting with its partner agencies last May, the UWMC established a $250,000 county-wide campaign need. Thus far in 2010-10, the campaign has received pledges of $205,000, or roughly 82% of the goal. (more…)

United Way of McLeod County Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that due to the current economic realities, the regional non-profit will continue its’ 2010-11 campaign until March 31. After meeting with its partner agencies last spring, the UWMC established a $250,000 county-wide need this campaign. Thus far in 2010-11, the campaign has received pledges of $200,000, or 80% of the need. In the past, United Way campaigns had ended with each calendar year.

“Despite the tremendous generosity of so many individuals, families and businesses in the region this fall, we were not able to reach our goal in 2010 alone,” said Grimsley. “We feel it is in the best interest of our partner agencies to actively campaign through the first quarter of 2011. We do not want to have to cut community grants to agencies that are helping so many in need at this time.”

“By continuing to actively campaign in 2011, it will allow us to explore opportunities, that due to increased volume with a county-wide campaign, we haven’t had the chance to visit yet,” said UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson. “We owe it to our partner agencies and all the people who benefit from their programs and services to press on toward meeting our county-wide need.” (more…)