Requests for the 2011 UWMC Community Investment Grant application/contract to be sent electronically can be made via e-mail to unitedw@hutchtel.net. Additionally, the application/contract may be downloaded from this website beginning March 15. Agencies without access to e-mail or the internet may pick up a copy of the funding application/contract during regular business hours (Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) at the UWMC office located at 218 Main Street South, Suite 124 in Hutchinson (Hope Center).

 All agency Community Investment Grant application/contracts are to be completed and either delivered or mailed back to the UWMC (218 Main Street South, Suite 124, PO Box 504, Hutchinson, MN 55350) no later than Friday, April 23. Applications received after that date will not be considered for 2011 funding. The annual UWMC Agency Hearing Night is scheduled for Thursday, May 13 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Hutchinson Middle School (1365 South Grade Road SW). Agencies considered for 2011 funding will receive an electronic invitation to the event.

 “The Community Investment Review process ensures us that the funds people have generously entrusted to us, are being used to support appropriate agencies and programs that service all residents of the region,” said Grimsley. “As an organization, we take great measure in adhering to our responsibility to properly allocate the monies that are donated each campaign.”

UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2010 the UWMC is funding 42 agencies/programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities.

Where: Zellas at 14, Main St in Hutchinson.

Social: Cash Bar (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Dinner (6:30 p.m.)

Music by Mona Hjerpe, Ronda Eckhart, John Rodeberg, Jon Lindekugel

Tickets: $50/person. Please inquire about our group discounts.

RSVP by mail or phone call by March 12, 2010. Seating is limited.

*Proceeds from this fundraiser go towards Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the general campaign.

Campaign deadline: March 31st, 2010.

Goal Reached: 75%

“Our United Way is pleased to announce that due to the generosity of individual donors, small businesses and corporations throughout McLeod County, we are able to distribute these allocation checks,” said Grimsley. “We want to thank everyone who has donated to the 2009-10 campaign thus far, because their dollars are going to fund outstanding programs and help many deserving individuals and families.” 

Due to the current economic realities, the regional non-profit has extended its current campaign to March 31, 2010. After meeting with its partner agencies last May, the UWMC established a $280,000 county-wide campaign need. Thus far in 2009-10, the campaign has received pledges of $196,000, or roughly 70% of the goal. 

UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2010 the UWMC is funding 42 agencies/programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities. 

Donations to help fund partner agencies and programs supporting area residents can be sent to the United Way of McLeod County located at 218 Main Street South, Suite 124, PO Box 504, Hutchinson, MN 55350.

Years ago a local Boy Scout troop took on the creation of a United Way thermometer as a team project. Following its completion, it resided on the south banks of the Crow River each fall. The last sighting of that thermometer was it being placed into a storage shed. There really was no explanation or reason for it, our organization just stopped using that specific tool.

At our November board meeting, a director asked why we don’t use the thermometer anymore. The person pointed out that while we have a lot of attention around our kickoff at the county fair, most folks are not aware that we are still in the midst of our campaign in December. The board member continued that while we get a good deal of publicity from the local media, not everyone will see an ad or have the time to read a commentary. The person believed that it was a good start that an individual resident gets a mailed brochure, or a small business owner will hang a poster, but time spent thinking about United Way is minimal for most. Even for the thousands who participate in a workplace campaign each year, the commitment to a United Way presentation or special event is limited.

At that meeting we agreed that the thermometer is an effective visual piece, in that if done right, people will be curious to see just how the campaign is faring. While not everyone will read today’s newspaper, there is a good chance that folks will take notice of an eight-foot thermometer in Library Square or elsewhere in the county. Whether noticing the thermometer leads people to make a campaign contribution remains to be seen, however we feel that it certainly can’t hurt.

That leads me to the more serious nature of this commentary. As of Christmas our organization had raised $168,000, or 60 percent of our 2009-10 campaign goal of $280,000. The former total marks a $32,000 decrease from where we were a year ago, en route to raising $235,000 overall during the 2008-09 campaign. We are a long way from where we need to be and time is running out. We are so grateful to the individuals, families, businesses and corporations who have given so far, they have all been as generous as they can. Now we are appealing to those who have not, but can, afford to make a contribution before our March 31 campaign deadline.

We are hopeful that another $56,000 will come in from efforts that are currently underway in workplaces throughout the county and from national corporate campaigns that are not processed locally. However, even if those projections are realized, they will boost the campaign only to 80 percent of the need, leaving a shortfall of an additional $56,000.

What that means to our region is that help may not be available at a time when help is needed the most. All funds raised by the United Way of McLeod County remain in the area to provide grants to critical human service programs delivered by our 42 partners. If the campaign falls short, the United Way will see a drastic reduction in its ability to provide these grants. Programs that have a real impact on local people’s lives will lose vital funding, and the recipient organizations, most of which already are stretched to the limit with their own fundraising efforts, urgently need those United Way dollars.

“We felt that it was in the best interest of our partner agencies to extend our campaign through the first quarter of 2010. The last thing we want to do is to have to cut grants to agencies that are helping so many in need right now,” said Grimsley. “Despite the unwavering generosity of so many individuals, families and businesses in McLeod County this fall, we were not able to reach our goal in 2009 alone.” 

“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 that was established this spring,” said UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson. “By extending our deadline it will allow us to explore opportunities, that due to increased volume with a county-wide campaign, we haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet.” 

UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2010 the UWMC is funding 42 agencies/programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities.

 Donations to help fund partner agencies and programs supporting area residents can be sent to the United Way of McLeod County located at 218 Main Street South, Suite 124, PO Box 504, Hutchinson, MN 55350.  

(This article was written by UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson for local newspapers)

6 a.m. A woman drops her son off at West Central Industries. She is relieved to know that he will learn skills that will provide independence and self sufficiency. 

7 a.m.  Campers at Friendship Ventures awake to another day of play, nature discovery and group activities designed to promote self-esteem, while teaching life-enhancing skills.  

8 a.m.  A first time parent is provided information from a Public Health Nurse regarding new baby care, infant/child growth and development, home safety, parenting and community resources. 

9 a.m.  A nine-year-old girl attends McLeod County Day Camp, learning leadership skills she will use throughout her life. 

10 a.m.  A volunteer from Courage Center picks up a woman in Winsted and drives to her medical rehabilitation appointment, so that she may lead a healthier, more independent life. 

11 a.m.  A third grade class participates in a series of sessions regarding their roles as individuals, workers and consumers while learning about economic and workforce issues though Junior Achievement.  

12 p.m.  A local family that does not have winter clothes receives warm coats, hats and gloves from Common Cup Ministry. 

1 p.m.  A family of four in Stewart moves into a stable home built by Crow River Habitat for Humanity volunteers. 

2 p.m.  An American Red Cross instructor presents to a Silver Lake class about emergency preparedness. 

3 p.m.  Children arrive at an afterschool program provided by McLeod County 4-H, rather than going home to an empty house. 

4 p.m.  A ten-year-old boy from a low-income family is able to participate in athletic activities through the Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education. 

5 p.m.  An elderly woman sits down to a hot meal provided by Lutheran Social Services-Senior Nutrition Program. 

6 p.m.  A toddler and her parents participate in a class that nurtures growth and development of their family through Early Childhood Family Education. 

7 p.m.  A local Girl Scout troop meets to rake leaves for a terminally ill patient. 

8 p.m.  A small group of parents who have lost a child meet to lend support to each other through Compassionate Friends. 

9 p.m.  A father attends a Parent Connection meeting for support and help in dealing with parenting issues. 

10 p.m.  Parents put their children to bed by reading the newest book they received as part of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. 

11 p.m.  A family does not go hungry tonight thanks to the McLeod Emergency Food Shelf. 

12 a.m.  Civil Air Patrol Cadets return from a search and rescue mission. 

1 a.m.  A young woman is checking into Shelter House to escape an abusive relationship. 

2 a.m.  The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance and temporary housing for a family who has lost their home to fire. 

3 a.m.  A young woman calls the McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence help line to find information regarding protection orders. 

4 a.m.  A family is warm in their beds thanks to assistance provided by Heartland Community Action. 

5 a.m.  A mother in need of formula for her infant daughter calls 2-1-1 for free information and referral services. She is referred to local agency that provides assistance for low income families.

(This article was written by UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson for local newspapers)

 After years of campaigning solely in Hutchinson, we are facing a steep learning curve as we branch out into towns that have their own history of community-giving in Winsted, Lester Prairie and Glencoe etc. We shouldn’t be surprised when we approach someone from another community for the first time about partnering with United Way, that we get a quizzical look in return. We became the United Way of McLeod County in March 2007. We fully expect that it’s going to take several years of informing folks about our partner agents and our own programs, before a majority of people know what we are about. 

Getting buy-in for our campaign and programs from individuals and businesses throughout the county that have until recently never been approached by United Way is an obstacle. Attracting a new generation of donors and volunteers is a hurdle that we are working to get over as well. One of the first steps we are taking is to bring a number of the local “community chests” under one umbrella. 

In the summer of 2008 the UWMC board reached out to the Glencoe Area United Fund to see if a partnership was feasible. After several meetings, the two boards came to the conclusion that they were in fact funding many of the same agencies and that it made little sense to run two separate fundraising campaigns just miles from each other. From those meetings emerged a new UWMC that campaigned in Glencoe and Hutchinson for the first time in 2009. The merger was viewed as a prime example of organizations coming together for the greater good of an area. We have spent a lot of time in Glencoe this fall talking to the small business owners and corporations to let them know we are now campaigning as one entity and hoping to get continued buy-in from them as we move forward. 

Another step we are taking this fall is forming a partnership with the Lester Prairie Community Chest. After nearly 40 years of volunteers going door-to-door in that community, they have asked us to help them with their efforts this year. Due to the shortened timeframe, we will be sending out a direct mailing piece to Lester Prairie residents in December. 

Of the 42 agencies/programs we are supporting financially in 2009, none are exclusive to Hutchinson residents and all have a McLeod County scope in clientele. In looking at the numbers our agencies have provided us over the years we see a pretty even split between those from Hutchinson who are receiving services, and clients from the other seven zip codes in McLeod County. Historically, a majority of the money to fund all of these county-wide programs has come from the companies, small businesses and residents of Hutchinson. We feel that this is an opportune time to reach out to folks in the other towns and ask them for assistance in funding these programs that help so many in every McLeod County community. 

Getting the word out about United Way is the biggest hurdle we face as an organization, as we continue to grow as a county-wide entity. It really comes down to us doing a better job of informing and educating folks as to what we are about as we re-introduce ourselves to Hutchinson and build new relationships in the region.

(This article was written by UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson for local newspapers)

First off, the launch means every child who resides in McLeod County and was born in 2009 is currently eligible to receive an age-appropriate hard back book in the mail each month. The books are a gift from donors to the United Way of McLeod County. The program is absolutely free to the newborns and parents. As you read this, we have already enrolled over 125 children, representing all eight county zip codes. 

Countless studies and common sense tells us that if you want to make sure children are ready to learn in school, one of the best guarantees is to read to them when they’re young. As host, the UWMC determined to begin enrollment of children born only in 2009 and then expand to those born in 2010, 2011 and so on. Imagination Library is designed to eventually enroll every child in McLeod County ages birth to five regardless of socio-economic status. 

Children enrolled in the program will get 12 books a year delivered to their homes for free. The first book in the Imagination Library is “The Little Engine That Could.” The program aims to select books that are age-appropriate and titles that will encourage parents to read to their kids. The cost to the United Way is roughly $29 a year per child, which equates to $2.33 a book. Newborns enrolled this fall will have a personal library of 60 books when they exit the program at age five. 

Studies done for the Dollywood Foundation regarding this program have shown that investing in early childhood education yields more productive older students, better citizens and employees. However, not enough kids get that important education in their early years. A high percentage of kindergartners are coming to school at risk for failure. 

Children who have been read to regularly in their first five years have shown a superior vocabulary to those that have not had the same exposure entering kindergarten. Educators have emphasized the fact that reading with a preschool child is the single most important activity to prepare them for school. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library was created to guarantee access to books and to inspire parents to read to their children as much as possible. 

United Way is working with schools, libraries, public health, day cares, hospitals, etc., to continue the enrollment process for children born January 1, 2009 and later. If you would like to enroll your child but have not received information, you can visit our web site at www.unitedwaymcleodcounty.org to register on-line, or simply contact UWMC at (320)-587-3613. 

The Dolly Parton Foundation underwrites the national administrative costs- so that expenses to local sponsors such as the UWMC stay minimal. While the UWMC is hosting the DPIL locally, the program is driven by donations from individuals, small businesses, service clubs and corporations. Donations for this specific initiative can be sent to the United Way of McLeod County, 218 Main Street South, Suite 124, PO Box 504, Hutchinson, MN 55350. Please denote Imagination Library on the memo line.

(This article was written by UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson for local newspapers)

Soon after merging with the Glencoe Area United Fund in the summer of 2008, our board of directors began to look into what other United Ways were doing in regards to changing the way their communities viewed them. In talking to other UW boards and staffs, we realized that we needed to tweak our business model to retain our corporate partners and attract a new generation of donors. When most people think of the United Way, their sole vision is that of the workplace campaign. That is still the core of what we do and the foundation of any success we might have. However, we feel the need to try to create long-lasting community change by addressing underlying causes of the most significant local issues.

In recent years many United Ways have expanded their focus from solely fundraising to providing a proactive component called Community Impact. This approach deals with the root causes of the most serious problems and allows them to be part of the solution. The thought is to gather individuals from across community – government, business, schools, faith, non-profits and ordinary citizens – to form “Community Impact Coalitions” to address the most critical needs identified by the community. This is a task that we are carefully and thoughtfully wading into.

 We realize that a number of fantastic organizations have been working on addressing community problems in the area for years. We are not looking to latch-on or take credit for anyone’s longtime work. We just want to make sure that we are always making a concerted effort as an organization to be at the table and willing to listen and offer our resources. The Community Impact model is not just about messaging or a new allocation process. It calls for comprehensive change in our organization’s aspirations, operations, and relationships with the community.

 We understand that it is not enough to simply run a fall campaign and distribute checks to our 42 partner agencies twice a year. While we are effecting change by allocating thousands of donor dollars to help run outstanding programs, we feel the need to be even more hands on. We are in a unique position in that we have relationships with so many non-profits and business partners. We need to take the responsibility to help children and youth achieve their potential, promote financial stability and independence and improve people’s health.

 We feel that we are continuing to take the steps needed to fulfill our duties and are excited about our most recent initiatives. For example, this summer we launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library throughout McLeod County. Additionally, we have partnered with the Greater Twin Cities United Way to bring the 2-1-1 community help line to the area. We also have begun to do more events with our partner agencies, including working with Aveyron Homes for our first Day of Caring this fall.

(This article was written by UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson for local newspapers)