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.

Of the $255,500 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, 71% derives from employee campaigns to be paid to United Way over the course of 2012.

“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 Trettin. “This year’s campaign proves once again the tremendous generosity of people in this region.”

The $255,500 pledged amount marks the second highest total raised in a single campaign since the organization began its work in the area in 1962. In 2010, UWMC partner agencies provided 33,000 units of service to individuals in McLeod County. In the last five years, UWMC campaigns have provided nearly $850,000 in community investment to 50-plus agencies providing services and programs in the area.

“While we fell a few thousand dollars shy of the community need in 2011-12, we still met our strategic two-year goal of $510,000 ($257,015 in 2010-11),” said UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson. “That is great news, knowing that we will be able to continue to fund our partner agencies/programs at the level we had planned.”

“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 Trettin. “We wish to thank everyone who has donated to the 2011-12 campaign thus far, because their dollars are going to fund outstanding programs and make a real community impact.”

Due to the economic realities, the regional non-profit extended its current campaign to March 31, 2012. After meeting with its partner agencies last year, the UWMC established a $260,000 county-wide campaign need. Thus far in 2011-12, the campaign has received pledges of $247,000, or roughly 95% of the goal.

CLICK HERE for Ticket

March 28th, from 5-9 p.m
1040 Hwy 15 South
Hutchinson, MN

“We have seen the tremendous generosity of so many individuals, families and businesses in the region this fall, but despite that, we were not able to reach our goal in 2011 alone,” said Trettin. “We now feel it is in the best interest of our partner agencies to actively campaign through the first quarter of 2012. 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 2012, 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.”

“Upon completing the work of our annual volunteer-led Community Investment Review, we are confident that the UWMC will again partner with outstanding agencies in 2012,” said Trettin. “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 agency representatives that participated in the Community Investment Review in October,” said Executive Director Paul Thompson. “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 40 agencies/programs to be funded by the UWMC in 2012.

Emergency and Basic Needs:

The Salvation Army-Northern Division

Heartland Community Action – Emergency Housing program

McLeod Emergency Food Shelf

Common Cup – Community Meals project

Common Cup – Backpack Feeding project

Health and Human Services:

McLeod Public Health Nursing – Car Seats program

McLeod Public Health Nursing – Universal Contact program

McLeod Treatment Programs – Group Homes

McLeod Treatment Programs – Visitation Exchange

Mental Health of Minnesota – Mental Health Advocacy program

McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence – Community Advocacy

Safe Avenues – Outreach Sexual Assault program

Safe Avenues – Emergency Safe Shelter

 Child Development:

Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education – Youth Services

Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education – Adaptive Recreation

Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education – Senior Programming

Crow River Arts – Yearly programs

Hutchinson School District – ECFE – Baby Steps program

Hutchinson School District – ECFE – Childcare Connection program

Crow River Area Youth Orchestra – Concert program

Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin River Valleys – Leadership Experience

Northern Star Council – Boy Scouts of America – Prepared for Life

Glencoe-Silver Lake School District – Early Childhood Family Education

McLeod County 4-H – Youth Activities program

Civil Air Patrol – Cadet Program

Friendship Ventures – Residential and Creative Options program

United Way of McLeod County – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Community Development:

Crow River Habitat for Humanity

Adult Training and Habilitation Center

Courage Center – Rehabilitation Continuum

West Central Industries – Employment Services program

Compassionate Friends

The Arc United – Family Support and Advocacy program

The Arc United – Sibshop program

Parent Connection – Parenting Classes

Parent Connection – Summer Fun program

Parent Connection – In-home Skills Counseling program

Lutheran Social Services – Caregiver/Respite program

Lutheran Social Services – Senior Nutrition program

MEADA of McLeod County – Raising Teens Together project

“We are so grateful to our donors that we have been able to distribute $142,550 in community investment grants this year,” said Trettin. “Those dollars are being used to fund worthy programs that are making a difference in so many lives in our area at this time.”

The UWMC is currently in the midst of its 50^th annual campaign. UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2011 the UWMC is funding 36 agencies/programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities.

Click Here for Ticket

Wednesday, October 5th, from 5-9 p.m
1040 Hwy 15 South
Hutchinson, MN

“We want to thank the generous individuals and businesses that made this initiative a success,” said Sanken. “We hope that these items come in handy for the nearly 150 National Guard troops from our region.”

“After gathering the collection boxes from the 19 sites around McLeod County, it was amazing to see it all assembled in our office,” said Executive Director Paul Thompson. “It took our volunteers three days to sort through all of the items and get them prepared for mailing. In the end, we sent 51 flat rate boxes and an additional five 30-plus pound crates. Thanks to everyone who donated items, or money to off-set the shipping costs.”

Military Care Package - United Way board members Ron Johnson (left), Jes Grandgenett (right) and Bonnie Fimon (background) sort through some of the 2,900 donated items.