As you peruse today’s newspaper, the United Way of McLeod County is chugging through its 2009-10 Campaign. This year has proven to be an exciting time for us, as we continue to work with outstanding partner agencies. Additionally, we were thrilled to launch our 2-1-1 community help line and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library initiatives. It has been a positive learning experience for us, as we campaign throughout all of the zip codes in the county this autumn.

We are overwhelmed by the tremendous generosity of individuals, small businesses and corporations throughout the area that have already given or pledged this fall and have pushed us nearer our established campaign need of $280,000. In this time of budget constraints, we are amazed at the capacity of people to give of themselves. Read the rest of this entry »

United Way of McLeod County Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that the regional non-profit has partnered with GiveMN.org to promote on-line philanthropy in the area. GiveMN allows contributors access to every charitable non-profit in Minnesota, while giving those organizations equal access to on-line contributors. 

Minnesotans lead the nation in charitable giving – individuals in this state gave more than $4 billion to charity last year. The United Way of McLeod County, together with GiveMN.org – a first-of-its-kind giving web site for nonprofits in Minnesota – is working to change the way Minnesotans experience giving and help create a stronger nonprofit community in the state.  Read the rest of this entry »

The news lately has been of financial crisis and employment and construction downturns, while living costs continue to rise. Demands on public agencies, food shelves, clothes banks and utility funds are much higher than last year – and from people who have never requested assistance before. State funding to public and private agencies has been cut, at the same time that requests for assistance are increasing. United Way helps fill that gap.  Read the rest of this entry »

United Way of McLeod County Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that the regional non-profit will have an informational exhibit booth at the McLeod County Fair which takes place August 19-23 in Hutchinson. The five-day run of the fair will serve as the kick-off period to the UWMC’s 2009-10 Campaign.

“We are excited to be a small part of the McLeod County Fair again this year and to use that time to kick-off our 48^th annual campaign,” said Grimsley. “With our focus on serving individuals, families and communities in McLeod County, we believe that the fair is a great opportunity to inform people of our mission. We welcome folks to stop by our booth and hear about the agencies and programs we are partnering with, in addition to some of our new initiatives like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”

Grimsley announced that the organization would conduct its 2009-10 Campaign in a similar manner to the last two years. The residential, small business, public employees and major firm campaigns will be staggered in two-week increments beginning the week of August 17. McLeod County residents will begin seeing UWMC campaign materials beginning with the August 23, Hutchinson Leader Shopper. Donations to the 2009-10 Campaign can be made through March 31.