United Way gifts an investment in local youth

EDITORIAL NOTE: This is the third in a series of stories written by United Way board member Christi Search about this year's fundraising campaign on behalf of local charities and service organizations. Each installment will feature a different United Way-assisted agency.

The annual fundraising drive for the United Way of Nodaway County continues as local businesses and institutions work toward laying the groundwork for meeting this year's $105,000 goal.

All funds raised during the campaign will be spent locally in support of 15 partner charities and organizations that have been allocated a portion of the proceeds raised during the fall 2012 campaign.

This article highlights agencies whose special mission is to aid children in our region.    

The Nodaway County 4-H Council is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. United Way funds support various 4-H activities including the Nodaway County Fair livestock exhibit, Nodaway County Achievement Day and the Nodaway County 4-H Shooting Sports Safety Clinic.  

A second United Way beneficiary is Children’s Mercy Hospital, which provides affordable — and often free — medical care for seriously ill youngsters.

While not located in Nodaway County, Children’s Mercy provides services to many local families. In 2011, the hospital offered more than $7 million in services to underinsured or uninsured Nodaway County residents.  United Way funds help reimburse the hospital for this uncompensated care.

A third youth-oriented United Way recipient is the Boy Scouts of America, whose character-building, leadership program based on love of and duty to God and country has been legendary for more than a century.

United Way funds help Scouting provide adult leader training as well as assistance to sponsoring organizations.

Your contribution to United Way also helps support Girl Scouting, an organization committed to instilling young women with the courage, confidence and character needed to make the world a better place.

United Way funds give Girl Scouts the ability to help girls with financial needs pay for membership registrations, camp fees as well as items such as badges, certificates, handbooks and program materials.

Starting in September, local residents will receive information at their residences and workplaces about how to contribute to United Way of Nodaway County. All contributions are tax deductible.