Looking back over the past year UWCK is grateful for each and every member of our community who donated, participated in, or volunteered to be a part of our United Way Campaign. The success of each program that UWCK sponsors, is because of donations and sponsorships from individuals and businesses and the time that our amazing volunteers donate.
January and February were full of hearts and love with our Box of Love Program (which is currently underway for 2019). Working with our Community Partners; ElderCare Home Services, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, and Meals on Wheels, Valentine’s Day boxes were delivered with love to more than 200 homebound seniors in Barton & Pawnee Counties.
March, April, and May were all about Literacy. We started it off with Board Members reading to Daycare and Preschool students to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day. We also delivered Literacy Kits to over 300 Pre-K students at Kindergarten round-ups across our area.
In June and July, we were busy wrapping up the prior Campaign and getting everything ready for our new Campaign. We also recognized our Pacesetter Companies with an Awards Luncheon to thank them for all they do to support UWCK throughout the year. These Pacesetter Companies account for 49% of our annual donations raised and those companies in 2018 were Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, American State Bank, Benefit Management, LLC, CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, Dillons, Farmers Bank & Trust, Great Bend COOP, University of Kansas Health Systems/Great Bend Campus, Marmies Auto Group, Midwest Energy, ONEOK Gas, Sunflower Electric, Superior Essex, USD 428, and Venture Corporation.
In August, we kicked off our 2019 Campaign! We hosted our annual Kickoff Event, then Chamber Coffees in Hoisington, Great Bend, and Larned. In Partnership with USD 355 in Ellinwood, we hosted our first Tailgate at the first EHS home football game and we provided donuts and water at the Hoisington Touch-A-Truck event during Labor Day festivities.
Through the end of the year, we were out in the community, at businesses and events, talking with community members, telling our story and listening to feedback about the needs you are seeing in our area. We look forward to continuing that work into 2019 and hope that you will continue to reach out to us. We are here to serve the needs of the community, with 99% of all monies donated staying right here in the communities we serve.
Thank you again to our neighbors and friends who donated money or time to support United Way. We wish you all a great 2019 and look forward to continuing to work together to create a stronger community as we Live United.