Need never greater for United Way

When tragedy strikes, the people of McCook step forward to help. It has happened many times. A fire destroys a family's belongings ... a child is afflicted with cancer ... parents of young children are called away to war.

As soon as fellow citizens know of the plight and a community campaign is organized, fellow citizens respond with an outpouring of monetary gifts and other forms of assistance.

It is that sense of caring and sharing which is at the heart of the community's annual United Way drive.

"The giving we do through the United Way helps prevent a lot of little tragedies ... the kind of things which go on behind closed doors and we would not know about otherwise," said Dennis Berry, the drive chairman for McCook's 2003 United Way drive.

The need has never been greater. Not only is the need for services growing, but -- at the same time -- state and federal grant funding is being slashed.

As a result, the goal for this year's United Way campaign is the highest it has ever been: $85,000.

That's $5,000 more than last year's goal of $80,000, but the United Way board is hopeful of success because the people of McCook succeeded last year, surpassing the goal by $2,000, raising a historic high of $82,000.

Symbolically, this year's drive opened during Heritage Days, with a record number of walkers and runners taking part in the 5k and Fun Run and Walk. The participants' race for the finish line is much like the community's pursuit of the United Way goal, with all-out effort culminating in success.

"As you sit on the United Way board, you realize the tremendous need and the great amount of good which is being done," said Dawn Cribbs, the publicity director for this year's drive. "And, the good thing is, the money that is raised here, stays here."

The agencies served by the United Way helps those in need and those less fortunate. Now, it's the people's turn to help the agencies, providing them with the funding they need to assist abused, neglected, handicapped, elderly, out-of-work, young, jobless, hungry and homeless citizens.

This Wednesday, Oct. 8, United Way packets will be distributed to homes and work places throughout the community. Make your caring count. Unite with your neighbors to meet the needs of the 19 agencies served by the United Way.