Editorial

Let's unite behind United Way

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

It's time for the people of McCook to unite in support of the 2005 United Way campaign. It's urgent, because the fate of 18 essential community programs depends upon all of us, together, doing our part.

The drive, now in its final weeks, needs a strong finish to reach the goal of $87,000. That sounds like a lot of money, but when you spread it among the 8,000 people who live in and around McCook, it amounts to just a little over $10 per person.

In years past, every cause had to go out and collect money on its own. But, in the middle of the past century, communities across the nation began to realize the value of combining their giving. That way, worthy projects were not overlooked, and givers had the satisfaction of knowing they were helping with a variety of community needs.

And so it is in McCook, where we are fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers working for the good of the community. But they need help. It is our contributions which allow them to deliver meals to home-bound residents ... to offer refuge to victims of domestic abuse ... to act as advocates for abused and neglected children ... to reach out to families in distress ... and to help adults get educational training.

There's much more. The list goes on and on, with the agencies reaching a combined total of 9,109 people on an annual basis. Here's who your gifts will help in the year to come: CASA, Cedars, Domestic Abuse, Family Resources, Guiding Good Choices, Lutheran Family Services, Mid-Nebraska Community Action, Team Mates, Adult Education, Swatters 4-H, Home-Delivered Meals, Mid-Nebraska Community Services, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Salvation Army, Live Y-ers and YMCA.

It's time to step up. These worthy community causes need your support. You may send your gift, of whatever amount you desire, to: United Way, P.O. Box 97, McCook, NE 69001. You're also invited to contact this year's United Way team, which includes: Mark Searcey, AmFirst, president; Randy Chambers, Valmont, vice president; Dawn Cribbs, McCook Daily Gazette, publicity chair; and directors: the Rev. Sam Williams, the Red Willow County Ministerial Association; Penny Brown, First Central; Rebecca Vosburg, Wells Fargo; Jim Hull, McCook National; Stephen Loyd, JC Penneys; and Barb Bortner, AmFirst.

Calls may also be directed to the drive chair, Russ DeLong of Valmont, or the drive coordinator, Shary Skiles of the McCook Daily Gazette.

Let's all do our part. The abundant works of the United Way agencies are deserving of the community's support.

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