Edward Jones graciously sponsored the Darke County United Way’s Campaign Coordinator Training, which serves to jump start the employee campaigns in the area, training volunteers to advocate and raise funds at local employers for United Way. United Way is honored to have this sponsorship as this training is essential to the success of the community campaign. This year 40 volunteers met at the Grace Resurrection Community Center to learn about the United Way and the educational, health and stability needs of Darke County residents enjoying a nice lunch from Montage. Peggy Follrod spoke about GRCC’s food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing bank, and medical fee assistance program known as Bridging the Medical Gap. In the first half of 2012, GRCC served 1,796 clothing bank patrons, 2,357 households with the food pantry (7,536 individuals), and 6,319 soup kitchen meals. GRCC has also started a new Backpack program, in which they are filling backpacks for local children to have food over the weekend when they are away from school for those that are chronically hungry. GRCC is one of the United Way funded programs for Darke County and the United Way and participants were very happy to learn about and serve GRCC.
Lauren Henry announced the campaign goal of $360,000 and introduced the programs. The United Way programs include Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County, Boys & Girls Club of Greenville, Council on Rural Services – Gateway Youth Programs, ACES (Achievement Center for Educational Success) & HandsOn West Central Ohio RSVP programs, Darke County Extension Service 4-H, Miami Valley Boy Scouts, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Stuff a Bus, American Red Cross – Darke County Chapter, Community Action Partnership – Emergency Homeless Shelter, Supportive Housing & Senior Meal and Transportation Services, Community Unity, Darke County Recovery Services, Darke County YMCA Financial Assistance Program, FAME (Financial Assistance for Medical Emergencies), GRCC, Bridge the Gap (United Way program for rent, mortgage and utility assistance), Cancer Association of Darke County, Catholic Social Services Counseling & Assisted Living, Community Service for Deaf, Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, SafeHaven Inc., State of the Heart Hospice Bereavement Services, and Familywize Prescription Drug Discount Program.
The Darke County United Way campaign is the community’s local campaign to help neighbors in need. The United Way campaign is currently at $222,089.44, 62% of goal. Give where you live, donations to the United Way help 27 local programs and stay in Darke County. Last year from the help of this generous community, over 19,000 Darke County residents were provided with counseling services, tutoring services, disaster assistance, hot meals, shelter, cancer support and much more. The Darke County United Way is a 501c3 non-profit with a local volunteer board. The campaign is going on now. If you would like to help and make a donation, please send donations to Darke County United Way, PO Box 716, Greenville, OH 45331 or donate online at www.darkecountyunitedway.org.
On behalf of the Darke County United Way board and staff, we would like to thank Edward Jones for this generous donation and supporting Darke County’s health, education and stability initiatives. Edward Jones is strengthening the community and the United Way is honored to receive this donation. Special thanks to Edward Jones’ representatives: Dave Connelly, Todd Subler, Bill Wolke, Steve Litchfield, and Andria Haworth.
