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JUNCTION CITY– The United Way of Junction City-Geary County has reached its goal of $160,000 for the 2006 Campaign, according to Marcia Smith, executive director.
“The participation from Fort Riley’s Combined Federal Campaign just about doubled this year over last year, and it will really help us meet the growing needs of this Army community,” said Smith. “We are very grateful. But local charities are still a very small part of that campaign that usually raises $50,000 more than we do.”
Smith said her challenge is to do a better job of letting soldiers and their families know what services the local United Way agencies are providing to military families. She also hopes to encourage commanders at Fort Riley to see support of the local United Way as a means of taking care of their soldiers.
A few of the services currently provided by United Way agencies for military families are free transportation to medical appointments at Irwin Army Community Hospital through the Armed Services YMCA, the Fourth Grade Learn to Swim program through the Family YMCA, counseling and assistance for victims of domestic abuse through The Crisis Center, medical and dental services through Konza Prairie Community Health, fire recovery services for off-post residents through Geary County Red Cross and emergency food supplies through the Geary County Food Pantry. On post Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops are also supported through the local United Way.
“More people than I could name helped us meet this goal, but the endorsement of our honorary chairs, Junction City Mayor and Mrs. Terry Heldstab and retired Army LTG Richard Seitz, was invaluable,” Smith said. “Now we just need everyone who made a pledge to write those checks during the coming year because the needs are great and continuing to grow.”
The Fort Riley Combined Federal Campaign donations were in the greater than $2,000 category along with Westar Energy, Embarq, Jellison Benevolence Fund, Cox Communications, the law firm of Hoover, Schermerhorn, Edwards, Pinaire and Rombold; Waters True Value Hardware, Kansas Gas Service, Geary County employees, and Veolia Water. The campaign’s largest donations from a group of employees came from USD 475 ($18,000) and Central National Bank ($13,000). The single largest donation was $5,000 from the Bramlage Family Foundation.
The United Way’s 2007 campaign is already being planned for August and September. Plans are underway to kick off next year’s campaign at a Junction City Generals’ baseball game near the end of their season.
The United Way board of directors and allocations committee also recently notified 14 agencies of funding commitments for 2007. Those agencies include two new United Way not-for-profits: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“We are proud to bring these great organizations under the United Way umbrella and help support the important work they do in our community,” said Smith. “Many people don’t realize it is the United Way in their own hometown, made up of volunteers who are probably their neighbors, who determine each year what organizations will receive the money collected by their local United Way.”
CASA trains volunteers to be advocates for children who are in the court system due to abuse or neglect. These volunteers also monitor services that are to be provided to the children according to court orders. Big Brothers Big Sisters match at-risk youth with carefully screened adult mentors. These volunteers provide encouragement and support so the children can reach their full potential.