Page 3 - You&YourHealth

Vision 2017—You and Your Health El Dorado NEWS-TIMES – Sunday, March 19 – 3
Contributed Photos
Community Caring: Volunteers from El Dorado Connections work with local nonprofits to collect canned goods for the United Way’s annual Soup for Seniors Food Drive. More than 1,200 pounds of non-perishable items are collected annually to be distributed to the elderly in our community.
UTnited Way: Improving lives in Union County
he United Way of Union County continues to work towards improving lives through investing in resources that will build a strong
and healthy community through an annual campaign, which raises more than $1.2 million through individ- ual gifts and workplace campaigns to support pro- grams and services provided by 13 local non-profit agencies.
In 2016, local contributions helped the United Way of Union County raise more than $1.2 million for its local agencies making hundreds of programs possi- ble in this community. And what makes our United Way unique is 100% of donations stay here in Union County and go directly to programs and services.
United Way has been in existence for over 120 years and in Union County since 1962, although originally known as the El Dorado Community Chest since 1933. As part of a national network of locally governed organizations, the United Way of Union County works with local agencies to create lasting positive changes in our community and in people’s lives.
United Way of Union County is governed by a board of local community leaders and makes deci- sions based on local needs and values. Last year alone, the United Way helped over 30,000 citizens in Union County.
Volunteers are the backbone of the United Way’s annual campaign, especially in local businesses. The Loaned Executive Program enables employees to see firsthand the needs in our community, and how United Way agencies are striving to meet those needs. United Way is fortunate to have good relation- ships with local companies that let their employees volunteer. The Loaned Executives also participate in the Business Blitz, conducting employee campaigns, and the Celebration of Caring.
The annual Business Blitz is held each September. Loaned Executives from area businesses, paired with United Way agency representatives, visit small busi- nesses to solicit pledges and donations for this cam- paign. The teams dress in costume of the campaign theme and compete for prizes as they help United Way reach the campaign goal. Volunteers partici- pating in the Business Blitz attend a training session one week prior to the event. Participation in these programs is vital to our campaign.
People in Union County are helped by United Way agencies to live independently; improve physical, mental and emotional health; enjoy a hot meal or a comfortable bed; participate in sports and after- school activities rather than risky behaviors; find
Helping Youth: The Boy Scouts of America, above, and Dolly Parton Imagination LIbrary, at left, are two of many programs supported by the United Way. DeSoto Council hosts a number of events at Camp DeSoto, located be- tween El Dorado and Junction City. The United Way of Union County also supports the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Book Program. Children in Union County, ages birth to 5 years, can register to receive a free book in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. More than 1,200 children currently participate.
safety for themselves and their children from abusive situations; place their children in a learning environ- ment suited to their special needs; enjoy the outdoors and recreational pursuits with others their own age; continue their college education in times of financial hardship and much more.
Agencies supported by the United Way of Union County are: Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club, Camp Fire, Community Living Arrangements, Girl Scouts, HOPE Landing, Literacy Council of Union County, Salvation Army, Single Parent Scholarship Fund, South Arkansas Children’s Coalition, South Arkansas Developmental Center for Children & Families, South Arkansas Fights AIDS and Turning Point. In addition to the annual campaign, the United Way of Union County supports the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The idea of this free book pro- gram is to foster a love of reading among our county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, children in Union County can be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, we can insure
that every child will have books, regardless of their family’s income. It is free for children birth to age five living in Union County. Visit www.imagination- library.com to sign up.
To support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the United Way of Union County hosts the Power of the Purse fundraiser each spring. The event features a fashion show from local merchants and a silent auction with designer purses. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit United Way of Union County’s early literacy initiative. This year the Power of the Purse will be held on Thursday, May 18. Call the United Way office at 862-4903 for ticket informa- tion.
Another special event hosted by United Way of Union County is HalloWeinerPawLooza, held annu- ally around Halloween. The eighth annual event is scheduled for Saturday, October 28 at the Boys & Girls Club. It will feature costume contests for chil- dren and pets; games, a kissing booth, a photo booth, concessions — and, of course, dog races. The two race categories include the Dachshund Dash (for dachshunds only) and the Weiner Wanna Bes (all other breeds).