Friday, November 10, 2006 11:18 PM CST
Our View: Help your neighbor, friend, family with donation to United Way
By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com
If you ever wondered what you can do to help your community, now is the time to consider a donation to the United Way.
The 2006-07 fund drive for the United Way of Coles County is currently under way. The goal for this year’s drive is $305,000.
Pledge materials are going out to everyone in the county at this time.
It may seem like an area the size of Coles County wouldn’t have some of the problems one finds in a more urban area. But the statistics are real. Homelessness, hunger and abuse happen right here in our community every day.
The agencies that receive funds from the United Way are designed to give help where it is needed most. This year, 31 local organizations are slated to receive funds. That’s a lot of people doing a lot of good right here at home.
Agencies receiving funds help those of all ages and backgrounds. Your money can help by funding programs that give our youth something positive to do in their free time, or programs that help families in crisis due to abuse, poverty and addiction.
Youth programs that receive funding are the Charleston Baseball Association, Charleston Community Day Care Center, Charleston Girls’ Softball Association, Charleston Junior Football League and Cheerleading Program, Children’s Assistance Fund, Children’s Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois, Coles County CASA, Covered Bridge Girl Scout Council, Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts of America, Mattoon Recreation Association and Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Programs helping families and residents of all ages are American Red Cross of Coles and Clark County, Camp New Hope, Catholic Charities, Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry, Charleston Civic Association, Charleston Transitional Facility, Coalition for People in Need, Coles County Council on Aging, Cumberland Associates Senior Program, CUP Prison Support Program, Eastern Illinois Foodbank, HOPE of East Central Illinois, Illinois Coalition for Community Services, Kids Hope United, Mattoon Area Family YMCA, Mattoon Area PADS, Mattoon Community Food Center, Peace Meal Senior Nutrition Program, Salvation Army, and the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service.
These programs help people with food, shelter, child care, clothing, disaster relief and counseling. More importantly, these programs provide hope.
We believe most county residents have been affected by one of these programs, or know someone who has. Your donation may some day help your neighbor, your friend or your family.
We encourage everyone to consider giving to this worthwhile effort.
JG/T-C Editorial Board
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