Friday, November 7, 2008 10:17 PM CST
OUR VIEW: You, United Way can make a difference
By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com
United Way of Coles County has begun its 2008-09 fund drive. Again this year, the goal is to collect more than $300,000.
It's an ambitious goal, considering the uncertainty of the economy.
But the economic downturn is precisely the reason why the work of agencies supported by United Way is more important than ever.
The agencies that receive funds from the United Way are designed to give help where it is needed most. The agencies deal primarily with assisting children, senior citizens and families in need.
What can you do to help?
It's easy. Make a donation. Invest in your community. Make a difference.
Even a small donation can help it can put mittens on a child's hands, bundle him in a coat, put a cap on his head and provide him with a set of underwear.
It can help someone pay the rent or the electric bill, provide a warm bed for the night, or put gasoline in a family's car.
It can help a family with child-care needs, put food on the table or provide counseling after a traumatic situation.
It can even help provide children with positive after-school activities, such as football, softball, cheerleading and day camps.
The concept has worked here for 50 years and we believe United Way of Coles County is even more important today.
For several years now, the United Way fund drive has been a unified effort among all communities in Coles County.
It has worked, and it should continue to work, as the slogan says, for all of us.
Agencies receiving funds help those of all ages and backgrounds.
The Coalition for People in Need works with churches to provide food, rent, utility assistance and more.
The Coles County Council on Aging offers public transportation, senior volunteers for a variety of programs, plus in-home care for the elderly who need it and assistance for grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren.
The Children's Assistance Fund, Children's Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois, Kids Hope United and Coles County CASA are there for children in a variety of situations. Those agencies offer clothing for those in need, provide assistance for those who have been abused physically or sexually, are removed from a home where illegal drugs were present and represent abused and neglected children in court.
Agencies that help families and residents of all ages include 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 Habitat for Humanity, Cumberland Associates Senior Program, CUP Prison Support Program, Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Mattoon Area Family YMCA, Mattoon Area PADS, Mattoon Community Food Center, Salvation Army, and the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service.
Most county residents have been touched by one or more of these programs, or know someone who has. Your donation may some day help your neighbor, your friend or your family.
For the past few weeks we have featured one agency of United Way of Coles County on Page A3 of this newspaper.
Now, we encourage everyone to consider supporting the United Way of Coles County in this important 2008-09 fund drive.
JG/T-C Editorial Board
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injustice85 wrote on Nov 16, 2008 10:27 AM: