By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The United Way of Ellis County will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year, and to honor that milestone the campaign has set a goal of $370,000.
Erica Berges, executive director of the United Way of Ellis County, said that goal will allow the United Way to keep funding allocations the same for its partner agencies.
"We are showing a little bit of our past, but yet looking toward our future. Our theme this year is 'Creating a Brighter Tomorrow,'" Berges said.
All the funds donated during the campaign stay local. Nonprofit groups that would have difficulty otherwise raising substantial funds on their own rely on annual allocations from the United Way to support programs.
The United Way supports three main pillars in the community—health, education and financial stability.
The funds are allocated by a group of volunteers called the Cares Council.
The 14 partner agencies that were funded in 2023 include American Red Cross, Big Brother Big Sisters, Cancer Council of Ellis County, Catholic Charities, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), DSNWK, First Call for Help, Salvation Army, Ellis County Senior Center, Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Parents and Children Together, Western Kanas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled and Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center.
You can learn more about these agencies on the United Way website, liveunitedks.
Recent inflation has been driving up costs for the agencies as well as resulting in more people in need of services in some cases, Berges said.
"If your gas or your rent or your groceries continues to go up, something has to give. A lot of that need for necessities like food [has increased,]" Berges said.
The United Way encourages businesses to offer payroll deductions that will go to the campaign. The nonprofit awards a Champions Circle Trophy annually to the large and small businesses with the most per capita giving.
Last year Bank of Hays won the small-business trophy, and Midwest Energy won the large-business award.
The United Way Campaign Kickoff will be at noon Friday, Aug. 25 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall during the monthly Hays Chamber luncheon.
The presentation will include success stories from some of the United Way's partner agencies.
"You can see where your donation is going and how it's helping people," she said.
You don't have to be a Chamber member to attend. The cost for lunch is $14 for Chamber members and $17 for non-members. You can call the Chamber at 785-628-8201 to make a reservation.
The United Way Pumpkin Packers gather donations during the fall homecoming parades in Hays. They carry Halloween pumpkins along the parade route and collect spare change from spectators.
Thomas More Prep-Marian's homecoming parade will be Sept. 15. Hays High School's homecoming parade will be Sept. 29, and Fort Hays State University's homecoming parade will be Sept. 30.
United Way has many ways to donate. You can make a one-time donation or sign up for monthly or roundup options on the United Way website.
The roundup option will round up purchases to the nearest dollar with the change going to United Way. You can set a maximum donation per month.
You can drop checks or cash in person at the United Way office in the Chestnut Building, 1200 Main St., Suite 1o2, Hays or mail checks to PO Box 367, Hays, KS 67601.
You also can use Venmo at @United-Way-of Ellis-County.
You can follow the campaign and learn more about partner agencies by following the United Way Facebook page.