2022 United Way Campaign

Every school, business, and family has some type of safety plan. You do not call 911 or grab for your first aid kits every day, but when an emergency hits, you seek help. Recently, I visited with each of the United Way in Montgomery County partner agencies and I realized that these agencies play an important role in our community’s safety plan.

Perhaps we reach for a band aid to attend to a small child and ensure they are cared for, protected, and able to continue forward prepared to tackle the next adventure. That’s the role of our 5 partner daycares & preschools.

Perhaps you need multiple items from the kit – some gauze, antiseptic wipes, a pair of tweezers. The hurt is a little more extensive and may take a few more strategies to address the multiple concerns. That’s where our Boy’s and Girl’s Club and Youth Services Bureau enter the picture. Proving the entire “first aid kit” for schools-aged children. Taking care of educational, social, physical, and mental health needs as our youth develop.

Perhaps you need one of those protective wraps or a brace so you can protect your bones while they heal. Life has difficult challenges and obstacles and sometimes an individual simply needs additional resources to wrap around them. Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy (CARA) and Volunteers for Mental Health are two agencies that provide that extra support through education, counseling, and training.

Perhaps you are faced with an alarming emergency and you need a fire extinguisher. In our community we face the flames of domestic abuse, substance abuse disorder, and homelessness. Thankfully, you can call the Family Crisis Shelter, Trinity Life Ministry, the Recovery Coalition or Pam’s Promise. These agencies provide food, shelter, counseling, and a network of services while providing a safe drug-free place for people to learn work skills and social skills so they can become productive members of society and caring family members.

Perhaps as you age, you need a cane or a walker for safety or your vision lessens and you can no longer drive to a doctors’ appointment or to pick up groceries or prescriptions. Perhaps your social security benefits can’t be stretched any farther and you can’t pay a utility bill. Our Sunshine Vans and Community Chest programs serve our elderly and disabled neighbors, providing aid and assistance for their unique needs.

We may not face a daily struggle or currently have a major life emergency, but we are thankful that there are agencies in place ready to assist when we do. This is why the 2022 United Way campaign is so important. The funds raised through these efforts will ensure that our 15 partner agencies can continue to be our community first aid kit – fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of all in Montgomery County.

Kathy Steele, retired superintendent of Crawfordsville Schools, is the drive chair for this year’s Montgomery County United Way fund-raiser. She wrote this as part of the campaign efforts this year. Over the next several days, The Paper will urge you to Live United, Montgomery County! We’ll share a continuing series that explains a little bit about each United Way agency. The annual fund drive helps these agencies, which do so much good work in our county, keep their doors open. If you would be willing to donate, you can do so at www.uwmontgomery.org. Or you can mail donations to PO Box 247, Crawfordsville IN 47933. And if your employer doesn’t offer the ability to donate through work, you can drop off the donation at 221 E Main St, Second floor.