Dividing Donor Dollars in 2011: United Way of Mahaska County funds Sixteen Partner Agencies with a total of $277,631
During the January 28, 2011 meeting of the Board of Directors of United Way of Mahaska County, $277,631 in grants were approved to 16 partner agencies throughout the county. The funding priorities in 2011 were focused around meeting basic needs in times of crisis, while supporting Education, Income/Financial Stability and Health as building blocks for a better life.
Twelve community members volunteered to serve on the Community Investment Team, which reviewed grant applications and recommended the distribution of United Way grant funds. This diverse group of community members not only reviewed the grant applications, but also interviewed partner agency representatives, reviewed program results, and looked at the needs of the community as a whole.
The community members serving on this year’s Community Investment Team were:
* Chairperson – Nick Smith, Vice President, United Way of Mahaska County Board of Directors
* Larry Anderson – MidwestOne Bank
* Candace Bell – George Daily Community Auditorium
* Alan Fender – Edward Jones Investments
* Keith Grieser – Cargill, Eddyville
* Brant Miller – Cablevey Conveyors
* Ralphi Munson – Ralphi’s Reruns, New Sharon
* Ryan Purdum – Musco Lighting
* Michael Schrock – City of Oskaloosa
* Nancy Shipman – ITW Paslode
* Tiffany Tremmel – CLOW Valve Company
* Carri VandeRee – Leighton State Bank
“The volunteers who served on this year’s Community Investment Team should be commended for their efforts to be cautious with the dollars entrusted to us by the community. It’s not an easy task. We had $385,893 in requests with only $277,631 available to distribute,” stated United Way of Mahaska County’s Executive Director, Christy Bellinger.
The sixteen partner agencies receiving funding include:
* Mahaska Hospice – Palliative Care
* Crisis Intervention Services
* Kids’ Corner Child Care
* Mahaska County YMCA
* Food Bank of Southern Iowa
* Love INC
* New Hope Community Center
* Ecumenical Cupboard
* Oskaloosa Free Medical Clinic
* Iowa Legal Aid
* 4-H Foundation
* Imagine the Possibilities
* South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living
* Agency on Aging
* American Red Cross (Southern Prairie Chapter)
* Mahaska County Homelessness Coalition
The mission of United Way of Mahaska County is Leading People to LIVE UNITED with a vision to improve lives for a better tomorrow. More than just a fundraising organization, the organization works to bring neighbors and resources together in our community.
In addition to funding partner agencies, United Way of Mahaska County provides direct programs and services including 2-1-1, Winter Coat Drive, Literacy Program, Iowa Career Access Point, VITA Tax Site, Familywize Prescription Discount Program and Operation Backpack. For more information, contact Christy Bellinger at 641-673-6043 or unitedway@mahaska.org.
