All over Kewanee and the surrounding area, 12,000 residents have received a letter from the Kewanee Area United Way. That letter is the largest annual fundraising drive for the organization, said Linda Blair, KAUW executive director.
“We are asking residents again to donate to the needs in this area. Since Covid hit in 2020, we have held our breath that everyone would recognize the need and keep the donations coming, and they have. In the annual mailing Kewanee Area United Way includes information about the nonprofit agencies that provide much needed resources in Henry and Stark counties,” said Blair.
In the last five years, KAUW has given out $353,000 to nonprofit agencies in Henry and Stark Counties. Those dollars come from the great businesses in this area and from the residents who step up to bat each year, she said.
“The nonprofits that we support at KAUW haven’t given up on their end, and work hard to provide services despite the economy, staff shortages, and increasing need,” said Blair.
According to statistics, mental health issues have risen 30-40% in the last three years. The food pantries also have experienced a drastically increased need. Each of our agencies have seen the demand for services increase. More information about the agencies who receive grants can be found on the KAUW website at www.kauw.org.
For approximately 70 years, the KAUW has risen to meet the challenges in the area. And they will continue to do so, but their annual drive ensures that they have the necessary resources to help everyone who needs it, the letter reads.
KAUW has given grants to schools, cleaning products to those who need it, hand sanitizer to the schools, yearly financial support to nonprofits agencies that provide counseling, home delivered and congregate meals and services, handicapped training, physical and home support to the aging, tutoring and after school programs, and advocacy for children and domestic abuse shelters.
“Through your donations to KAUW, the nonprofit agencies that carry out the day-to-day work are able to continue providing resources in Henry and Stark counties,” the recent mailing reads. “Your neighbors and maybe family still need help.”
Some of the programs that receive funds from the KAUW are ABCD-After School Program, Abilities Plus, Alternatives for Older Adults, Salvation Army, Rebuilding Together-Henry County, Braveheart, The Henry County Senior Citizens Center, and the YMCA, to name just a few. In total, 16 organizations are provided with additional funds they need to serve the two counties.
“Whether it’s $5 or $500, the money will be used to address the increasing need in the area,” Darcy James, board president said, citing a statistics that shows that over 40 percent of residents use one or more of the services provided by the agencies that the KAUW assist.
Blair said she hopes people will continue to take the time to return the mailing along with a donation.
“I have the honor to work with some awesome agencies but more importantly, I talk to people who need help. The calls to the KAUW office come weekly, sometimes daily as more people need help coping with issues. I am so relieved that I can usually give them a phone number to get help or a place to go for help. That would not be possible without the nonprofit agencies in this area and more importantly, the people and businesses in Henry and Stark Counties who step forward with their donations to support KAUW in a continual effort to keep services in this area through the nonprofit agencies who serve all of us,” said Blair.
Donations can be made online at www.kauw.org, or residents can mail checks to KAUW at PO Box 426, Kewanee.
