Newsletter 
  April / May, 2018
  United Way of Knox County, Ohio

In This Letter
Annual Meeting

Crunch Out Obesity Celebration

ROX Self-Defense Class

Local Contest Winner

Girls on the Run will Run Comfortably

2019 Investment Funding Review Process Begins

Welcome Program Coordinator

Volunteer Spotlight

Power of the Purse
Join us!

Upcoming 
United Way events
April and May 2018

April 21, 6:30 p.m.
Ariel Corporation will host
Red Feather Gala
A celebration of United Way's Achievements and in Appreciation of Contributions to the Red Feather Society 
By invitation

May 4, 5:30 p.m.
Power of the Purse
Gund Commons, 
Kenyon College
Tickets - Sold Out
Contact Karen

June 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Drive 4 UR Community 
Mount Verrnon High School Football Stadium
Test drive a Car and Ford will donate to UWay
Appointments scheduled in advance
Contact Karen

Email for more details.

Jon Our Friends!

Upcoming 
Community Events
April and May 2018

April 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Knox County Pheasants Forever Youth Field Day
Campbell's Range 22430 Coshocton Road, Howard

April 21, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Brown Family Environmental Center Earth Day at the BFEC
Brown Family Environmental Center, Kenyon College
See the Details!

April 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Knox County Health Department 
Drug Take Back Day
FREE disposal of unused or expired medications - no liquids. Sponsored by KSAAT. 

April 28, All Day
Main Street Mount Vernon
Downtown Clean Up Day
Downtown

April 28, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
The Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention and CES Credit Union
Document Destruction Day (Shredding Day)
Knox County Court House

May 1 through Summer
Ariel Foundation Park
Summer Fitness Schedule - Free Events
Ariel Foundation Park 
Schnormeier Event Center

May 5, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mount Vernon Farmers Market
Opening Saturday
1 Public Square, Mount Vernon. 
Market is active May through October

Ongoing:
Get Healthy Knox County

Email for more details or to share your organization's events in the next newsletter!
In the News!

Recent Partner Events

KSAAT Pride Presentation and Annual Meeting took place March 13. See a summary of the 2017 PRIDE survey results. 

Local Girl Scout troop emphasized STEM themes in March 16 trip to FT Precision.The scouts toured the facility and spoke to female team leaders.

Groups Opioid recovery treatment community has a n ew location coming soon. The center is to be located at
401 West High Street
Mount Vernon, Ohio 

Email for more details or to share a story or event for the next newsletter.
Get Involved!

Active Volunteer and Enrollment Opportunities

Women United 
Utilizes the power of women to advance the common good in our community.

Imagination Library 
Encourages learning by providing free books to children birth to age 5.
To become a sponsor or to donate to the program, Contact  Karen

SPI Where Science and Play Intersect Discovery Play Space,  
Is now accepting 
and continues to offer 

Knox County YMCA
Promotes health & fitness programs for all ages.

Touchpointe KnoxWorks
removes barriers for Neighbors in need of a second chance to transition to the workforce.
This is a win-win for both 

Email and tell us if you have an active program to include in our next letter.
Quick Links:
  

  
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"In addition to hard work, it was the support of others who gave me the opportunity to succeed"

- Brian Gallagher
President and CEO of United Way Worldwide 

United Way 
of Knox County, Ohio 
is dedicated to being an agent of change, creating opportunities that move individuals and families to self-sufficiency, while eliminating barriers for future generations. 

Annual Meeting

United Way of Knox County, Ohio held our Annual Meeting on February 22, at The Alcove's Garden Room in downtown Mount Vernon. 


Thank you Knox County!  We were very pleased to announce the achievement of the $1 million dollar United Way campaign for 2017 at the meeting. These funds will be used to invest $702,868 in 
Request a copy of the United Way's 2017 Accomplishments in the 
Board members, partner agencies, and community members came together at the meeting. Select supporters were also recognized. See the list of top corporate campaigns recognized at the meeting. 
Crunch Out Obesity Celebration


Crunch Out Obesity Essay Winners were announced in a Celebration at the Gallagher Centre on Saturday, January 20.

The ceremony recognized the Classroom and Overall School Essay Winners for hard work during the 6-week fall program and their great essays describing "How I am Living Healthy". Marin Clendaniel, from Mrs. Parker's class at Wiggin Street Elementary was awarded a 2018 Family Membership to Hiawatha Water Park as the Crunch Out County Essay Winner. 

ROX Self-Defense Class

Our ROX, which stands for Ruling Our eXperience, program mission is to equip girls with the knowledge and skills necessary to live healthy, independent, productive, and violence-free lives. The 20-week evidence-based program for girls focuses on healthy relationships and communication, bullying, social media, positive body image, managing stress, team building, academics, and leadership.

ROX held a special defense class on International Women's day. On March 8, class participants met at the Knox County Career Center - Adult Education Center.

Local Contest Winner

Donley Auto Group and United Way celebrate winner Kim Wayne of Knox County. She drew the winning key of the Donely Ford car givaway to a 2018 Escape on March 17. 


Kim and other donors were entered into the  Donley Ford Car Giveaway by  making a donation of $250 or greater to United Way of Knox County Campaign.

Girls on the Run will Run Comfortably

Girls on the Run participants will be running comfortably. The program, supported by United Way of Knox County and Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, Inc., teaches elementary girls life skills and self-empowerment through conversation-based lessons and running games. It extends over 12-weeks and culminates in completion of the organization's 5K race and celebration in Columbus, Ohio. 
Participants in the program are provided with a new pair of running shoes to train and race in, socks, a t-shirt to wear on race day, and a clutch to keep their belongings in. 
While the scope of the organization includes participants in Knox, Delaware, Franklin, Fairfield and Union Counties,  12 girls take part in Knox County. 
Shoes, which the girls had been measured for at a previous practice, were distributed at the beginning of the session on April 5 at Columbia Elementary School. The girls excitedly traded their sneakers for fresh New Balance running shoes and were even given a fitting - organization representative and team coaches made sure to "come around to see where [the girls'] toes are". The organization rep helped one girl tighten her shoes and explained to the student that she would need to tie her shoes tight each time because the girl had narrow feet. One girl proclaimed that the shows "feel so much better [than the shoes she was wearing before]".
Practice began with the girls sitting in a circle and listing what they were grateful for - responses ranged from their bran d new shoes to having a good breakfast that day.  The team moved on to the running game for the day, which centered around healthy body image and holistic perception of beauty and ended with more focused running training. 

To learn more about this program or to register for the 5K race, please visit the organization website.



2019 Investment Funding Review Process Begins

Applications are in! March 20 was the deadline for partner agencies to submit program applications for the 2018 selection of 2019 investments. The process includes extensive involvement from our community impact panel volunteers, who evaluate applications, and from our community impact committee, who make funding recommendations. The results will form the 2019 Community Investment Agenda. Investment decisions are expected to be communicated to the partner agencies Summer 2018. 

If you are interested in participating in the community impact review process or if you know a great agency or program that may be a fit for the next cycle,    

Welcome Program Coordinator

United Way of Knox County welcomes Elizabeth Doolittle (pictured below) to their team as Program Coordinator.
Elizabeth brings experience and education in Engineering and Management. She spent several years in medical technology research, education, and project coordination at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Hospitals. She is passionate about health and teaching - taking her free time to mentor students, volunteer regularly in STEM outreach opportunities, and serve as a yoga instructor. Honoring her core values and emphasis on community, Elizabeth is very excited to return to her home town of Mount Vernon and Knox County to contribute to and support the United Way's programs.
 
As the newest member of the United Way team, Elizabeth will serve as Program Coordinator. She will plan, coordinate and report for the programming within United Way's Education Initiative, as well as educational opportunities in support of United Way's Financial Stability and Health Initiatives.
 
"I am thrilled to be able to have someone with Elizabeth's knowledge and experience, remarked United Way Executive Director, Kelly Brenneman. We are very fortunate that Elizabeth decided to return to Mount Vernon and pursue a career with United Way. She is a terrific addition to our team."

Volunteer Spotlight
 
We are proud  to introduce you to......
 our Tax Preparation Team!


Meet Lou

Lou (pictured second from left) is a well-versed volunteer just wrapping up his fourth year with  United Way of Knox County's Tax Preparation Assistance program using the Ohio Benefit Bank.  Previously a minister in Maine and throughout New England, Lou moved to Ohio 21 years ago to be close to family and his first grand daughter - now a freshly minted college graduate.

After a year of serving as a tax preparation volunteer through AARP, Lou was trained at a special event at Kenyon College in order to volunteer for United Way's Tax Preparation Assistance Program using the Ohio Benefit Bank. The program's goal is to increase the financial stability of Knox County Residents, by providing FREE tax preparation assistance for qualifying residents.  Lou describes the process as easy and convenient. He states that his favorite part of the program is meeting new people and getting to talk to them. "People really appreciate it". It probably also helps that he volunteers with his friend and golfing partner John (pictured far right). 

To learn more about the Free Tax Preparation Assistance Program or to volunteer for next year, please visit our website.

 
Tickets are SOLD OUT
Contact 
Karen 
 for more details.