Newsletter 
  December 2018 - January 2019
  United Way of Knox County, Ohio

In This Letter

2018 Campaign
Update

After School Elementary Programs

Crunch Out

Free Tax Preparation Assistance 

Online Presence

Annual Meeting

Volunteer Opportunities

Join us!

Upcoming 
United Way events
October and November

January 12, 2019
Crunch Out Celebration
The Crunch Out program honors the winners of our Essay Competition
Call 740 392 5721 or visit our website for program details

Spring 2019
Free Tax Preparation Assistant
Make an appointment by calling United Way at 740.397.5721

October through May
Afterschool Elementary Tutoring and Enrichment
East School Eagles' Nest and Dan Emmett Tiger Pride Club meet afterschool Monday through Thursday
To Volunteer, email [email protected]

Thursdays 5:30-6:30p.m.
YMCA Youth Enrichment
YMCA, OSU Extension and United Way join forces: Get a workout while your child learns something new each week! Free for YMCA members, $5 non-members
Call 740 392 9622

Daily
Edible Knox
305 E High Street and along Main Street and Downtown Mount Vernon

Email for more details.

Join Our Friends!

Upcoming 
Community Events

Ongoing
Knox Out Tobacco
is looking for Service and Referral Providers
Contact Mike Whitaker at
[email protected] 
or 740.392.2200 ext. 2233

February 7, 10 AM
Edible Knox 
Project Informational Meeting at the Knox County
 Health Department Conference Room - discuss the program, ask questions, and plan for next season.

December 14
Holiday Bazaar 
Santa's Workshop
Held by the Bionic team at the Knox County Career Center - supported by a Women United grant

January 17
(Snow date Jan 24)
Career Intelligence Workshop
Knox Technical Center, 
offers information and training on how to get the job and keep it!
Supported by a 
Women United grant
Contact Lori Gastin at 740.393.2933 ext. 1114

January 10
4:30 - 6 p.m.
the Freedom Center
Empower Group 
Free and open to children ages 8 to 12 years who have a parent or family member struggling with substance use and addiction.
Contact Melissa Body or Ashley Kuhn at 740.397.2660

1st Monday Each Month, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
the Freedom Center
Family Education Session
106 East Gambier St

During the School Year
Ohio Job and Family Services
New online Child Care Resource tool to find childcare before and after school.

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

Food For the Hungry
Annual Turkey Trot Race
November 22

Food For the Hungry Drive

Mount Vernon Middle School Career Day
United Way's Program Director spoke to students about project management and nonprofit work
November 16

Mount Vernon Middle School Veteran's Day Breakfast 
United Way is a proud sponsor of the event to honor veterans in our community
November 13

KSAAT Meetings & Tyler's Light
In a very active day - TAC held a leadership Day, Youth, Adult, and Community KSAAT Committees met, and Tyler's Light was presented to the community.


Knox County Health Department  Accreditation Celebration
took place on 

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

Active 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.
 Email us to register, become a sponsor or to donate to the program

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

Muskingum Valley Council
Scouts are actively recruiting Boys AND girls for their scouting programs. Visit BeAScout.scouting.org and enter your zip code to find a troop 

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.
 


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"No one has ever become poor by giving"

- Ann Frank

We can give in so many different ways - money, time, expertise. Everyone has something to offer to make our community a better place. Contact United Way to find a way to give this season.

Campaign 2018

Our Campaign theme this year is "Hear Our Stories, your gift changes their stories." We have been so excited to share some incredible stories that we have collected from our program participants and partner agency clients with the community.
Tell us YOUR United Way story! Have you volunteered at a poverty simulation? Do you have a neighbor or loved one who participates in one of our partner agency programs? Do you read Imagination Library books with your grandchild? Submit your story online and tell us how United Way has made an impact!



It's not too late to make your year-end gift (or to inspire a culture of giving by donating in the name of a loved one).  Use  this link to make an online donation to our 2018 Campaign or text UWay2018 to 41444 and follow the instructions in the return message.

After School Elementary Programs


United Way's 2019 after school elementary tutoring and enrichment programs, East Elementary's Eagles' Nest an Dan Emmett Elementary's Tiger Pride Club have finished a successful fall semester. Over 30 students, who received homework help and experienced engaging new activities from teachers, aids, and community volunteers,  are improving in testing and classroom performance. The Mount Vernon News  prepared an article about the programs.



Both after school programs started October first and will run Monday through Thursday, 3:30 - 5 pm until May. They are actively recruiting volunteer tutors. Volunteer, become a program sponsor, or learn more about the programs by contacting [email protected] or calling United Way at 740.397.5721

Crunch Out

The Crunch Out has wrapped up at all of Knox County's 4th grade physical education classes. This year the program sported a new name, but promoted the same great exercise, nutrition and wellness information. 



Fourth graders learned to use an exercise ball, were introduces to the 5-2-1-0 guidelines, journal about their healthy habits, and reflect on their experience in the program by writing an essay at the end. This year, information about the program was shared by the Mount Vernon news.


Students are rewarded for participating in the program with fun prizes. Each student was also asked to write a 'How I am Living Healthy' Essay for an essay contest. Winners will be announced on January 12, 2019 at a program celebration. 



While the Crunch Out program is designed for 4th graders, the wellness information is relevant to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, bodies, and professions. Is there an opportunity to apply a piece of the 5-2-1-0 guide in your life?

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

Since 2007, United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc has been offering free tax preparation assistance. Our dedicated staff and team of tax preparation volunteers will assist clients in using The Ohio Benefit Bank's web-based program to prepare both Federal and State Taxes.


This program saves qualifying clients from paying costly fees to prepare simple tax filings. We help our clients boost savings by making sure that they claim appropriate tax credits, such as the Earned Income Credit and Child Care Credit.

Find out more about the program  online. Call our office at 740.397.5721 to find out if you qualify.

Activating Our Online Presence

Many of you may have noticed our new and more active online presence. We have increased our communications on 
Facebook, made it a priority to create new content on 
our website, and have implemented a bi-monthly schedule for our newsletter.  Please take a moment to check out the website, 

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting, a Celebration of our 2018 accomplishments and recognition of our supporters, is planned for February 21, 2019. Watch your inbox for more information!




Call for Volunteers
 
Would you like to volunteer to serve our Knox County Community?

Active Volunteer Opportunities

Eagles' Nest after school program
at East Elementary School in Mount Vernon
is actively seeking volunteers to serve as tutors 
Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5pm
Contact United Way at 740.397.5721

Tiger Pride Club after school program
at Dan Emmett School in Mount Vernon
is actively seeking volunteers to serve as tutors 
Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5pm
Contact United Way at 740.397.5721

Interchurch Social Services
Knox County Locations
Opportunities vary
740.397.4825

The Winter Sanctuary
Volunteers will oversee the guests 
and assist to  operate the shelter
740.392.9277

The Salvation Army
is recruiting Red Kettle Campaign bell rringers
740.392.8721

SPI Science and Play Space 
unitilize regular and ivolunteers to help deliver programming to Knox County children

We aim to make United Way activities a reflection of Knox County's priorities. We rely on community volunteers to lead the process, we strive to LIVE UNITED.