United Way of Knox County, Ohio Inc
Newsletter November & December, 2019
Our Campaign theme this year is "In a World So Divided, LIVE UNITED". This theme highlights that diversity, inclusion, and community give value to every human being, no matter our differences. By promoting the health, education, and financial stability of all Knox County residents, we find ways that we can all agree and unite!

All around Knox County, we are displaying Campaign Thermometers, which demonstrate our progress toward the 2019 Campaign goal of $1,185,000 to support Knox County programs in 2020. They can be seen at various First Knox National Banks across Knox County, including Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Fredericktown, and Danville locations, as well as Peoples Bank in Gambier. As the red tape indicates, we are well on our way to reaching our goal.

Thank you for supporting to 2019 Campaign. To make an online donation and to help us reach our goal for Knox County, please click the Donate button below.
Crunch Out Knox County

The Crunch Out program has wrapped up in all of Knox County's 4th grade physical education classes. The program promotes exercise, nutrition and wellness information. 

Education and practice are the best way to create healthy habits. That's what Crunch Out provides for Knox County's students! Crunch Out Knox County provides information and tools to help our children create and maintain healthy habits to support life-long wellness.

The program concludes with an essay where the students explain how they are using the 5-2-1-0 guidelines to live healthy lives. Members of the Get Healthy Knox County Coalition helped review essays and select classroom, school, and overall Knox County winners. The students will be celebrated in an event planned for Saturday, January 11.

We have even more exciting program news to share this year. The  Knox County Health Department connected United Way with funding to provide healthy food options for all three of the after school programs!

In total, $4,999.12 worth of snacks were ordered through additional nutrition education funds from ODH.

The Knox County Health Department's Maternal and Child Health Grant Coordinator Elisa was able to partner with United Way to supply healthy snacks to our after school programs. Snack were purchased in bulk and delivered to United Way's office. We then organized the items and provided them to the schools in mid-October.

On behalf of the students, coordinators, and our office, we'd like to thank the Knox County Health Department!
After School Tutoring and Enrichment

After School Programs at East Elementary School and Dan Emmett boasted improved testing and classroom performance for 2018-2019 students. Programs offer students a snack to fuel up for homework help and enrichment activities including board games, yoga, music, and crafts. Eagles' Nest was featured in the Mount Vernon City School District's Fall 2019 Newsletter.

Our after school program expanded to include a new program, the Bulldog Pound at East Knox Elementary School.  Like the two programs before it, the Bulldog Pound meets Monday through Thursday, 3:30 - 5 pm from October until May. Volunteer as a tutor or learn more about the programs by contacting liveunited@uwayknox.org or calling United Way at 740.397.5721

United Way office also recently welcomed a new face. Emma has joined United Way for the school year as an After School Program Intern.  Emma is a student at Kenyon College and will spend the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semester crafting a data collection plan to measure the impact of the United Way After School Programs. This project will serve as both a valuable measurement tool for United Way and a real-world project for Emma as she transitions out of school and into the workforce after graduation .
Free Tax Preparation Assistance Program

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 using a 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.

Call our office at 740.397.5721 to find out if you qualify.
Career Navigator

United Way is excited to announce involvement in a pilot project to introduce a Career Navigator to local public high schools.

The project comes as a result of partnership with The Knox County Foundation, Education Service Center,  and Area Development Foundation. The Career Navigator will engage Knox County's future workforce in a variety of community-based experiences and expand their awareness of local career and education options. This support may encourage traditional high school students to consider local careers in Healthcare and Manufacturing.
Eagles' Nest After School Tutoring & Enrichment
Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5 pm at East Elementary School.

Tiger Pride Club After School Tutoring & Enrichment 
Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5 pm at Dan Emmett Elementary School

Bulldog Pound After School Tutoring & Enrichment
Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5 pm at East Knox Elementary School.

Free Tax Preparation Assistance Program at United Way of Knox County, 
Program begins January 2020, Volunteer recruitment and training begin now!

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 ringers
740.392.8721

YMCA of Mount Vernon
is seeking volunteers to support their child watch services. 
Stop by the YMCA's front desk to fill out an application.

Interchurch Social Services Knox County Locations
Opportunities vary
740.397.4825

SPI Science and Play Space 
utilize volunteers 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.