The BEACON Feb. 2020

February 2020 THE BEACON Page 5A
United Way- Community Driven
Karen Snyder and Jill
Ruther of United Way at
The Lawrenceburg Christmas
Parade. (Photo courtesy
of United Way)
Continued from page 4A
ber of Commerce sponsors
a program called Leadership
Dearborn, which includes a
series of classes and field trips
designed to prepare citizens
to take on voluntary leadership
positions with nonprofit
organizations and civic groups
within the community. The
program helps people understand
the challenges in their
particular area and aids them
in developing skills to help
resolve the issues. Born out of
the Leadership Dearborn class
is the Second Chance program
that helps dislocated workers
develop the skills needed to
get back on their feet.
The partner agencies that
United Way of Southeast
Indiana works with is impressive.
United Way works with
a lot of schools to bring in
vision and dental programs
as well as Kindergarten
Jumpstart programs. United
Way is a big believer in early
intervention. The Kindergarten
Jumpstart program helps
children get acquainted and
helps them feel comfortable
with their new school before
the school year begins.
United Way also works with
The Dearborn County Clearinghouse,
which provides
groceries, clothing, rent, and
utilities to those in need.
United Way provides a free
H&R Block tax prep program
for simple e-file taxes. The
program benefits college
students who strive to understand
the process and gain
financial literacy. Last year
approximately eighty people
participated in this service.
United Way holds a community
action day every
April. They coordinate volunteers
to clean up Guilford
Park, which interestingly is
the most used park in Dearborn
County! They spend the
day moving mulch and cleaning
up debris as the park tends
to flood. At another event,
volunteers shared their time
to paint parts of the Dearborn
Trail, which is a four
and a half-mile paved trail
along the Ohio River through
Greendale, Lawrenceburg,
and Aurora. United Way’s
part of the path is the Born
Learning part, which boasts
an interactive set of signs
for children with pictures of
the state bird, the state tree
along with hopscotch and
the ABC’s. The trail engages
them in their surroundings.
Ms. Snyder explains when
they have events, they reach
out to different groups such
as the FCCLA organization
in the high schools and local
businesses to see if they are
interested in participating.
Even though United Way’s
Agency Partners are numerous,
they are always striving
to do more to meet growing
community needs. Homeless
youth is something Ms. Snyder
says is an area that needs
attention. The Youth Encouragement
Services (the YES
Home) is a residential group
home for youth ages twelve to
twenty that provides a structured
and nurturing environment
for children in need.
Still, many of those cases are
court-appointed. United Way
is looking into how they can
assist those youth who are
couch surfing because they
have no permanent residence.
Catch-a-Ride is another service
that fills a great need for
those who rely on others for
their transportation.
United Way works with
all kinds of different groups,
always looking to see where
they can add value. They
bring individuals together
through their work with their
partner agencies as well as
through trainings. They are
always striving to understand
what is missing or needed in
their community. United Way
raises funds through employee
campaigns, individual
donations, and grants. They
are also fortunate to be a part
of Indiana United Way, where
they can secure funds. They
also receive funds through
the Cincinnati campaign.
You can donate directly to
the United Way of Southeast
Indiana by mailing a check
to their PO Box, or you can
donate through the United
Way of Greater Cincinnati
website. You can even specify
that donations through your
company go to Dearborn and
Ohio Counties. If you live in
our area but work outside of
our area, locate the box on
your pledge form that lists the
Dearborn and Ohio County
Impact Fund. If you check
that box, you will ensure that
the money goes right back to
the community in which you
reside.
Ms. Snyder reiterates that,
“Uniting communities changing
lives, it just makes sense.
Our goal is to bring everyone
together, through collaboration
and funding opportunities,
creating lasting change,
and having a measurable
impact.” The pleasure was
all mine when meeting and
spending time with Karen
Snyder and Jill Ruther, as they
are both amazing individuals
who work tirelessly to make
our area better! If you are
interested in getting involved
with the United Way of Southeast
Indiana, please check out
their Facebook page. You can
also stop in their office or call
812-537-2009. You won’t be
disappointed. In fact, I feel
pretty confident you will be
inspired!
JOIN US FOR
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Mr. Roy Johnson (Coach and FFA Advisor), Alex
Newport, Alex Dudley, Rachel Kraus, and Amelia
Hartman.
East Central FFA
Competes at Nationals
The state winning EC FFA Nursery/Landscape CDE (Career
Development Event) team competed in the 2019 National FFA
Nursery/Landscape CDE at the National FFA Convention.
The team consisted of Amelia Hartman, Rachel Kraus, Alex
Dudley, and Alex Newport. At this competitive event, FFA
members test their knowledge and skills in nursery practices
and landscaping. Participants complete an exam testing
horticultural principles including plant anatomy, production,
marketing, turf, landscape design, and maintenance. Each
participant must also complete practicums involving landscape
estimating, plant propagation or potting, identification of plants,
disorders, and equipment. Forty-three states were represented,
and East Central placed in the silver emblem category.
Congratulations to the team for a job well done representing the
state of Indiana and the East Central FFA Chapter.
Smoked Salmon with capers
Bacon
Goetta
Sausage
Scrambled Eggs
Seasoned Potatoes
French Toast
Pancakes
Pasta
Fried Chicken
Baked Chicken
Eggs Benedict
Fresh Fruit
Grilled Asparagus
Assorted Salads
Create your own Omelet
Beef carving station
Chocolate Fountain
Assorted Desserts
$15.95
dearborn@receptionsinc.com
SHOP LOCAL and tell our advertisers you saw them in The BEACON!