Residents may have noticed white balloons flying overhead around 1pm near downtown Hays. Though you might not have been able to read it, each balloon had something special written on it.

The United Way of Ellis County hosted their Campaign Kick-Off in conjunction with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon.

Josh Dreher, Vice President of Bank of Hays and 2013 United Way Campaign Chair, presented a video and spoke about the importance of the United Way.

To illustrate “rising up to the challenge” of raising money this year, each person in attendance was asked to write his or her own inspiration for helping the United Way on a white balloon. Everyone gathered outside and released the balloons to symbolize the beginning of our community rising to the occasion.