By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The 2016 United Way of Ellis County campaign began August 27 with its first-ever Community Kick-off at Aubel-Bickle Park with the theme “Heroes for Change” to honor local hometown heroes.
The fundraising goal is $450,000. This year’s campaign chair is Mike Morley, Midwest Energy Manager of Corporate Communications.
Eagle Communications, a UWEC Pace-Setter company, kicked off its internal fundraising campaign with an employee lunch Thursday in the Eagle Media Center. Eagle employees Kara Denton, Financial Controller, Broadband division, and Todd Haskell, KKQY Radio Program Director, are UWEC Board Members.
Travis Kohlrus, Eagle Broadband Manager, is a longtime volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County. “By giving to United Way, your money is going to diverse organizations dedicated to improving our community and making a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors,” Kohlrus said.
“We hold the agencies accountable for the money they are given for various projects,” Denton told the Eagle employees.
Eagle Communications matches the donations made by its employees, doubling the funds raised for the United Way.
Eagle Communications also donates production of the campaign video shown each year to prospective donors.
There are 15 partner agencies with the United Way of Ellis County:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County
- Cancer Council of Ellis County
- CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates)
- American Red Cross (Western Kan. Chapter)
- Catholic Charities
- DSNWK (Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas)
- First Call For Help
- Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Sunflower Region
- HACC (Hays Area Children’s Center)
- Kansas Legal Services
- Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
- PACT (Parents And Teachers Together)
- Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency and the Regional Prevention Center
- United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas
- WKACD (Western Kansas Association on Concerns of the Disabled)
To give to the United Way of Ellis County, mail donations or stop by the offices at 205 E. 7th Street, Suite 106, Hays.
Donations can also be processed through the “Donate” button at the United Way of Ellis County website www.liveunited.us.
