Decatur County United Fund Welcomes You!
United Fund in partnership with GECOM
Awards $10,000 in Community Gift Grants
Decatur County United Fund Executive Director, Joane Cunningham (L), along with GECOM Corporation Human Resource Manager (center), Amy Bray, presents checks to Advocates for Children representative, Rick Scalf, Carousel Play and Learn Center Executive Director Stacy Allgeier, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Executive Director, Bev Karazsia, and Girl Scout Membership Development Manager Sarah Crain.
The Decatur County United Fund and GECOM Corporation are pleased to announce the recipients of the $10,000 awarded recently. At the February Board Meeting, the United Fund Board of Directors approved the Community Gift Grant Advisory Committee recommendations to distribute these funds. This process started in late October of 2012, when GECOM Corporation celebrated their 25th Anniversary of operations in Greensburg. As part of that celebration, GECOM Corporation selected Decatur County United Fund to be good stewards of the funds. Decatur County United Fund currently supports 21 non-profit 501(c) 3 organizations. The Community Gift Grant application was made available to these 21 non-profits. Per the United Fund’s Board request, a representative from GECOM Corporation was instrumental in the grant review process and participated on the advisory committee along with three board members.
With these valuable funds, the agencies are able to address many community needs. The following agencies received funding from the community gift grant:
Advocates for Children were awarded $3,000. Advocates for Children will utilize the $3,000 for recruitment of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers. These funds will enable them to implement radio ads seeking CASA volunteers and to display a billboard in Decatur County. The goal of this funding is that an additional 15 CASA volunteers will be activated in the county to serve the additional children remaining on the waiting list.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters was awarded $2,000. The $2,000 will provide: child abuse prevention and awareness materials for all youth, mentors, and parents; new educational training materials covering nutrition, fitness, and homework help; youth special needs such as coats, book bags, and school supplies; Summer pool passes for over 300 youth; and scholarships for youth to athletic, church, and respect for law camps.
Carousel Play and Learn Center was awarded $3,950. The $3,950 will provide: curriculum, lesson plans, materials and software updates for the Discovery Kids Puterbugs program; 4 laptop computers; and staff member salary to oversee the program. The United Fund Board and Advisory Grant Committee also noted that over $5,000 in funding was already secured by Carousel from other sources for this initiative.
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana was awarded $1,050. The $1,050 will provide the following: Girl Scouts, in partnership with 4H/Purdue Extension, Boy Scouts, and the YMCA, will be hosting an alternative spring break. The focus of this week long camp will be on learning an integrated approach to healthy living. Each day will focus on nutrition, fitness, stress management, and emotional health. The United Fund Board and Advisory Grant Committee also noted that $700 in funding was already committed by Girl Scouts for this initiative. For additional information about the spring break day camp, contact Sarah Crain at 855.GSCIN4U (855.472.4648).
Doing Good: United Fund Gives Back
L-R United Fund Board Members Joe Moorman (Sec./Treas), Linda Weigel (1st Vice), Doug Bohman (Pres.), Executive Director-Joane Cunningham, Hospital CEO-Linda Simmons, Jae Riedeman (Lifeline Representative), and David Fry, Hospital Foundation Director.
The mission at the Decatur County United Fund is “mobilizing the power of our community to develop and maintain resources that meet human needs”. That mission allows the United Fund to impact the community in many ways. Dollars are invested in a wide range of programs and services that benefit the elderly, children, families and needy individuals.
Throughout the year, the United Fund collaborates with organizations that impact the community in similar aspects. Those collaborations sometimes bring opportunity to the United Fund. The United Fund is pleased to announce that $10,173 will be given to the Hospital Foundation’s “Reach” Capital Campaign for a Speech Therapy Room. This donation is made possible due to events in 2011 when Decatur County Lifeline Systems, an agency funded by United Fund, dissolved its operations held within the Hospital emergency room. Jae Riedeman, Program Manager/President of Decatur County Lifeline Systems, shared, “We appreciate the support from the community and United Fund that helped us maintain the program for nearly 25 years.”
Cunningham shared, “The area of speech therapy was selected because it incorporates health and education. We are very excited about the opportunity to impact people’s lives. It just fits our mission 100%. Many children and even some adults struggle with one of the most basic abilities humans have - speech. Communication is important in everyone's lives and being disadvantaged in this area can be both frustrating and emotionally painful. By focusing on a few areas and engaging in daily activities you can see improvement in yourself or your child.”
| GECOM Corporation is the 2012 Decatur County United Fund Company of the Year. Amy Bray and Philip Desiere of GECOM Corporation accept their award from Executive Director, Joane Cunningham. GECOM has long been a supporter, both corporately and employee-based, of the United Fund. GECOM remains dedicated to good corporate citizenship and helping to improve the quality of life in Greensburg. |
| Six Companies were recognized recently at the 56th Annual Meeting held on January 22, 2013. These companies increased employee giving by 10% over last year. Companies include: L-R Chris Bower of MainSource Bank, Alicia Banner of Valeo Engine Cooling, Tom Hunter of Greensburg Community Schools, Jennifer Andrick of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, Luisa Gaudreau of Fifth Third Bank, and David Fry of the Decatur County Memorial Hospital. |
Decatur County United Fund supports programs of 21 local agencies that help OUR neighbors, friends and co-workers. When you give to United Fund, you're helping meet the needs of people in our community. From early childhood education to youth development and senior services, United Fund is the best investment you can make in the strength and health of our community.
In addition to the 21 agencies supported, the 2013 initiative work includes:
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Upcoming Events:
Decatur County Family YMCA has a Celebrity Golf Outing planned for May 15, 2013 at the Greensburg Golf Course. Contact the YMCA at 663-9622 for more information.
Decatur County Family YMCA Summer Day Camp for ages 6 - 12 years of age is planned for June 3 - August 2, 2013. Monday - Friday from 7 am - 6 pm. Register today for Day Camp at the YMCA at DecaturCountyFamilyYMCA.org or by calling 663-9962 for more information.
United Fund Annual Strawberry Festival is planned for June 7, 2013 on the Southside of the Courthouse Square from 11 am - 2:30 pm. Cost is $4.00 per serving. Delivery available on orders of 10 or more - by calling 663-3342 two weeks prior to the event.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Decatur County is planning a 5K for July 13, 2013. Contact BB/BS at 663-7556 for more detail.
Decatur County 4 Kids-Prevent Child Abuse Council "Happy Kids Conference" is scheduled for October 26, 2013 from 8:30 - 3:30 pm in Greensburg. For more information call 662-4212.
The Decatur County United Fund has a strong commitment to our community and the agencies we serve.
Our priority is to fund areas of:
| The United Fund supports a wide range of programs and services that make it possible to feed the hungry, develop youth, help the elderly & disabled remain independent. It also helps support those in the community who have been victims of domestic violence. Your contributions help provide the best possible services |
GIVE to the United Fund. Here Is How.....
DONATE Button on this home page: Convenient and easy. Just follow the simple instructions.
Mail check to: Decatur County United Fund, 108 S Broadway Suite 1, Greensburg, IN 47240
Payroll Deduction is donated through your workplace
Memorials - Donors designate a gift to the Decatur County United Fund in honor of or in memory of a friend, colleague or loved one by mailing a check to United Fund at 108 S Broadway, Suite 1, Greensburg, IN 47240