Friday, XN. .'. .il ...i 6, 2009 www.greenepublishing.com UnitcO ma Madison Enterprise-Recorder 9A The Money Stays In Madison County American Red Cross $2,500 Big Bend Cares $2,000 Big Bend Hospice $5,040 Boy Scouts of America - $1,100 Boys & Girls Club of Tabula Rasa $6,802.31 Brehon Institute For Family Services $13,000 Consolidated Christian Min- istries $12,000 Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend $10,000 Elder Care Services $1,500 Fellowship of Christian Ath- letes $3,000 Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle $1,500 Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend $2,000 Madison County Senior Citi- zens Center $28,000 Office of the Public Guardian - $392 By Michael Curtis Greene Publishing, Inc. All of the money raised during the Madison County United Way Campaign which this year is ti- tled, "Live United" stays in Madi- son County All those who have served on the allocation committee through the years the group that determines how much will go to whom agree that it's an awesome responsibility because each recipi- ent typically has a valid request for well more than is available. The bottom line is campaign organiz- ers search for the best local use of every dollar, The Madison County organi- zations that received funding from the 2008-09 campaign are as fol- lows: 2-1-1 Big Bend $500 Ability 1st $750 HOW TO LIVE UNITED: JOIN HANDS. OPEN YOUR HEART. LEND YOUR MUSCLE. FIND YOUR VOICE. GIVE 10%. GIVE 100%. GIVE 110%. GIVE AN HOUR. GIVE A SATURDAY. THINK OF WE BEFORE ME. REACH OUT A HAND TO ONE AND INFLUENCE THE CONDITION OF ALL. Refuge House $15,180 Sickle Cell Foundation - $3,500 This year, organizers remain hopeful that giving will remain ahead of last year, suggesting that more people give an affordable weekly donation through employ- er payroll plans where available. The point is simple, periodic dona- tions of $2-10 per week will go un- noticed, and yet add up very handsome annual donations. For more information on how to become an employer sponsor or to make a donation, contact Willy Gamalero at (850) 973-2400 or Mary Carol Kaney at (850) 488-8207, who joins community volunteers in re- minding everyone to "Live Unit- ed." Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com. MCCB Reaches Full Employee Participation For United Way Campaign Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Michael Curtis, November 3, 2009 Madison County United Way Campaign Chair Willy Gamalero (left) and United Way Rep. Mary Carol Kaney (right) were amazed at the level of employee participation at Madison County Community Bank 100 percent! Joyce Bethea and Marcia Webb, center left and right, were also pleased to receive the incentive prizes. Each received overnight vacations at two popular bed and breakfast inns in Georgia. By Michael Curtis Greene Publishing, Inc. Leading by example, the leadership of Madison County Community Bank, along with their staff, has achieved a unique and impressive milestone in the Madison County United Way Campaign: 100 percent participation. Utilizing an affordable payroll deduc- tion, the bank averaged a whopping $305 per employee on an annual basis. Willy Gamalero, the local campaign chair, and Mary Carol Kaney, United Way representative for the county, were extremely pleased to hear the news dur- ing a recent organizer's lunch. Executives Ed Meggs and Howard Phillips, both longstanding supporters of the program, were grateful and pleased with the re- sults. In an effort to add a little incentive to participation, all who pledged a donation received entry into two prize drawings, each for a two-day stay at popular bed and breakfasts in Georgia. The first lucky winner, Joyce Bethea, won a trip for two to Lil' Bears B&B located in Mineral Bluff, Ga. The other winner was Marcia Webb, who received a stay at the Shalom B&B in Tifton, Ga. Both were appreciative and pleased to help the local agencies served by the United Way campaign. Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com. United Way Spotlight: Madison County Senior Center About The Senior Center Senior Citizens Council of Madison County, Inc., is a private non-profit organization that focuses on quality of care for the elderly population while deliv- ering preventative services that will sustain their dig- nity, health, well-being and allowing them to make choices in service deliver, that will help them remain in their home. The Senior Center is able to accomplish its mis- sion with the allocation of federal, state, United Way and local funds. We Make A Difference The Senior Center offers a wide range of pro- grams, services and activities for older adults. All older adults are encouraged to participate in the va- riety of services and activities, which includes: exer- cise, crafts, arts, nutrition, socialization, health and wellness, which promote healthy lifestyles. Meals are prepared on site, which allows older adults to eat a freshly prepared well-balanced meal. Menus are ap- proved and analyzed by a Registered Licensed Dietit- ian prior to preparation. The Origins of the Senior Center In 1971, residents of Madison County were con- cerned about unmet needs of elderly persons in Madison County They had a dream of organizing a Senior Center that would meet the needs of the el- derly and enable them to live a more productive life. This dream of a center would give the elderly a chance to interact and socialize with other seniors. Eventually their dream became a reality A New Senior Center Building Is Coming The present location does not have sufficient space to meet the needs of the elderly population due to an increase in population growth and needs of the elderly. The present site is 4,634 square feet. The Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Executive Director are pleased to announce that construction is underway on a new 10,000 square foot facility located on Harvey Greene Drive that will sufficiently meet the needs of the elderly population. However, this makes operational funds more important than ever. The organization is seeking donations for this project and others serving Madison County Seniors who can't afford them otherwise. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Rosa Richard- son, Executive Director at 850-973-4241 or 850-973-2006. So again, why contribute through United Way? Nowhere can you find more ways to touch others and build a strong, caring community than through United Way. You may choose to give money, help iden- tify our community's priority need areas, or volun- teer your time to mentor a young adult or ease an elderly person's loneliness the possibilities are limitless. Get Together, Get Focused, Get Results United Way's unique ability to bring people, re- sources and needs together means you'll always be able to contribute in the way that is most fulfilling to you. By helping, you and your neighbors pool your in- terests and resources ("Get together"), then focus on the best ways to address our community's most press- ing needs ("Get focused"), United Way helps you change and save lives ("Get results") through local human service programs that are right here for all of us, in good times and bad. That's "the United Way" That's our United Way. Local United Way is a local agency, not a chapter of a national organization. Your donation helps people right here! Trustworthy Your donation is safe with United Way For many decades, we've listened to you to learn how you want your donation spent. Our financial policies are care- fully reviewed and audited by an independent, certi- fied accounting firm and community volunteers. Value 100 cents of every dollar you contribute goes di- rectly to Madison County services, meaning your dol- lars reach people you want to help. Focus and Impact United Way enables you to increase the power of your gift by focusing funds and resources on our com- munity's most pressing areas of need. Through your support, United Way agencies are available to help citizens of the Big Bend 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Quality United Way Certified Agencies must adhere to sound fiscal policies and meet strict standards of ser- vice. Trained community volunteers who represent you oversee distribution of money to local agencies. For more information on how to become an em- ployer sponsor or to make a donation, contact Willy Gamalero at (850) 973-2400 or Mary Carol Kaney at (850) 488-8207, who joins community volunteers in re- minding everyone to "Live United." LIVE UNITED * /I *