The annual United Way of Southwest Minnesota fund-raising campaign has officially closed.  $516,035 was committed by people and businesses in this area which is a $7,600 increase over the previous year.  These resources will go to work to advance the common good of people living in this area.  These funds will be invested into local programs and services focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life and successful communities.

Donna Swenson, United Way board member and chair of the resource development committee said, “I am very grateful to all the donors including individuals, small businesses, corporations, and the many employees within workplaces who believe in the mission of the United Way of Southwest Minnesota. Our mission is ‘to improve lives in Southwest Minnesota by mobilizing the caring power of our communities’. With the highest integrity, we will put to use the dollars raised to accomplish this mission.”

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota board of directors is currently reviewing their grant making process to make certain that the funds will be targeted to make the greatest impact in people’s lives.  Grant applications for Community Impact grants will be available March 1.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an autonomous, local organization working to create lasting changes in people’s lives and the communities of Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $ 505,067 in donations and pledges has been recorded to date during the 2011-12 annual fund-raising campaign.  Less than $10,000 is still needed to reach the goal.  Donations can be sent to United Way of Southwest Minnesota, P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258.

All funds raised during the annual campaign which will continue through the month of January will be used to support local programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people's health and well-being. 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an autonomous, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota and the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce asks area businesses and other organizations to identify desktop and laptop computers that they have or will soon be retiring from service and are ready to recycle.    The purpose will be to distribute 75-100 free computers to area low-income families and individuals who would benefit from personal computer ownership.   Donations of workable monitors, keyboards and mice are also needed.

Saint Paul, MN nonprofit organization PCs for People has selected the Marshall Area to be among ten Greater Minnesota communities to take part in a mobile refurbishing project funded by the Blandin Foundation and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The project seeks to reduce electronic waste while simultaneously helping bridge the digital divide in Greater Minnesota.

PCs for People will work with area businesses and other organizations to identify the equipment needed (Pentium 4 processors or equivalent or newer).  The organization's mobile refurbishing team will travel to Marshall within a few weeks after identifying the computers to refurbish the computers including securely wiping all data, making any necessary repairs and upgrades, and installing a new authentic installation of Microsoft Windows XP or 7.  The computer will then be loaded with free software including educational games, OpenOffice, and security and antivirus software.

Community organizations will be asked to help identify low-income families and individuals to receive the donated computers. 

PCs for People is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation headquartered in St. Paul. MN.  Since PCs for People started in 1999, the organization has distributed thousands of computers to those in need.  PCs for People is a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher and a member of the Recycling Association of Minnesota and the National Association for Information Destruction.

Business looking to participate in the program and donate their equipment should contact Michael Graif at mgraif@pcsforpeople.com  or by calling (651) 243-0093.  For more information about PCs for People, go to their website at http://www.pcsforpeople.org. 

Click here or a copy of a FAQ on the computer project.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $ 490,046 in donations and pledges has been recorded to date during the 2011-12 annual fund-raising campaign.  This is 95.2 % of the campaign goal.  The campaign will continue through the month of January.

All funds raised during the annual campaign will be used to support local programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people’s health and well-being. 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an autonomous, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota

The community's help is still needed!  United Way of Southwest Minnesota is still working to raise enough contributions to make a difference in people's lives right here in Southwest Minnesota.  We need to make sure there are adequate resources to help carry out local work and additional contributions will help make that possible.  The annual campaign is currently at 95% of its goal of raising $515,000 for local programs and services.  The campaign will close January 31.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota has a fifty year proven record of making a difference for people in this area.  Begun by local community leaders in 1962 as a community chest, local volunteers have annually worked to address critical community needs.  In just the past ten years, $ 4 million has been raised and put to work - right here where we live.

When you give a donation to United Way of Southwest Minnesota you will touch the lives of thousands of local people in a positive way. You will help prepare a child for the future.  You will help strengthen the financial stability of families.  You will be there when a family needs immediate shelter after a fire or disaster.  You will support a person fleeing domestic abuse.  You will provide support for a frail low-income elderly person who is afraid of losing independence.   You will be there to help a family cope with the loss of a loved one.

Through your donation to United Way of Southwest Minnesota you will be connected to helping your community in all of those ways plus many more because United Way of Southwest Minnesota is comprehensive.   We are a local volunteer based organization that works with many partners to accomplish more than one single agency working alone.  Your donation will stay in this area to work for people in the communities of Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

Learn more about the important work of United Way of Southwest Minnesota at www.unitedwayswmn.org.  Donations can be sent to United Way of Southwest Minnesota, P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258. 

The deadline for the second round of United Way of Southwest Minnesota Venture Grants is January 31, 2012.  Organizations serving this area of southwest Minnesota are eligible to submit grant requests for new activities or programs that support area residents in the areas of education, income or health OR for programs that develop leadership skills, management skills, technical assistance and for training of volunteers.  All grant applications will be reviewed by a team of local volunteers who will make recommendations to the United Way of Southwest Minnesota board of directors.

.  Organizations can download the Venture Grant application from the “Your United Way” section of www.unitedwayswmn.org or contact United Way of Southwest Minnesota at 507-929-2273.  $15,000 was targeted for use by area non-profit organizations to better serve area residents during the 2011-12. This past fall United Way venture grants were awarded to Literacy Volunteers of Southwest Minnesota for marketing materials for the new initiative that will improve adult literacy and to SMOC Head Start to purchase “Second Step” curriculum kits that build social-emotional skills in young children.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an autonomous, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $469,300 in donations and pledges has been recorded to date during the 2011-12 annual fund-raising campaign.  This is 91.1% of the campaign goal.  The campaign will run through the month of January.

All funds raised during the annual campaign will be used to support local programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people’s health and well-being. 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an autonomous, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $417,604 in donations and pledges has been recorded to date during the 2011-12 annual fund-raising campaign.  This is 81% of the campaign goal.

All funds raised during the annual campaign will be used in the coming year to support local community programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people’s health and well-being. 

Donors wishing to make a year-end, tax-deductible donation can mail it to United Way of Southwest Minnesota, P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258.  There is a secure donation link available at www.unitedwayswmn.org (use the GIVE button).

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an independent, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $231,546 in donations and pledges has been recorded to date during the 2011-12 annual fund-raising campaign.  This is 45% of the campaign goal.

All funds raised during the annual campaign will be used in the coming year to support local community programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people’s health and well-being. 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an independent, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

Searching for just the right gift? You can give the gift of telling stories at holiday time to teach your child about language and family.

Holiday time is a great time to tell family stories.  It is a good way to communicate with your children and a good way to develop literacy skills.  Studies of early readers show they come from homes where oral language is used in a variety of ways.

Family stories are great because you can tell them anywhere and anytime - no batteries or books required.  Tell them about "When mommy was a girl...," "Grandma's favorite Christmas cookie is....," "Daddy's best Christmas present ever was ....."  

Children love to hear family stories.  As they listen, they learn.  Every time you tell "about the time when," your child gains a greater understanding of you, her history and culture.  As your child gets older, she can participate, too.  Encourage your child to retell family stories with you.  Ask her questions that she can answer and talk about memories you both share, such as "Remember when we helped grandma bake a cake?"

The reality is that hearing family stories helps a child learn about language, his family and himself while also building listening skills and a love of storytelling.  When he gets old enough to watch reality T.V., perhaps he'll choose to tell his own story instead.

More information about storytelling at this website:  http://www.storyarts.org/classroom/roots/family.html    Also, go to www.bornlearning.org for more tips on using everyday moments as teaching moments. 

Alternative Gift Card:  Consider a donation for a charitable purpose as a gift for someone who has ‘everything' this year.  Contact the United Way of Southwest Minnesota office about a gift certificate, 507-929-2273 or P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258.  Here are some examples:

      $10 will underwrite the school supplies, book and dry erase board that are included in one Wild About Kindergarten Bag (presented to EVERY child attending Kindergarten Round-ups at all schools in this area each Spring).   FYI - 750 of these bags are distributed each year.

      $30 will allow one young child to build a love of reading for an entire year (12 wonderful, age appropriate books).  FYI - nearly 2,400 children in this area will receive a gift of a book in the mail each month during the coming year.

      A donation of any amount will help advance the common good - education, income and health - for people who live in this area.  FYI - Annually, 35 - 40 agencies partner with United Way to make a real difference in people's lives in many important ways.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an independent, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $196,603 in donations and pledges has been recorded to date during the 2011-12 annual fund-raising campaign.  This is 38% of the campaign goal.

All funds raised during the annual campaign will be used to support local community programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people's health and well-being. 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an independent, local organization working to create lasting changes in people's lives and the communities in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota

Many school children volunteer, gathering canned goods for a food shelf, raking leaves for a senior citizen, or reading with younger students.  Many students volunteer through class projects, church groups or youth organizations such as scouting or 4-H.

These students make a difference in their communities and earlier this fall they were invited to tell about it in an essay contest that was sponsored by United Way of Southwest Minnesota and the Marshall Independent.

Prizes were awarded to eight winning essayists representing grade levels 3, 4, 5 and 6. The winning essays will be published in the Marshall Independent on December 3, 2011.  Winners are:  Keygan Buysse, Holy Redeemer School; Sarah Werner, Samuel Lutheran School; Sean Dilley, Minneota Public School; Tucker Groenhoff, Canby Elementary School; Ashtyn Eben, Marshall Middle School; Amanda Biastock, Samuel Lutheran School; Joel Zabel, Marshall Middle School; and Evan Swanson, RTR Middle School.  CLICK HERE to read the winning essays!

In addition to a United Way t-shirt and certificate, each winner was presented a $100 savings bond sponsored by a local financial institution.  These awards were underwritten by Wells Fargo Bank, Bremer Bank, First Independent Bank and MinnWest Bank.

Independent judges for the essay contest were Gail Dammen, Ben Schamber, Carole Martin and John Allen.

Applebee's "Dining To Donate" event will benefit United Way of Southwest Minnesota on Thursday, December 1 (4 - 9 PM).  Marshall Applebee's will donate 15% of each diner's check to the organization when a special coupon is presented to the server at the time food orders are placed.  Coupons can be found and printed off at the United Way of Southwest Minnesota webpage:  www.unitedwayswmn.org

The funds will be used to support local programs and services in this area that help children and youth achieve their full potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve people's health and well-being. 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota has prepared a Holiday Wish List that is offered for consideration as an alternative for holiday gifting and greeting.  The Holiday Wish List includes items that can be given as gifts to people who are served by a number of community partner organizations.  The list also includes supplies or items that can help area non-profit agencies do a better job of serving people who live in this area.

Interested individuals or groups can simply choose one or more ideas and make contact directly with the listed organization.  Examples of items that are requested for individuals are school supplies, food items, gas cards, games, puzzles,  personal care items, clothing, etc.  Items that are requested for agencies are office supplies, cleaning supplies, batteries of various sizes, flash drives for computers, etc.

The Holiday Wish List is available by clicking here!   A copy of the Holiday Wish List can be requested by contacting the United Way of Southwest Minnesota at 507-929-2273.

In this season of thanksgiving, we thank you for your year-round commitment and support. Together, we're advancing the common good and positively influencing the condition of all who live in this area. We wish you a warm and happy Thanksgiving.

There is much to be thankful for in this area even in the current time of uncertainty and challenge.  I have the privilege to see donations to United Way of Southwest Minnesota at work on a routine basis.  Now more than ever your gift is making a difference in real people's lives, right here in Southwest Minnesota.  Here are just a few examples:

There are more than 2,400 children in this area (ages birth - 5 years of age) who gain amazing school readiness skills each time an adult in their life takes 15 - 20 minutes to read them one of the interesting, age appropriate Imagination Library books that they receive in the mail each month. 

750 Kindergarten children were able to practice their school readiness skills over the summer with ‘Wild About Kindergarten' bags that were given to everyone who attended Kindergarten Round-ups in 22 schools in this area last spring.

More than 600 students were able to start school with fresh new school supplies this fall because of a great response to the Stuff the Bus school supply drive. 

Boys and girls are learn leadership skills and benefit from mentoring relationships through quality youth programming sponsored by Peer Helpers, Youth as Resources, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Big Buddies, The Connection, Red Cross and many other community youth programs.

Students in numerous classrooms will gain financial skills through the Junior Achievement program this year.  Financial information and resources for all of us are a ‘click away' through sources like www.marshallmoney.org and by calling United Way 2-1-1 (cell phones, 800-543-7709).

A growing number of hungry families with children are able to get food, connected to community resources and learn how to build greater financial stability.

Youth, families and individuals are helped to adjust to loss and difficult situations.

Individuals and families who want to give their time and get involved can get connected with agencies that need and appreciate volunteers through the Volunteer Connection which can be found  by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button on our webpage: www.unitedwayswmn.org 

All of this and much, much more is possible because people in this community care enough to join together and give to our local United Way.  Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own.  Learn more at our webpage or call our office, (507) 929-2273.

Have a safe and happy holiday season,

Ruth Ascher

Executive Director

United Way of Southwest Minnesota