The traditional season of giving is fast approaching, but a valuable partnership between Â鶹ÊÓƵ and the United Way is already underway. There is no denying that the past 20 months have been unlike anything we have seen before, with COVID-19 and the Delta variant posing unprecedented threats to people everywhere.
Closer to home, spikes for services in our community have reached a breaking point, and the needs for food, shelter, individual and family services have increased 10-fold.
As the largest employer in Portage County, Â鶹ÊÓƵ is asking everyone to reflect on the community's needs and where we spend most of our waking hours. The United Way of Portage County funds a remarkable 42 programs, contributing positively to continue to make our community strong, resilient, and full of resources for those in need.
Education is just one of three pillars that are truly essential to us at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, in addition to health and financial stability. Community partners include:
- One-on-One Mentoring at F&CS Big Brothers, Big Sisters One
- Youth Program at F&CS King Kennedy Community Center
- Youth Program at F&CS Skeels Mathews Community Center
- Junior Achievement at Inspiring Portage County
In addition, the United Way has their own educational programming that includes Literary Kits, Reading Role Model, Big Red Bookshelf, Born Learning Train, school supply drives, as well as grants for school programming, Girls on the Run, and playgrounds.
When you donate to United Way, you enable the incredible programming to continue, as well as providing local folks access to essentials, education, financial stability, and health care.
The United Way of Portage County, with its staff of 5, can do its work only by the hundreds of volunteers.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ employees and students are critical to the success of the programs of the United Way and of the community partners they fund. Hundreds of hours go into the production of the videos from Teleproductions, the creation of Literacy kits for close to 1400 children last year alone, our interns, board and committee members, volunteers, and Days of Service. For more information on these initiatives, visit the for more details. View the to understand the impact of United Way funding.
Please, take a few moments to from your co-worker, Jessica Vargo. Then, commit to making a difference. If you are renewing your pledge, thank you so much. But, if you have never given before, start with as simple as $2 per pay.
To pledge online:
- Log into FlashLine
- Select University Resources
- Select Giving Back
- Select United Way
- Follow the prompts
Or download and complete a United Way pledge form and return it to your department's campaign lead.
Your generosity makes a significant difference to those in need, and by doing so, you are also strengthening the community in the process.
To learn more about the partnership between Â鶹ÊÓƵ and United Way, and for detailed instructions and a paper pledge, visit www.kent.edu/unitedway.
Thank you for caring!