United Way of Jasper County
Give. Advocate.Volunteer |  |
|
Connection Newsletter - Spring 2011
An E-Publication for Friends of the United Way of Jasper County |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The United Way of Jasper County's mission is to provide collaborative leadership to align critical needs with resources to advance the common good in Baxter, Colfax, Galesburg, Ira, Kellogg, Killduff, Lambs Grove, Lynnville, Mingo, Monroe, Newburg, Newton, Prairie City, Reasnor, Sully, and Valeria. |
|
|
2011-2012 United Way Board of Directors
President Dan Goetz, Vice President Toni Peska, Treasurer Corrine Coyle, Secretary Michelle Cazett, Past President Andrea Smith, HR Chairperson Bev Price, Don Black, Jamie Grout, Dan Livengood, Brad Magg, Jeff Maki, Tiare Mathison, Wendy Parker, Gary Parsons, Terri Rock, and Kim Thomas
|
|
|
| |
United Way Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration 2011
 | |
Steve Long from Skiff accepts campaign increase award from UWJC Director Megan Crawford |
The Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration was held on Tuesday, April 19th at the Skiff In-Service Room. Over 50 individuals representing community businesses and organizations, United Way community partner agencies, community impact team members, employee campaign coordinators from local businesses, and current and past United Way board members, were in attendance. Retiring board members Mark Parriott from TPI Composites and community member Kala Shipley were recognized for their outstanding service to the United Way over the past six years.
|
| |
Retiring board member Mark Parriott and UWJC director Megan Crawford |
Three new board members for the 2011-2012 year were introduced: Brad Magg from Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe/Magg Family Catering in Prairie City, Terri Rock from TPI Composites, and Kim Thomas from Monroe City Hall. The 2011-2012 United Way Board Officers were also introduced as follows: Dan Goetz from News Printing Company as President, Toni Peska from Newton Manufacturing as Vice President, Dr. Michelle Cazett from Wal-mart Vision Center as Secretary, Corinne Coyle from Advantage Credit Union as Treasurer, and Andrea Smith as Past President.
Community businesses and organizations with increased workplace campaign pledges were presented with a plaque or plate with their percentage of increased giving for the Fall 2010 campaign. Overall, $298,230 was pledged in the fall 2010 campaign. Community Impact Team conveners Travis Padget, Bryan Friedman, and Regina Sarmento shared what their teams have been working on to make a positive impact in Jasper County around the top critical needs identified in the 2009 county-wide needs assessment, which include substance abuse/mental health, personal finance and economic stability, and positive support for parents.
|
| |
Volunteer of the Year
Eldon Pals & Terri Hayden |
United Way volunteers were recognized for their contributions in campaign fundraising efforts, allocations/community investment review process, community impact team involvement, and Oktoberfest. Eldon Pals was named the Volunteer of the Year for 2010. He volunteers as a driver for the RSVP's Jasper Ride program for over 40 hours a week. RSVP is a United Way community partner agency that receives grant funding for three programs: Jasper County Ride program, HEART elementary literacy, and tax assistance.
 | |
2011-12 Board President
Dan Goetz |
Incoming United Way president Dan Goetz highlighted the goals and plans for the 2011-2012 year. They include: Celebrating 30 years as a United Way, utilizing the new office location on the downtown Newton square to be a more visible and accessible organization, continuing to inform residents about the FamilyWize prescription discount card, having the United Way's first summer intern to help the United Way and Health Community Impact Team develop a county-wide health and human service resource guide, revisiting and updating the organization's strategic plan, diversifying funding sources to continue to meet the needs of Jasper County residents, prioritizing outreach and positive community relations with Jasper County communities outside of Newton, and continuing in the United Way's community impact plan by supporting the three community impact teams and focusing funding priorities on the top critical needs identified in the needs assessment. |
| |
Welcome New United Way Board Members:
Brad Magg, Terri Rock, and Kim Thomas
 | |
New Board Member
Brad Magg |
Brad Magg's entrepreneurial experiences began in third grade when he started selling baked goods in his hometown of Colfax. It was the small town support that grew his hobby into Magg Family Catering at the age of fifteen. While attending the Iowa Culinary Institute at DMACC Brad opened Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City. In 2009, Goldie's was awarded the Best Tenderloin Sandwich in Iowa by the Iowa Pork Producers and ranked the 36th Best Restaurant in Central Iowa by the Des Moines Register. In addition to being on the Colfax City Council, he was a founding board member of Colfax Main Street, Inc., organizes the annual demolition derby in Colfax, and also shares his entrepreneurial experiences with students across the state. As a dedicated business owner, Brad lives in Downtown Colfax. He enjoys jogging, politics, and socializing with friends and other young entrepreneurs. Welcome Brad!
|
| |
New Board Member
Terri Rock |
Terri Rock has lived in Newton since 1973 and graduated from Newton Senior High in 1984. She received degree in Management & Human Resources from Upper Iowa University and has been working in the Human Resources field since age 17. Terri is currently the Human Resources Manager at TPI and has been in her position for the past 3 ½ years. Prior to TPI, she worked for Maytag Corporation in the Human Resources department. Terri's sister, Tammi DeJong, also served on the United Way board. Terri served as the United Way Employee Campaign Coordinator at TPI since 2008 and also served as Secretary of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce board. She attends Community Heights Alliance Church. Terri has a daughter, Bailey, age 13, who attends Berg Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, reading, and traveling. Welcome Terri!
 | |
New Board Member
Kim Thomas |
Kim Thomas been employed with the City of Monroe since 2002. In 2004, she became an Iowa Certified Municipal Clerk and in 2006 an International Certified Municipal Clerk. Kim belongs to the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association, Monroe Women's Auxiliary, Monroe Old Settlers Committee, and the Monroe Kiwanis Club. She married with two children, Mia (17) and Max (10). Kim is currently on the Golden Circle Municipal Finance Officers Association's Board in addition to the United Way. Her family attends the United Methodist Church in Monroe. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children's sporting activities, gardening, golfing, volunteering, and spending time with family. Welcome Kim! |
| |
United Way Invests $231,867 in Jasper County Health & Human Service Programs
Five community investment review teams, consisting of twenty-five community volunteers, representing a cross section of Jasper County residents, have completed the United Way Community Investment/Allocations Process for the 2011-2012 funding cycle. Megan Crawford, UWJC Executive Director coordinated the process this year.
 In December of 2010, 18 Jasper County health and human service agencies applied for 2011-2012 funding to provide direct human services that assist people in one of the United Way of Jasper County's three new community impact areas of Health, Income, and Education; the building blocks for a good quality life. Twenty-four program grant applications were considered for funding. Program proposals were divided into community impact areas and presented to corresponding community investment review teams. The teams, comprised of both United Way Board members and community members, reviewed program proposals, conducted interviews with the program directors, and attended agency site visits to get a first hand look at the day to day operations of the non-profit agencies.
Community investment review teams took their stewardship responsibilities very seriously. They looked closely at the quality of services delivered, not simply at the number of people served, always asking the hard questions, "Are we giving people a hand up or a hand out?" "Are agencies moving people toward self sufficiency or deeper into dependency?" "Are the programs serving all Jasper County residents, not only Newton residents?" Team members also closely scrutinized each agency's financial history. Again they asked the tough questions; "Are the agencies applying for funding operating in a cost efficient manner?" "Are they seeking foundation grants or other sources of funding to compliment United Way allocations?" "Have they themselves grown more self-sufficient or has their dependency on United Way funding grown?"
Recommendations on funding levels were forwarded to the United Way Board of Directors from each team.  On March 3, 2011 the Board met in a work session to further review and discuss each program. On March 15, 2011 the United Way of Jasper County Board of Directors authorized the allocation of $231,867 for 23 health and human service programs that serve residents in Baxter, Colfax, Galesburg, Ira, Kellogg, Killduff, Lambs Grove, Lynnville, Mingo, Monroe, Newburg, Newton, Prairie City, Reasnor, Sully, and Valeria.To read about which health and human service programs and agencies received grants, click here.
|
| |
 United Way New Office Open House
On Thursday, April 7th from 10am-2pm, there was an Open House for Jasper County residents to visit the new United Way office. The new office space is located on the second floor of the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce at 113 1st Ave. West on the South side of the downtown Newton square. It has already proven to traffic into the office and hopefully will increase the United Way's visibility in the community. A BIG thank you goes out to our sponsors for the refreshments: Community Bank, Eye Care Center of Newton, Maytag Dairy Farm, and Lonnie Portner's State Farm. If you missed the open house, please stop by to see our new office.
|
| |
United Way Super Day Fundraiser at Hy-Vee Raises $2,600
Community volunteers, local "celebrities" and five Iowa State football players teamed up with Newton Hy-Vee and the United Way of Jasper County on Saturday for the Super Day Pizza Fundraiser on Saturday, February 5th, 2010.
United Way volunteers made pizzas and bagged groceries in an effort to raise money for United Way of Jasper County. The event raised about $2,600 in additional funding for the campaign and went off without a hitch, according to United Way of Jasper County Executive Director Megan Crawford. All funds raised will support critical health and human service programs, operated by 18 nonprofit agencies in Jasper County as well as United Way led community impact initiatives focusing on the areas of health, income, and education.
"We had a great turnout for the event and were able to sell 333 pizzas through pre-sales and sales that day," Crawford said. "Hy-Vee Manager Mike Winblade was very generous in providing half of all the pizzas proceeds sold for the event as well as a corporate donation. A big thank you goes out to the United Way Board of Directors and community volunteers who pre-sold pizzas as well as KCOB/Energy 106.7 and the Newton Daily News for the wonderful publicity they provided."
Among the volunteers on Saturday were five Iowa State Cyclone football players, Mitch Amundson of Sioux City, Spencer Thornton of Marion, Donnie Jennert of St. Cloud, Florida, Jeremiah George of Clearwater, Florida, and Shontrelle Johnson of DeLand, Florida. State Rep. Dan Kelley, Newton High School Homecoming King Kyle Hoskins, and United Way board members and community members were also on hand at the event to encourage customers to support the United Way. |
| |
Free Prescription Discount Card Has Saved Jasper County Residents over $67,000
Since March 2010, the United Way of Jasper County has been distributing FamilyWize prescription discount cards to Jasper County residents. A tracking system on the United Way's website www.unitedwayofjaspercounty.org shows the amount of savings Jasper County residents accumulate on an ongoing basis. $67,000 has been saved since March.
"We are very proud and pleased at the amount of savings accumulated since the program was launched last year. This demonstrates to us that individuals and families need the discounts on their prescriptions and can now use those savings for other basic needs in their lives, such as food and living expenses," said Megan Crawford, Executive Director of the United Way of Jasper County. "This savings program fits perfectly with the United Way's mission to align critical needs with resources in the areas of health, income, and education. These discounts cards assist Jasper County residents who are struggling financially with their health needs."
FamilyWize cards immediately lower the cost of medicine by an average of 30% or more for medications not covered by insurance. Just by presenting the FamilyWize card at their local pharmacy, Jasper County residents save on the cost of their prescription medicine 80% of the time. These cards can be used by everyone in the community, not just people without insurance. They can even be used by people with health benefits, including Medicaid or Medicare.
The FamilyWize card is easy to use, free, for immediate and unlimited use, no age/income restrictions, and no enrollment or personal information needed.
FamilyWize cards are accepted at the five following Jasper County pharmacies: Hy-Vee, Medicap, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and Weirick and Patterson in Colfax. FamilyWize cards can be picked up locally at the Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Walgreens Pharmacy, Weirick and Patterson Pharmacy, health and human service agencies, churches, physician's offices, and at the United Way of Jasper County. People with internet access can go to www.unitedwayofjaspercounty.org or www.FamilyWize.org to print a card, look up drug prices and find out more information about this free program.
For a list of card pick up locations, to request a card to be sent to you directly or for more information, please call the United Way of Jasper County office at 641-792-1684.
|
| |
Community Impact Team Involvement
New members are always welcome for the community impact teams. If you are interested in getting involved with a community impact team that focuses on health, income, or education, contact the United Way office.
"This is an excellent opportunity for "regular" people to get off the sideline and make a real, positive, lasting difference in our community. I'm the poster child: no affiliation, no leadership role. Just a desire to do something that means something in the long run. This is something that will impact ALL of us."
- Craig Althof, member of FIST, the Financial Impact Stability Team |
|
|
|
|
