United Way
United Way
of Southwest Minnesota
United Way of Southwest Minnesota Launches Art Contest for NEW Program

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota is excited to sponsor an art contest in partnership with Marshall Area Fine Arts Council (MAFAC) in which a design will be selected to represent a new early learning initiative called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. The chosen design will be printed on a canvas library bag that all registered participants will receive, program materials and marketing materials. Please visit www.UnitedWaySWMN.org to find all the details regarding the art contest or call (507) 929-2273. Contest is open to ALL residents (no age restrictions) in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Redwood and Yellow Medicine Counties. Artwork submissions are due Monday October 21, 2013 by 5:00 pm at the United Way of Southwest Minnesota's office.

 

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota in partnership with area libraries in Lincoln, Lyon, western Redwood and Yellow Medicine Counties is nearly finished planning a new early literacy initiative called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. The program is anticipated to begin in December 2013. (No registrations are being taken at this time. Please do not contact your library about registering at this time.)

 

This program encourages parents to read aloud at least 1000 books with their children before they enter Kindergarten. The program, open to children  in Lyon, Lincoln, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties (visiting any of the participating libraries) has an initial goal of reaching 2000 children!

 Success By Six Logo

Program Goals include:

  • Introduce a fun method to encourage families to read aloud to preschoolers
  • Introduce children to a wide range of excellent books to promote pre-literacy so children enter school ready to learn
  • Encourage regular library use by families and enhance our already existing outreach to daycares and preschools

Children, when registered at a participating library, will receive a canvas library bag with artwork on one side and a list of participating libraries on the other side, a reading folder with a reading log and program information. Children will also receive incentive prizes throughout the 1000 book journey and upon completion of the program a graduation party, held twice a year.

 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota and the Marshall Independent Sponsor Essay Contest for 3rd-6th Grade Students throughout Service Area

United Way of Southwest Minnesota and The Marshall Independent have teamed up to sponsor an essay contest to give children a chance to write about what 'Growing Together' as a community means to them.

 

Teachers, parents and community leaders are encouraged to invite children in grades three to six to participate.  Essays for the "Growing Together" contest should be original, be inspirational and have good grammar. One entry allowed per child.

 

Prizes will be awarded to the top two winning essayists in each grade level and their stories will be published in The Marshall Independent.

  

THE DETAILS

 

What:  An essay contest for children in grades three through six.  Submissions are welcome from throughout Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood counties. Schools have been invited to participate, but you may enter on your own if your class is not participating or if you are home schooled.

Theme:  The essays should be no more than 150 words long and focus on what Growing Together, as a community means to you.  Essays should be original with good grammar and should be inspirational.

Deadline:  Essays must be received at the United Way of Southwest Minnesota office by Monday, November 4, 2013.

Please visit www.UnitedWaySWMN.org for full details, rules, prizes, etc.
Fall 2013 DINE OUT for United Way Menu

Enjoy GREAT food at a variety of DINE OUT for United Way events and restaurants throughout our five county service area. Visit our website at www.UnitedWaySWMN.org  for the complete DINE OUT menu, list of participating businesses and promotions. YUM! 
Share your DINE OUT photos with us! Email them to us at [email protected].  
Volunteers Needed to Assist with Business Blitz

We're gearing up for the Business Blitz & we're asking for your help! Business Blitz Week has been scheduled for October 9th-16th.

 

The purpose is to visit past business givers to collect pledges for this year's United Way campaign. There may also be an opportunity to cultivate new business donors during these visits. How awesome is that?! 

 

Past givers will have already received their letter. Volunteers will be equipped with all the information needed to be successful! Each volunteer is asked to call on approximately 6-9 businesses during that week to donate to the annual fund-raising campaign of United Way of Southwest Minnesota. However, the more volunteers we have the number could be less. Many hands make light work. 

 

If YOU can assist, please contact our office by OCTOBER 4th to confirm.

 

United Way of Southwest Minnesota telephone:  507-929-2273

Address:  109 S 5th Street, Suite 300, Marshall

Webpage:  www.unitedwayswmn.org

 

We hope you will participate!

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