SEYMOUR, Ind. — The Jackson County United Way will kick off the 2016-17 campaign August 31 at the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce. The theme this year is Growing Together: From Roots to Results.
The campaign will be led by JCB vice president, Mary Ellen Jaynes, and Rick and Jennifer Meyer will serve as vice-chairs. The goal this year is a five percent increase from last year, or $810,000. The Jackson County United Way campaign focuses on the health, education and financial stability of all residents. We can’t do this alone, this work is challenging, all encompassing, and woven together. We need collective impact where all organizations and individuals are working to create a stronger community,” said Campaign Chair Mary Ellen Jaynes.
“Since March, we’ve shifted our traditional way of doing business. We’ve been listening and learning from residents of all walks of life throughout the county in order to ‘turn outward’ in our decision making processes. Through nearly 30 conversations, we’ve learned a lot about what our community hopes for, is concerned about, and what action steps they’d like to see happen,” said JCUW Executive Director Tonja Couch. She continued, “As we work to understand more about the community findings, the JCUW Board is now developing a plan on what to do with the information we’ve learned.”
During tax season the organization provided free basic tax preparation for bout 235 people earning less than $50,000 annually. In the past six years, the program has generated more than $1.3 million and saved thousands in rapid refund loans for residents. In May, during the Day of Caring, the organization completed 160 projects with more than 1,000 volunteers, a 75 percent increase in volunteers from the previous year. The Rock’n Ready school supply drive served nearly 700 Jackson County students.
Partners that support the organization are American Red Cross, Anchor House, The Arc of Jackson County, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast IN, Boys & Girls Club, Brownstown Senior Citizens, Child Care Network, Inc., Crothersville Senior Citizen Center, Freetown Senior Citizens, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Girls Inc. of Jackson County, Hoosier Trails Council, B.S.A., Human Services/Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Medora Senior Citizens, Mental Health America of Jackson County, Read Jackson County / Plaza Latina, Salvation Army Indiana Division, Seymour Seniors 107, and Turning Point.
For more information about how you can help, please call 812-522-5450.