SIDNEY — The United Way Women’s Initiative group POWER (Passionate Optimistic Women Encouraging Results) has had a very busy year expanding upon their mission to address the needs of children and their families in our community. Some of the projects that they have been involved with include serving as chaperones at the Shelby County Special Olympics, assisting with Family Nights at Longfellow Elementary School, volunteering with the City of Sidney Park’s Summer Backpack program, participating in the Shelby County United Way Day of Action by painting the Salvation Army kitchen, and the expansion of the EmPOWERed program. Through the funds that they have raised, POWER has provided some very POWERful allocations in the amount of $15,661 to early childhood literacy, special projects, clothing and school supplies since their conception in 2014.
POWER is still actively seeking volunteers for the kindergarten tutoring program. Volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly or every other week time slot from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. and complete a background check. Volunteers have already stepped up to fill all the slots at Longfellow Elementary, most of the slots at Northwood Elementary and starting to fill some the slots at Emerson with intentions of placing volunteers at Whittier as well.
“With the expansion of the Kindergarten Tutoring Program we have seen many of our POWER ladies as well as several of the United Way partner companies and retirees step up and participate in helping us with our mission to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families in our community. This has been very exciting to see,” said Amy West, POWER associate. Companies that are participating in this volunteer effort so far are Emerson Climate Technologies, Wilson Health, Ashley Himes State Farm, Community Foundation and AAA. Contact West or Scott Barr at the Shelby County United Way office at 937-492-2101 to volunteer.
POWER is a volunteer driven program where members consist of women who work, live or engage in Shelby County. They provide hands-on volunteer and mentoring opportunities for their members as well as opportunities to network with other women in work and social settings. Through collaboration with the Shelby County United Way as well as their own programs and projects opportunities are always available for our women to volunteer with the projects they choose. A minimum contribution of fifty dollars per year provides eligibility as a POWER member. Anyone interested in membership may contact the Shelby County United Way at 937.492.2101 or email Amy at [email protected]. Additional information on POWER, past newsletters and the impact they are having in the community can be found on the POWER website www.Power4Women.org.
Through the fifth week of the campaign, $247,500 has been pledged towards the annual goal of $1,325,000. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or text SHELBY to 40403.
