Rice County Area United Way–Helping during a time of need

rice county area united Way:

helping during a time of need

Following the 2019 merger of the United Way including programs that serve multiple Rice County communities. organizations — Faribault and Northfield — Rice These programs play an essential role in the United Way’s commitCounty Area United Way was starting its annual ment to fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of grant-making process in early spring 2020 when every person in our community. Learn more at ricecountyunitedway. COVID-19 ar- org/partner-agencies. rived in Minne- As the local sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we also sota. expect to invest approximately $25,000 in 2020-21 promoting all the In April and good things that happen when families read together. Imagination June, we award- Library sends a free, age-appropriate book each month to more than ed $11,700 in 900 Rice County area children from infancy to age five. The benefits

COVID-19 microgrants to nonprofit of reading to babies and young children are enormous. At a timeagencies that were dealing with when home life, child care, pre-schools and public library programs a surge in needs for food, shelter have been disrupted, Imagination Library will keep the books comand financial assistance due to ing.the pandemic and its economic impact. These experienced local agencies have worked diligently and creatively to deliver the needed services to more people while keeping clients, staff and volunteers as safe as possible. Thanks to individuals Guest Columnist The RCAUW board of directors is growing and includes members from both Faribault and Northfield. Our Faribault-based board members currently include Narren J. Brown, Ph.D., South Central College; Anne Marie Leland, Ph.D., Faribault Public Schools; Ryan Knott, Express Mobile Plus; and Gordon Liu, Hourglass Consulting. This year we are also adding two youth members, including Sarah McColley, a and organizations who donated spe- Penny Hillemann senior at Faribault High School. We invite community members who cifically for this purpose, the United may be interested in serving on our board to get in touch with us.

Way was able to get these additional funds out to help meet rising Some people who normally support the United Way will not be in community needs. a position to do so this year, but in this extraordinary time the needs

At the end of June we announced annual grants totaling $240,000 are greater than ever. If you are fortunate enough to be financially to 27 nonprofit and school-sponsored programs that promote youth stable, please consider making a generous donation to Rice County success, foster health in individuals and communities, help people Area United Way at ricecountyunitedway.org. acquire skills and habits that lead to long-term financial stability, and Now more than ever, every gift is needed and makes a difference assist people experiencing crisis and hardship. for our community.

Eighteen of these programs provide services to Faribault residents, Penny Hillemann is executive director of Rice County United Way.