United Way Agency Fair is Thursday

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly

By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hors d’oeuvres and prize drawings are among the attractions at an Agency Fair that will be introduced Thursday by the United Way of the Flint Hills. The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Flint Hills Technical College and is open to the public.

Drive Chairman Connie Cahoone said the fair is part of an effort to help area residents find out more about the United Way agencies and what they do for the community.

The local United Way began financing specific programs among its 24 agencies last year, rather than allocating its drive money to the agencies’ general budgets. Last year, United Way allocations were awarded to 38 programs of 22 agencies.

Details about those programs will be available from agency representatives at the event on Thursday.

“Basically, we are trying to focus on what the agencies do, what programs they actually provide for the community,” Cahoone said. “I feel like that’s an important part of this.”

Those who attend will need to stop for a sign-off by agency representatives at each booth to be eligible to win prizes.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Cahoone, Pacesetter Chairman Jeanell Tebbetts and U.W. Director Duane Dreiling will make a brief presentation to announce the 2008 drive goal and update information about the Pacesetter portion of the campaign.

Pacesetter companies make their pledges early in the fundraising drive and generally contribute more than half of the total goal before the general campaign begins. The Pacesetters have done well this year, Cahoone said.

“They are actually up from last year,” she said. “We are very, very pleased with that.”

Drive officials have been concerned about the effect that the Tyson downsizing in January would have on this year’s campaign, but other companies have boosted their giving levels to help the drive succeed.

“Emporia is that type of community,” Cahoone said. “I’m just so pleased. We’ve got some wonderful, wonderful people who live here.”

Agency representatives and volunteers will take part in another new United Way activity, the “Amazing Race Small Business Blitz” on Sept. 24.

They will compete in a scavenger hunt and other contests as they canvass the community to raise funds.

The Clint Bowyer 79 Fund will sponsor the event.