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United Way conducts agency fair

Sep 24, 2009

By Eloria Newell James, community@laurelleadercall.com
 September 18, 2009 11:19 am

Local residents were informed Thursday about the various services available through agencies of the United Way of the Pine Belt Region.
From disaster relief services provided by the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to the YWCO and the various educational learning centers/facility, agencies with the United Way offer a wide range of services to the community, which were highlighted during an agency fair Thursday at the Sawmill Square Mall.
United Way Executive Director Barbara Johnson said the agency fair has been conducted by the group in the past. However it had not been done in the last several years.
Johnson said the event “gives our agencies some exposure and lets the public know all the valuable services we provide to the community.”
As a part of the day, all the United Way agencies provided literature and information to the public about their many services.
The American Red Cross also provided free blood pressure checks for those attending the event.
Resident Ophelia Ingram said the free service was beneficial to her.
“This event lets everybody know what type of services are available to us,” Ingram said. “It’s good to know these things.”
Carolyn Wood, LPN volunteering with the Red Cross, and Nancy Vander Schaaf, a RN volunteering with the Red Cross, said the local Red Cross chapter provides free blood pressure screenings service Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon.
Vander Schaaf, who is chair of the ARC’s health and safety committee, said the agency also offers CPR classes, first aid classes, baby-sitting classes and a Scrubby Bear (a handwashing class for kindergarten) Program throughout the year.
Captains Bill and Stephanie Mockabee with the Salvation Army said the special event gave them an opportunity to meet and greet residents while also reminding them about the Salvation Army’s many programs and projects.
Betty Kreider, president of the YWCO board of directors, said the event allows the ‘Y’ to “get the word out about what we do.”
Kreider said the downtown Laurel facility is available for use by the public for meetings, banquets and other events.
The YWCO on Oak Street also conducts its Tuesday lunches as well as serve as the site of many community activities.
Officials with Parents for Drug Free Youth said the agency fair gives exposure to their program and informs the public what services the agency provides.
Ollie Hoover, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Covington County, agreed.
“ The Boys and Girls Club provides a safe haven for children after school,” Hoover said. “We are available to give the children education and homework assistance.”
The Boys and Girls Club of Covington County has sites in Seminary, Mount Olive, Collins and Hopewell.
Mary Jo Blackledge, director of adult and community education that includes the Pine Belt Adult Literacy Program, said her agency is all about educating the public and equipping them for life.
“This is a great event, which allows us to get the message out to the community about this service we provide,” Blackledge said. “We are recruiting both tutors and those who need help learning how to read.
“We want people to know that we are available in the community,” Blackledge added. “We care about people and we try to meet their needs in education.”
June Murray, a member of the Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council, and Learlene Chapman of Hebron said teaching people to read is a joy that their agency provide.
Blackledge said the tutoring program is confidential and conducted on a one-on-one basis.
The United Way kicked off it’s 2009 fundraising campaign last week.
Johnson said the agency has raised about $334,000 or about 58 percent of the group’s goal of $610,000.
Johnson said the economic crisis has affected United Way fundraising.
“People need to know that the amount of money donated is going down and the needs are going up,” Johnson said. “Our agencies are doing the best they can with the money we have. Therefore, we need everyone to help.”
Johnson said the United Way is also communicating with several agencies to ensure that the public will receive sufficient flu and swine flu vaccines. She said more information about this project will be announced in the near future.
Money raised during the campaign will be allocated to various service agencies in the Pine Belt Region.

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