United Way breakfast to kick off campaign

Local United Way volunteers are getting ready for the 2007 fundraising campaign.

This year's United Way fundraising drive will kick off with a free breakfast that will be open to anyone who would like to attend. The kick-off breakfast, which will take place at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Fort Scott Community College Cafeteria, will include motivational speeches, honors and entertainment, Bourbon County United Way Executive Secretary Whendi Embry-Martin said.

In 1887, several religious leaders from Denver, Colo., saw a need to confront their community's welfare problems. The first United Way campaign was used to create 10 health and welfare programs. The United Fund, which later became the United Way, was the agency that was created to collect the funds for the ten charities. This agency was also used to organize relief services and provide much needed help and counseling. The first campaign raised $21,700, according to the United Way Web site, http://www.unitedway.org/about/history.cfm.

Now, many years later, the United Way has spread throughout the country. The United Way of Bourbon County gives aide to 17 different non-profit agencies, MacArthur said. Without help through community donations, the funds would not be available to help charities such as the Bourbon County Chapter of the Red Cross, Embry-Martin said.

The 2007-08 Bourbon County United Way Fundraising Drive Chairman Doctor Steve MacArthur will begin this year's breakfast activities with a motivational speech addressed to the community. In addition to MacArthur's speech, Bourbon County United Way Chairman Dave Elliot will make comments to the event attendees, Embry-Martin said.

An honor for years of service will be presented to former Bourbon County United Way Executive Secretary Patty Gorman. Gorman was the executive secretary for the United Way for more than 20 years, Gorman said.

Members of local 4-H clubs will be present at the breakfast to present the colors and lead attendees in the pledge of allegiance, MacArthur said. Also at the meeting, the United Way board members will be recognized by Bourbon County United Way Vice-president Jamie Armstrong, Embry-Martin said.

To entertain during the breakfast, Key Hole youth center director Amanda Brown will share her talents with a musical selection, MacArthur said.

Agencies that are sponsored by the United Way are asked to help distribute packets that will contain an informative brochure in addition to a pledge card with payment options on it, Embry-Martin said.

According to Embry-Martin, donations from individuals in addition to businesses are extremely important. Any donation in any amount is equally important. Some businesses have fund-matching programs, Embry-Martin said. This type of program makes it possible for more dollars to be raised, MacArthur said.

At the conclusion of the drive, awards will be given to the businesses who have given the largest amount per employee. The businesses in Bourbon County are arranged into four categories, professional, industrial, public and commercial, Embry-Martin said. One winner per category will be chosen to receive much deserved recognition for its efforts, Embry-Martin said.

This year's kick-off breakfast is sponsored by Labconco, Ward-Kraft, First Source, KOMB-KMDO Radio, Citizens Bank N.A., Great West Life, Valu Merchandisers, Great Western Dining Service, Inc. and Mercy Health System, Embry-Martin said.

For questions about the United Way kick-off breakfast call (620) 223-0980. Send donations to United Way, P.O. Box 286, Fort Scott, KS 66701.