United Way of Hardin County continues to pursue its mission “To Improve Hardin County by mobilizing the caring power of the Community.”
President, Merleen Barnes said, “We are very thankful to our citizens for many years of their generous support. However, the most current campaign update places the fundraising at only 81% of the $220,000 campaign goal.
"Hardin County's valuable United Way organization is crossing a very critical time in the 2019 campaign. We are nearing the allocation deadline, to determine our agency funding and now reaching out to our caring citizens in all the United Way divisions including: industry, agriculture, professional, personal, small and large business owners. If you have not already placed your donation or pledge, please consider the benefits of all our 21 agencies, and send your donation today.“
"The United Way partner agencies serve residents to improve health, education and financial stability are now in jeopardy of reduced funding."
Barnes continued, “When accessing health services, a person’s zip code should never be a deterrent to success, nor should it be a barrier to improved health. Yet for many, that’s a daily reality."
Due to unemployment, financial illiteracy and homelessness in Hardin County, individuals and families are facing obstacles in their financial stability that prevent a good quality of life.
Hardin County's United Way non-profit partner agencies facilitate 26 programs designed to aid community members in the areas of health, education and financial stability. Programs have helped feed the hungry, provided leadership programs and scholarships, housed the homeless, transported senior citizens, mentored children, improved health and safety, and other valuable programs. According to Barnes, “Amazingly through United Way, nearly 20,000 Hardin County citizens have benefited from these valuable programs.
United Way of Hardin County partner agencies include:
- American Red Cross: In response to a disaster, provides relief and educational services and special assistance.
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters: Mentoring program for guidance of school aged children.
- Boy Scouts of Hardin County: Youth development programs building character, leadership, citizenship and personal fitness.
- Children’s Developmental Center: Providing services and therapy to young children with disabilities in an Early Intervention Preschool environment.
- Community Health Professionals – Hospice: Offers hospice care, emotional and spiritual support that respects the patient’s priorities and personal choices.
- Community S.O.U.P Service: 211 E Carrol St, Kenton Prepares and serves meals free of charge the last full week of each month.
- Dental Council: Provides assistance to Hardin County families in need of dental services.
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Provides books for age’s birth to 5 years, at no cost to the family.
- Girl Scouts of Western Ohio: A girl’s leadership development organization building character of courage and confidence.
- Hardin County Council on Aging: Offers senior services including adult daycare, transportation, outreach, homemaker chores, nutrition, information and referrals
- Hardin County Family YMCA: Providing scholarships for a variety of youth programs.
- Helping Hands Outreach: Emergency food, school supplies and a holiday enrichment program. Referrals are taken from churches and other agencies.
- Kenton Little League: Scholarship programs and a healthy eating program encouraging concession “smart” snack choices.
- Love In The Name of Christ: Ministry of churches and agencies who verify needs of community members, with the goal to enable self-sustaining families.
- Mobility Foundation: Provides adaptive medical equipment, assisting clients with recovery and independence.
- Neighborhood Center: Provides emergency food for Kenton residents.
- New Hope Ministries: Provides temporary housing for the homeless while helping them seek employment and permanent housing.
- ReStore Community Center: Emergency food and community meals provided.
- Safe Haven of Hardin County: Crisis hotline, shelter and services provided to children and adults who are victims of abuse domestic violence and human trafficking.
- Salvation Army: Assisting families with rent, utilities, prescriptions, and a variety of needs, to attain stability in the community.
- Table One: Community meals provided, regardless of ability to pay.
Donations or pledges can be made through the website www.hardincountyunitedway.org. Or for direct donations or pledges, phone the United Way office, 419-675-1860 or mail to United Way of Hardin County, 225 S. Detroit St, Kenton, Ohio 43326.
