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April news & updates
Campaign Goal - $140,000 Current - $102,556.01
Volunteer Opportunities
Age-appropriate books are delivered directly to the homes of children, from birth to age 5.
It is approximately $25 a year per child. Currently, there are 830 children receiving books. With the 50% match from the state of Kansas, United Way of Junction City/Geary County still funds over $10,000 a year for the program.
If your family participates in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, please help us continue to provide this program by filling out the survey that is sent to your email.
Steve Spade
UWJCGC Board Vice - President
Greetings
Spring has arrived and is a busy time of year for the United Way of Junction City/Geary County. I would like to acknowledge and thank Jeff Underhill for his commitment as our current Campaign Chair.

Some of the highlights and activities –
  • The United Way of Junction City/Geary County Annual Dinner is scheduled for May 4th. This is the main event of the year for our organization as we recognize all of our local volunteers and celebrate our Volunteer of the Year award. Nominees for the award can be submitted to Nichole for recognition and consideration.
  • 11 local agencies have applied for funding assistance this year and these will be presented to the Board in April for final approval. The Board is very appreciative and grateful for the time and input given by our community volunteers.
  • The VITA income tax preparation assistance program is in full swing and will wind up in a couple of weeks. Persons interested in this free service can contact Nichole, at 785-238-2117, to schedule an appointment.
  • The Dolly Pardon Imagination Library participation continues to grow with over 800 children, ages birth – 5, receiving books to help get them started with literacy and reading.  We recently received a grant donation that will help this program continue.
 
A sincere thank you to the Junction City/Geary County Community for your support and assistance. 
 
Steve Spade
Vice President
United Way of Junction City/Geary County
 
Live United!
Campaign and More....
Nichole Mader - Director
Jeff Underhill - Campaign Chair
Nichole Mader - Director
Greetings,
The warmer weather has started to make its way to us. April is here, flowers are blooming, and we are winding down for the last bit of our busy season. We end our year with our Annual Dinner, where we highlight the work that we and our partner agencies did the prior year. We recognize the passion and dedication of our volunteers and give thanks for all that they do for us.
Now that things are starting to slow down at the office, I have been able to use the time for reflection. I started with United Way in 2016. So much has changed since my first day. Partner agencies have changed, board members have come and gone, new faces, and constantly looking for ways to improve.
Our office is still buzzing with tax appointments and getting ready for summer events. Be sure to follow us on Facebook so that you can stay up-to-date with our programs and services.

Nichole Mader
Executive Director
Our Partners
April Events at the GCFP
Every Friday we offer vegetables, fruit, bread and pastries. Spring would be a great time to come and check out Fresh Food Friday @ 10:30. Anyone in the community is welcome
TEFAP Commodities will be on Friday April 14th @10:30
Wheels of Hope Food Distribution will be on April 13th @ 4:30
Wheels of Hope is for families that have school aged children. Call Windy Hancock at 785-717-4000 to register your family for this program. 

We have a new website www.gearycountyfoodpantry.org
Kansas Legal Services is hosting an Expungement Clinic in Geary County. This program is in collaboration with the local Geary County Bar, Geary County Courthouse, and the Geary County Attorney's Office. This program allows individuals with certain convictions on their record, to have them legally expunged so that they can obtain employment, find safe housing, and provide better living for themselves and their family.
The GIRLS had their Powder Puff Derby on March 26th. For those that do not know what the Powder Puff Derby is, this is a chance for the girls to show off their woodwork and problem solving skills. GIRLS build and paint their wooden derby cars, and then race them. It is a fun and exciting to see all of the different designs that they come up with.
April 1st is World Thinking Day and the service units chose Asia to focus on. 8 troops picked a different county in Asia to learn about and provide a presentation for their fellow scouts.
Our athletes had a great time at the tournaments. We want to thank everyone who came out to help and support the athletes in the competitions.
We are now getting ready for the track & field season.
Coach John Hagerty
Join CASA for the month of April, for Walk For A Child. Enjoy some great spring weather, and help be an advocate for a child.
On May 6th, get your engines revving for the Cruise 4 CASA motorcycle run! Enjoy some wind therapy, and help a child in need.
We are gearing up to recognize May as Mental Health Month again and will be offering new shirts and more. Order them now:
Partnering/sponsoring with Konza for the Family Fun N Fit Day happening in Junction City on June 2.
Monthly posters - Pawnee has created a variety of posters (with more to come) that focus on mental health-related topics and general information surrounding mental health. Our goal in this project is to make it easy for every office, business, or school to promote mental health. View and print the free posters at https://www.pawnee.org/downloadable-mental-health-posters.cfm.
Teen Center – Held the First Friday of Each Month in Manhattan, $2 and open to all teens (ages 13-18.) More details: https://www.pawnee.org/teen-center.cfm

Follow Pawnee on social media!
Instagram @pawneemhs
Past Newsletters – Read past Pawnee newsletters at https://www.pawnee.org/presenting-pawnee-newsletter.cfm.
There are many exciting things happening at the Crisis Center! The Crisis Center’s Junction City office has officially moved into its new office and we are excited to have more than double the square footage we had before! We are now fully accessible and have space for meetings, trainings, and support groups! Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who helped make this move possible. Last quarter, the Junction City office alone served over 50 clients in a variety of capacities – helping people with court hearings, protection orders, safe shelter, and so much more. We are holding our domestic violence and sexual assault support groups on Mondays in Junction City and would like to see participation increase. We have just hired two new advocates who will be working in our Junction City office and will begin their training in April. We are also excited to have the Fort Riley Victim Advocacy Program advocates join our full team in our Junction City office for our monthly all staff meeting on Friday, March 31 to share information and resources about their services.
Did you know that they offer 4 week training sessions for Middle School Weights for just $40? Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30PM to 7:30PM.
Group Swim Lessons are $40. They are 4 week sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30PM - 6:30pm. They offer lessons for children 3 - 11 years of age.
Homeschool PE is a great way to network and let your homeschoolers burn off some energy. Homeschool PE is on Wednesdays. Kindergarten - 3rd grade is 10am-10:45am. 4th - 6th is 11am-11:45am.
Lifeguard classes start in February - $230
  • Includes CPR mask
  • $50 non-refundable deposit
  • 15 years of age or older
Re-Certification classes - $120
  • $50 non-refundable deposit
  • Pre-registration
UNITED WAY OF JUNCTION CITY/GEARY COUNTY | [www.unitedwayjcgc.org]