Update January- April 2022
A Brief Update from our United Way Office
Meet Our New Program Director
Halle Krajenski

Halle (Gilligan) Krajenski is a Knox County native. Halle graduated from Wittenberg University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Her passion for working with people was greatly inspired by her time working with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she worked at a daytime center for individuals who were living with Schizophrenia. In 2015, she joined Knox County Head Start, where she has worked with families as an Advocate and accredited Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Practitioner. Halle joins The United Way of Knox County as Program Director with a passion for meeting people wherever they are in life and helping them to navigate the path to reaching their goals and fullest potential. She looks forward to supporting the community’s growth and vibrancy by working with the United Way’s partnering agencies, who contribute so much to the wellbeing of Knox County.
To reach Halle call the office at 740-397-5721 or via email halle@uwayknox.org
2021 Investment Agenda
United Way Investment Applications have been received and reviewed. Program representatives have presented to the Community Impact Panel and Community Investment Committee.

The feedback that the Community Investment Panel provided after application review and presentation process has been shared with the Community Investment Committee. Our Committee made funding recommendations which were reviewed and finalized by our United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. Board of Directors.

It is a long, objective process with many community stakeholders involved. We rely on the community to guide funding partnership decisions.

Annual Meeting
On Thursday, March 3, 2021, Community Partners, Donors, Workplace Campaign Representatives, United Way Board Members and staff gathered for lunch at the Alcove, to celebrate a successful 2021 Campaign. During the luncheon, the top 20 Campaigns were announced and celebrated, Marcy Rinehart and Jason Snively were elected to the Board of Directors, while Todd Hawkins was thanked for his two years of service as Board Chair, handing the duties over to Lisa Lloyd for 2022. It was a wonderful turnout and we at United Way could not be more thankful for the support Knox County continues to provide to our organization year after year. We are blessed.
Free Tax Preparation
Since 2007, United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc has been offering free tax preparation assistance. Our dedicated staff and team of tax preparation volunteers will once again offer free Tax Preparation Assistance. This year, the IRS VITA program will be offered again as curbside style appointment. Taxpayers will stay in their car while VITA certified preparer completed the return inside of United Way's office. For a more information visit Free Tax Preparation Assistance | United Way of Knox County, OH (uwayknox.org)

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Learning Healthy Habits with Crunch Out
United Way’s Crunch Out Knox program teaches 4th grade students in Knox County Schools about making healthy food choices and getting physical activity every day. Information about 5-2-1-0 is shared. 5 stands for 5 servings of Fruits & Vegetables – Serve a fruit or vegetable at every meal. 2 represents 2 hours of Screen Time – Limit screen ‘play’ time and plan when to watch TV. 1 signifies 1 hour of Physical Activity – Take a walk or play outside together. 0 instructs students to drink 0 Sugary Beverages – Try water or milk instead.
Education and practice are the best way to create healthy habits. That's what Crunch Out provides for Knox County's students! Crunch Out Knox County provides information and tools to help our children create and maintain healthy habits to support life-long wellness.
The six-week county-wide program is held in the fall during physical education class. Students learn how to use an exercise ball as a fitness tool and practice different ball exercises. Students receive their own exercise ball to take home and keep and are encouraged to share program information with their family. Research shows that families have the biggest influence on their child's health habits. Not only do we want the kids to move more, but we also want to get families involved and moving. By having an exercise ball at home, students and family can use it and create new healthy habits together! A training guide - My Everyday Guide to Living Healthy - offers different ball exercises and tips about healthy eating and portion sizes. Students record their nutrition and physical activity in Journals and earn prizes for completing weekly journals and actively participating in gym class. At the end of the program, students complete an essay - "How I Am Living Healthy!" Winners are selected from each classroom and school.
Although Crunch Out is coordinated by United Way, we are grateful for our community partners Knox Community Hospital, Knox Public Health - Mount Vernon, Ohio, and the YMCA of Mount Vernon. As well as support from the Get Healthy Knox County community coalition.

This year’s Crunch Out Essay winner of Knox County is Callie May of East Knox Elementary School.
Other winners including school winners :
Alli Sekavec Tori Abrams, Emma Perrin, Raylee Borchers from Fredericktown Elementary
Hailey Elliottis, Brooklyn Bruff from Danville Elementary.
Aria Yarman from St. Vincent de Paul.
McKenna May, Haley Page from East Knox Elementary.
Ben Wilhelm, Ella Joering, Carter Skillman from Centerburg Elementary.
Lily Grassbaugh from Wiggin Street Elementary.
Karrie Gearhart, Clara Mussard from Columbia Elementary.
Tommy Fowler, Cole Bonvillain, Narrion Pelletier from Pleasant Street Elementary.
Addison House, Ava Beam, Gabriella Schemrich from Twin Oak Elementary.
Haddon Daniels, Caroline Vonck from East Elementary.
Power of the Purse

Schnormeier Event Center at Ariel Foundation Park
Friday, May 6, 2022
Doors open at 5:30, Dinner begins at 6:00,
The Live Auction begins at 7:15P.M.

To reserve a table or purchase single tickets: email lindsay@uwayknox.org, call 740.397.5721, or click here by Thursday April 28th, 2022.
~Tables Are Almost SOLD OUT~
Limited Seats Available
Connect to Volunteer Opportunities in Knox County
Local volunteerism is the power behind long-lasting change. United Way of Knox County has long prioritized volunteerism. Introduction of a new, dynamic online platform will amplify volunteer engagement and impact in Knox County. Nonprofits and other agencies in the area have already started posting their volunteer opportunities, special events, and engagement activities online in hopes of increasing the variety of ways for individuals to get involved. This web-based system, Volunteer Knox is administrated by United Way and available at www.volunteerknox.com.
Organizations and volunteers will utilize the tool for free under one United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. agreement. Contact United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. office for more information!