Organization to donate monies to area agencies

The United Way of Putnam County recently announced that more than $150,000 from its 2006-07 annual campaign will be given to 15 local health and human services agencies, making a 40-year tradition of United Way working to improve the quality of life for county residents.

"One of the fundraising advantages for United Way is that monies raised here stay here," United Way of Putnam County Executive Director Cathryn Ensley said. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and our partner agencies, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the many generous individuals, organizations and businesses that chose to invest in Putnam County."

Agencies set to receive monies from the 2006-07 annual campaign include the Putnam County Unit of the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled, A-Way Home Shelter, Hope Haven Horse Farm, Inc., Johnson Nichols Health Clinic, Mental Health America of Putnam County, Opportunity Housing, Putnam County Chaplaincy Association, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Putnam County Council on the Aging and Aged, Inc., Putnam County Family Support Services, Putnam County Youth Development Commission, Reading Improvement Center, Inc., Summer Enrichment Program, and YMCA of Clay County for Putnam County programming.

"United Way is proud to support our partner agencies," United Way of Putnam County Board President Josh Richardson said. "We stand ready to embark upon another successful campaign this fall in continued support of those agencies that do such crucial work for Putnam County residents."

The 2007-08 annual campaign will kick off in September with what Richardson and other board members describe as a renewed energy and passion toward the United Way mission.

Ensley issued a reminder that United Way is not just about fundraising.

"The United Way of Putnam County strives to be a partner in lasting change, working with a broad range of people and organizations to identify and resolve pressing community issues. We will announce soon our plans for the first Annual Day of Caring and other new, exciting initiatives."

Both Ensley and Richardson are also inviting area golfers to participate in the United Way's 26th annual golf scramble on Aug. 3, at Old Hickory Golf Course, 1626 N. U.S. 231, Greencastle.

The scramble will feature four-person teams with proceeds benefiting the United Way. Door prize items include Cincinnati Reds baseball tickets, a Caesars Indiana evening on the Empire Package, a package from Harrahs, Purdue University football tickets, Indiana University football tickets, Holiday World and Splashin' Safari park passes, Regal Entertainment movie passes, Indiana State Museum passes and prizes from the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.

For more information on the United Way, its partner agencies or to sign up for the golf scramble, call 653-5638 or e-mail unitedway@airhop.com.