Saluting the United Way and those who make it work

For the second year, I attended the United Way of Vernon County Appreciation and Awards Luncheon.

The annual event serves to recognize the agencies, businesses, and volunteers who make a difference in helping this organization help us in our community.

Recognition was given to the luncheon sponsors, the media sponsors, the Oktoberfest Committee, the Challenge Program coordinators, and the different businesses and industries that had the highest per capita contributions based on the number of their employees.

This year's goal was $112,000. And this year's drive attained that goal. All those dollars, raised locally, are used locally.

These dollars are a huge benefit as the United Way provides support to many different local agencies. Those agencies in turn support numerous citizens in a variety of ways.

The United Way is a funding source, and in some cases, the only funding for these agencies.

Youth and senior citizens are two groups who benefit most from United Way funds. Yet others are on the receiving end of either goods or services provided for by the United Way and its member agencies.

We profiled these agencies in a series of stories in the Daily Mail, over the past several months. The stories were designed to give our readers an understanding of what each agency does and just how important those services are to our quality of life here in Vernon County.

Coverage of the luncheon itself and those recognized at the event, held at the Nevada Country Club, will also appear in the Daily Mail.

Getting the opportunity to recognize those who work tirelessly, giving of their time, talents and finances, so others will have a better quality of life, is a humbling experience.

The United Way staff and its volunteer board, chairs, members and workers are to be commended.

I join with countless others in our community in saying thanks to all those who make up these efforts, for extending a helping hand to all of us.

Your efforts are deeply appreciated.