The theme for the 2014 United Way of Central  Kansas campaign is “It All Starts with You.” The fact that 99 percent of the money raises stays local is a testament to that.
The annual drive to help area organizations starts this week with a goal of $250,000 to be reached by Dec. 31. Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith said the focus of the effort this year health and education for youth in Barton and Pawnee counties.
Sure, this event is a lot of fun and folks can dress the part, casting off the formal trappings of most social galas. They can have a good time. A comedian will tell jokes.
But, what we all must remember that although it all starts with the individual, there are much higher stakes. There are 21 agencies that serve the needy that rely in large part of the funds raised by this annual drive. It does take a community.
There are volunteers in all the included communities that give their time to this effort. There are even more who give their money to it.
Smith and those involved in the campaign have consistently met or exceeded their targets. Why? Smith attributes to the generosity of the countless donors. But, as federal and state dollars dry up, the need for private funding grows more crucial.
Every dollar counts. It seems like a burden times being what they are and many of us struggling to make ends meet, but there are many among us who struggle more.
It happens one dollar at a time. Remember, it starts with you.
Dale Hogg