United Way of West Ellis County

Posted by John Hamilton

on Feb 18, 2016

The United Way of West Ellis County (UWWEC) serves 27 partners and will distribute almost $375,000 in 2016. Typical examples of these agencies are the Boy Scouts of America, Big Brother Big Sister, Hope Clinic and Salvation Army of Waxahachie. Without the help from UWWEC many of the agencies would have difficulty meeting their programs and serving their clients.

As an example of how important this assistance is, Jon McLaughlin, executive director of the YMCA, told about the effect on the Y. They are able to provide bigger and better programs for the citizens of Waxahachie. It also allows them to dream of building a ball park for special needs kids.

Casey Ballard, UWWEC executive director, and Andy Lehmann, board member, explained that they are not only performing their traditional functions but have added two visionary programs.

The first is a reading enhancement program at Red Oak ISD and Waxahachie ISD. Ms. Ballard said that up until the third grade kids learn to read. After that grade they read to learn. If they cannot read by the third grade they will probably never be able to keep up in school with all that implies. Their Club Connect program builds oases at the schools with bookshelves, books, bean bags and soft carpeting to encourage reading for fun. This will help kids reach the levels they need for future success. Right now about 16% of Ellis County residents will not graduate from high school. This needs fixing.

The second program is the Waxahachie Project. This project is intended to assess what the needs of the county are. Instead of asking, “What do you do and how can we help?” they will ask, “What are the greatest needs of Ellis County that we can address together?” Also, “What are the greatest strengths of Ellis County that we can support together.

As a starting point about 300 SAGU students wearing Waxahachie Project t-shirts will fan out over the county to ask the resident’s and business’ opinions on these questions. They probably came around Saturday and hopefully you welcomed them. They are your way to get your opinions and desires heard. The information they glean will be used to develop clear, strategic goals for us to collaborate on.

In its desire to help the Rotay Club donated $4,000. In addition, several Rotarians individually donated another $2,600.

In other business Jim Sayegh was inducted in the Rotary Club and began his red badge stage.

For more information about the projects contact Andy Lehmann at 412-638-4934 or alehmann@theoaksonline.org .

For more information about the Rotary Club of Waxahachie where we believe in Service Above Self and doing things as a club we cannot do alone, visit the club web site at www.waxahachierotary.org . You can find American flag subscription forms there. Cow Creek Country Classic bike ride information will be there soon. The bike ride will be Saturday, June 25.