United Way continues to show support

The Kennett branch of the United Way, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people, contributes to many organizations in the Bootheel area, including the Helping Hand, the Red Cross, and Bootheel Area Independent Living Services (BAILS).

The Helping Hand, located at 511 Frisco Street in Kennett, is a ministry of the Kennett Ministerial Alliance. The Helping Hand provides food, clothing, and furniture to needy families in the area and are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"Those are the three things that the Helping Hand does," said Jocelyn VanBuskirk, Helping Hand treasurer.

The clothes are available for purchase through the Helping Hand, however, clothing can occasionally be obtained free or at greatly reduced costs.

The money made from the clothing almost covers the cost of the Helping Hand's monthly bills, including electric, gas, phone, and lawn care.

The food pantry is available to people on public assistance, limited income, or people who receive a referral from a church.

BAILS, the Red Cross, and the Helping Hand are three of the 13 local agencies supported by funds from the Kennett chapter of the United Way. Staff photo by George Anderson [Click to enlarge]

"When someone comes in requesting food, they are given a box of food to cover meals for three day for the family," VanBuskirk said. "It's a supplement. You can't live off of Helping Hand food."

In the back room of the building, the Helping Hand stores donated furniture which is given to house fire victims. Individuals bring in a police report and the Helping Hand will give them the furniture they lost.

In addition to what they make from selling clothes, the Kennett Ministerial Alliance receives donations from local churches and food from the Southeast Missouri food bank in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Area boy scouts also donate food around Thanksgiving.

The Helping Hand also receives a $4,000 FEMA grant each year for the food pantry.

The charity organization has also applied for a $6,000 to $6,500 grant from the United Way each year since VanBuskirk has been treasurer. This year, they received $10,000.

"That money is used for special needs at the Helping Hand," VanBuskirk said.

The Helping Hand has used the money in the past to purchase a new heating and cooling unit for the building.

"The building has been in great need of repair to the roof and the indoors," VanBuskirk said.

"We are currently in the process of getting the roof repaired and the building repainted. Money we get from the United Way will help pay for the indoor renovations."

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers who provide relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies also receives assistance from the United Way.

"Our ultimate aim is to help our communities prepare for emergencies," said Cheryl Klueppel, executive director of the Southeast Missouri chapter of the Red Cross.

In 2008, the Southeast Chapter responded to 5 local disasters and 257 residential fires.

They also helped 374 affected families and 428 individuals with emergency food, shelter, and supplies.

The Red Cross offers disaster services, services to armed forces, first aid, CPR and AED training, as well as swimming and lifeguard training. Disaster education presentations are conducted at local schools and communities.

The Red Cross also collects and distributes nearly half the nation's blood supply.

Over the last year, the Red Cross held blood drives collection over 11,000 units of blood.

Since the Red Cross is not a government agency, it relies on the generosity of the American people for donations.

They receive financial gifts from individuals, businesses, civic groups, churches, schools, and more to support efforts in the communities.

The Southeast Missouri chapter also receives support from the Kennett chapter of the United Way.

"The United Way of Kennett has been a great supporter of the Southeast Missouri chapter," Klueppel said. "They have helped fund our services.

"This past year, the Southeast Missouri chapter received $4,000 from the Kennett United Way.

"When there is a disaster in that area, our goal is to meet the immediate needs of food, shelter, and clothing. That's a lot of what the United Way helps to support each year."

Another organization that the United Way helps is BAILS.

BAILS is one of 22 independent living centers around the state of Missouri. When BAILS began, they received 100 percent of their funding through a state department vocational rehabilitation grant. In order to receive these grants, BAILS must have four core services: Advocacy, Skill Training, Peer Counseling, and Information and Referral.

The core services are the foundation that BAILS was built on.

Since that time, they have added community awareness, equipment loan programs, transportation services, disability awareness, resource library, consumer directed services, in-home services, asserted technology, and home modification.

"With home modification, we give people the tools they need to prevent them from being put in a home," said Tim Shaw, executive director of BAILS.

With home modification, BAILS equips residents homes with wheelchair ramps, grab bars, shower benches, hand rails, and other assisted technologies.

The home modification services are paid for by donations from the United Way, said Shaw. The United Way contributes approximately $2,500 per year to BAILS.

"Last year they gave us an extra $500 because they exceeded their goal," Shaw said.

By helping different organizations, the United Way brings people together from all across the community. When a child succeeds in school, when a family becomes financially stable, and when people have good health, the United Way sees it as a win for everyone.

Editor's note: This feature is part two of a four part series.