Power of the Community a success

To the Editor:

On Jan. 10, 2013, an amazing event called Power of the Community happened at North Clay Middle School, demonstrating the love and generosity of an entire community.

The Power of the Community Steering Committee has many individuals, businesses, restaurants, churches, schools and civic groups to thank.

Many children are going to benefit greatly in several literacy endeavors as a result of the genuine compassion and multi-faceted support shown at this first United Way/Success by 6 event.

First of all, big thanks go to our corporate sponsors: Riddell National Bank (printing and paper goods) and Terre Haute Savings Bank (building expenses); Kevin Higgins of A+Printing was another sponsor. We could not have pulled off this event without their financial support.

We appreciate the countywide support of Clay Community Schools, including Principal Greg Moe and Supt. Kim Tucker for letting us use North Clay Middle School.

We were greatly assisted by several student groups: Clay City Jr./Sr. High School student council, Cumberland Academy, North Clay Ambassadors, Northview High School Excaliburs and student council and Forest Park Elementary School student council. Our student ambassadors were truly blessings to our committee.

The gentlemen from the House of Hope were instrumental in setting up and tearing down our big event.

We also appreciated the extra manpower provided by Chuck Weliever and Jim Deal as well as the beautiful music provided by GrayBeards, the Banks of the Wabash Chorus Barbershop chorus and A.J. Williams provided our auction spotters.

"A Taste of Clay County" was amazing thanks to the generosity of several restaurants and caterers for fixing our dinner that night. We thank the Brazil Coffee Company, Pepsi, Coach's Timeout Sports Bar and Grill, Harmony Diner and Deli, Iron Skillet, Jack's Fine Foods, Julie Maurey Catering and Desserts, Kroger, Lake House Restaurant, Little Caesar's Pizza, Page's Food Store, Papa John's Pizza, Pappy's Barbecue, and Pizza Hut.

Please visit these restaurants and hire these caterers letting them know how much you appreciate their community support by patronizing them frequently.

We thank these restaurants for donating coupons for our raffle trees: Glory Days, Long John Silvers, Lynn's Pharmacy and Soda Shop, Maurizio's Pizza, McDonalds (for all of our student ambassadors), Papa John's Pizza, Rally's, Subway and Tapias.

Enjoy visiting these restaurants as you travel through Clay County.

We salute the giving staff members of Clay Community Schools, who hosted tables and donated baskets and raffle items: Central Office, Clay City Elementary, Clay City Jr./Sr. High, Cumberland Academy and LEAAP Center, Eastside Elementary, Forest Park Elementary, Jackson Township Elementary, Meridian Elementary, North Clay, Northview, Staunton Elementary and Van Buren Elementary.

We thank the principals and staff members not only for their attendance and baskets, but also for their commitment to excellence.

They are on the forefront supporting and teaching our children to read and succeed.

What can we say about the overwhelming financial support of these businesses, civic groups and individuals? Along with our auctioneer, Chris Pell, they made our evening so much fun through our live and silent auctions and raffle prizes.

When our auctioneer was unable to show at the last minute, Chris graciously stepped in and did a wonderful job.

We thank our Auction Supporters: Clay Business Women, Clay County Podiatry LLC/Dr. Miranda Goodale, Delta Theta Tau, James E. Deal/Attorney At Law, H&R Block, Paul Houston MD, John Howes Insurance Agency, Ann Walden of Mary Kay, Mike McCullough/Clay County Council, Dr. Alicia Reed-Thomas, Old Fashioned Jewelry Shoppe, Riddell National Bank, Rodgers Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Gary Staadt DDS, US Nails and the YMCA of Clay County.

Other auction participants included: Hair Productions, American Aikido Institute, American Rental, The Brazil Times, Brenda Weber, Catos, Chances for Indiana Youth, Clay City Pottery, Close to My Heart Scrapbooks, CASY, Curves, Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Emmert Realty/Timberland, Family Video, First Christian Church Children's Ministry, Forest Park Golf Course, Four Loving Paws Veterinary Services, French/Lawson-Miller/Schoppenhorst Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fun Time Scuba, Hale's Little Angel Child Care, Hamilton Center, Hoosier Homes and Land, Indiana Youth Institute, Ryan and Nichole Keller, Lake House Restaurant, Mane Attraction, McGregor House B&B, McKinley Hill Church of Christ, Oak Ridge Golf Course, Shelli Roembke of Pamperered Chef, Kaylee McCollom of Pink Zebra Fragrance Products, Seasoned Wick, Sugar N Spice Florists, Swiss Connection/Yegerlehner's, Natalie DePoy of Thirty-One, Kappa Kappa Kappa Sorority, Out Back Garden Center, Sherwin Williams, Jana Sinders of Thirty-One and Walmart.

Please frequent these businesses and let them know how much you appreciate their community support.

Lastly, I would like to lift up the names of some very special and giving individuals who sacrificed six months of hard work to organize this event and to raise these funds for children's literacy efforts: Mary Yelton (co-chair), Roberta Weliever, Diana Brade, Bill Schad, Michelle Oehler, Katie Sims, Allyson Wegner, Lindsey Mullinix, Janice Modesitt and Lana Hendrix. These hard-working Clay County citizens made up the Power of the Community steering committee.

We look forward to organizing our second Power of the Community next year and hope if you were unable to participate, please consider doing so next year.

We were truly blessed by the loving power of our churches, businesses, civic groups and schools all "UNITED" together Jan. 10.

In appreciation,

Kathy L. Deal,

Clay County United Way Campaign Chair,

Power of the Community Co-Chair