Letter to the Editor

'Power of Community' doubled donations from last year

Sunday, November 15, 2015

To the editor:

On September 24, 2015, 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. Our young children are going to benefit greatly in several literacy endeavors as a result of the genuine compassion and multi-faceted support shown at this third annual United Way/Success by 6 event. First of all, big thanks go to our corporate sponsors: Riddell National Bank, Terre Haute Savings Bank, and A+ Printing. We could not have pulled off this event without their financial support to rent North Clay and other basic expenses of such a large event.

We appreciate the county-wide support of the Clay Community School Corporation, Supt. Jeff Fritz, North Clay Principal Robert Boltinghouse, and all of principals and staff members of our county schools. We further appreciated the extra manpower provided by United Way/Success by Six Real Men Readers, Chuck Weliever and Jim Deal, and Excaliburs. The beautiful music provided by Graybeard and the Banks of the Wabash Chorus blessed everyone in attendance.

"A Taste of Clay County" was amazing thanks to the generosity of several restaurants and caterers for fixing our dinner that night. We thank: Iron Skillet, Kroger, Pages Food Store, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Lake House Restaurant, The Green Olive Catering, Papa John's Pizza, Casey's Pizza Carry-Out, Little Caesar's Pizza, The Brazil Coffee Grounds & Bakery, Pepsi Cola Refreshment Services, and Coach's Timeout Sports & Grill. Please visit these restaurants and hire these caterers letting them know how much you appreciate their community support by patronizing them frequently. These local restaurants brought many samples of their very best dishes ranging from main courses and salads to desserts and beverages. Thank you so much for being so good to our community's children!

Due to the generosity of many fine Clay County folks, we are thrilled to report that we made $10,300 (doubled from last year!). Books have been ordered for our kindergarteners, and the Real Men Readers are already out in the Clay Community schools reading and mentoring these young children. Each kindergarten student will receive many new books, the Born Learning Trail has been repainted at Forest Park, and our dream is to do even more in 2015 under the guidance of the Success by Six Board can be a reality. Success by Six also provides Mini Literacy Grants to qualified preschools and child care providers. We are very proud that Mary Yelton serves on that Wabash Valley Success by Six Committee which impacts the lives of many children.

Clay County has demonstrated that living UNITED is the only way to live. Our 2015 Campaign Chair/Terre Haute Tribune Star editor, B.J. Riley, and I thank you for every single way you gave. United Way's theme, "Be a Superhero", demonstrates how each of us in our own way can advance education, community, and health in the Wabash Valley. Be looking at an upcoming Letter to the Editor thanking our auction and raffle donors.

Kathy Deal and Mary Yelton, Co-Chairs

Power of Community Committee