Community Download the Mahaska County Resource Directory in PDF format. Download the New Sharon Fact Sheet in PDF format. Download the Fremont Fact Sheet in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader Required. United Way has two essential roles: the first is to conduct cost-effective fund raising for health and human services in our community. The other is to add value to the community beyond the contribution of the individual agencies. In the fall is when you hear the most about United Way because that's when we are conducting our community drive. But the rest of the year we are also here, providing support and resources to our agency partners and participating in community efforts to improve the availability and accessibility of human services. NAEIR has supported the work of local agencies in other ways, too. In 1999, a membership was purchased in an organization named National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources [NAEIR]. This group collects donated merchandise from manufacturers and distributors, and redistributes it to nonprofit groups. A membership is required to be able to access the goods. The items available range from office supplies, clothing, toys, books, paper goods and tools, to furniture, mechanical devices, and computer software. The total investment in the program for the first year was under $1,000. The benefit to the agencies for the same period was over $25,000 worth of good products that were brought into Mahaska County. Since beginning this relationship with National Association for the Exchange Industrial Resources, over $350,000 in goods have benefited Mahaska County. The agencies serving our community do a tremendous job with limited resources, and it is the commitment of United Way of Mahaska County to do all we can to support them in their efforts. Our direct outreach programs include an Annual Winter Coat Drive, Student Supply Cupboard, Literacy Program, Internships, Emergency Food and Shelter, Special Grants, and Volunteer Placement. This year, our Annual Winter Coat Drive distributed over 500 coats to those in need. As part of this drive, scarves, gloves, mittens, snow pants, hats and other items were also given away. The Student Supply Cupboard assists K-12 students with school supplies. Teachers refer students they deem to be in need of supply assistance. Our Literacy Program has recently expanded. Come see our new reading lounge at the community building. We have added shelving, to allow us to display more books. The public is welcome to read books in our climate-controlled building, or to select books to take home with them. If you have books in good condition which you would like to “recycle” into our program, or if you would like to donate new books, please feel free to do so. Young children’s books are very much in demand. College students are required to complete internships for their areas of study. Working closely with local colleges, United Way helps to connect students with the right agency or provide onsite training for the "real" world. By networking with area companies, these college students make significant business contacts in a professional setting. Our hope is that this networking will lead to jobs and the students will stay here and build a life in Mahaska County. United Way of Mahaska County works hard to bring additional funding to Mahaska County by administering the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to the Mahaska County area. This program was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both non-profit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic (not disaster-related) emergencies. The EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people. Many agencies find projects that need a little extra funding. In 2006, United Way of Mahaska County awarded special grants to the Adult Activity Center, Fremont Middle School, Kids' Corner Child Care, YMCA, Youth for Christ, Oskaloosa Peer Helpers, and OMS At-risk I-Cubs Outing. We have recently added a Volunteer Placement Program. We match agencies in need of volunteer workers with those who wish to give back to the community. Almost all of our agencies this year are in need of volunteers. We have positions ranging from baby rockers and book readers, to maintenance and transportation providers. If you are interested in volunteering, please stop by our office to fill out a volunteer enrollment form. Osky Homecoming Parade - United Way, Best Community Float Southern Iowa Fair - United Way, Best Non Commercial Exhibit