Local families to benefi from fundraiser project

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

What can $10 buy?

If you answered $10 will buy discounts at local businesses adding up to way more than the original price paid, and will provide services to families at risk, then you answered correctly.

Family Connections is launching a fundraising campaign to sell coupon cards for discounts and free items at a variety of local businesses. The cards cost $10 each.

Carl Moore of Osgood, who has been with Family Connections for 16 years, said he purchased one and in two weeks time had already gained more than $16.00 for the $10.00 purchase. He thanked the participating merchants saying, “We couldn’t do it without them.”

Since funding for Family Connections was cut 35% this year, the local group is doing what they can to still provide services to those they serve.

Family Connections has been a positive force for over 25 years in this area. They provide a variety of services essential to quality of life for many. They help with housing, nutrition, parent/child interaction, substance use, child immunizations, child development and much more.

The group supports and advocates for pregnant women, their families, and families with children who lack resources to insure healthy pregnancy outcomes, and healthy, resilient families.

Their impact can be seen now in generations of those who have been served by this program. Moore noted, “We do not write checks...we provide services.” That makes a big difference in the lives of the people they serve. They teach them how to change their lives to be successful. They have statistics to show their success rate and even with cuts in funding are committed to excellence.

Their primary program, Healthy Families America, is a national program designed to help expectant and new parents to get their children off to a healthy start. Since 1983 Family Connections has served over 35,000 families.

With the burden of so many people depending on their service and the knowledge that they will again face about a 20% cut next year, Family Connections board member Moore noted they have to do something different to be able to reach those in need of their services.

The most recent fund raising effort is in place to help offset budget cuts. It only costs $10 and can reach many families, plus give the person making the purchase wonderful discounts that are welcome in today’s economy.

Stop in the Versailles, Milan, and Osgood offices of United Community Bank (formerly Integra Bank), MainSource Bank in Versailles and the Napoleon, Osgood, and Holton locations of the Napoleon State Bank, to pick up a card.

Moore described the card as a “good value” that will serve a dual purpose. For more information, or if your group or organization would like to team up with Family Connections to make some money for your organization, contact Moore at 812-689-4328.