United Way promotes reading, so much more

On Thursday, June 20, members from United Way of Wayne and Holmes County made a trek to Millersburg to spend a day with WKLM, where they shared their time on air from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. promoting the many benefits of the Dolly Parton Imagination Station’s national book program that was designed to get parents and grandparents reading to their children from the day they are born.

Through Parton’s generosity and foresight, millions of children nationwide have signed up to be part of this program, which sends children one book each month until they are 5 years old.

Over the past years, United Way has been instrumental in promoting the program, and according to CEO Katie Koglman, almost 40% of eligible children in Holmes County and 60% of children in Wayne County are currently enjoying the benefits of the book club.

While that number is high, Koglman and the staff at UW are eager to see it expand.

“We have a long way to go for enrollment,” Koglman said. “We’re at 5,500 kids between the two counties, which is great. We just believe in this program and the value of getting books into the hands of children. And having parents read to them from the time they’re born is so valuable because it creates this incredible bond between parent and child. Plus, it can instill the desire for children to read on their own, and that is so important in advancing their learning skills.”

The local UW organization even has its own Dolly Parton trade-in library where parents can trade in books for a different book, allowing children to read what interests them.

Thus, the UW team was at WKLM for a day to promote the program, raising both awareness and funds that help pay for the books.

While that was the crux of their visit, UW has helped a huge population of families and individuals throughout Wayne and Holmes counties that extends far beyond books.

“We do a lot of work with a little staff, but we’re very passionate about what we do,” Koglman said. “We work hard and we play hard, and everyone here is doing what they are so good at, and that makes things work.”

UW works with numerous area nonprofit organizations, serving as a fundraising agency for many organizations that simply don’t have the wherewithal to do so.

Koglman said in doing so, UW is helping those organizations touch the lives of many people in many ways.

In 2024 thus far, UW has given financial assistance to at least 30 local organizations.

“We don’t give money to people; it always goes to organizations that are helping people,” Koglman said.

Summer is Dolly Parton season for UW, and Koglman said the four full-time people and one part-time person working with UW have been passionately promoting Parton’s reading program this summer.

As the year progresses, those efforts will turn to other endeavors, to which the team will continue to devote itself 100%.

“When we hire at United Way, we always hire passion first,” Koglman said. “We can teach people how to fundraise or write grants or process mail, but you can’t teach people passion. You can’t teach people to be a relationship builder, and that’s everyone here. We’re all about building relationships and helping others.”

From providing to those struggling with addictions, mental health issues, childcare costs, and dental and medical expenses to helping the elderly and providing food, shelter, clothing and so much more, United Way’s arms reach long and wide as the organization continues to support the organizations that support people in the communities of Wayne and Holmes counties.

Organizations like the Viola Startzman Clinic, Darb Snyder Senior Center and Holmes Center for the Arts receive financial support through UW’s fundraising efforts.

“It’s a great feeling to know we are helping others,” Koglman said. “We’ve been commanded to love one another, and we try to make that happen every chance we get.”

There are many ways people can volunteer to help the United Way effort, along with plenty of ways to donate financially to make an impact on those who need help in so many ways.

To do so, visit www.uwwh.org or call 2-1-1 or 330-263-6363.