One of the great ways the citizens of Abilene give back to their community each year is through the annual United Way contribution campaign, which kicked off earlier this month. Part of those that give back every year are the employees of Abilene ISD, who have done so in incredible fashion over the last three years.
During that time, AISD employees have contributed nearly $440,000 to United Way causes that impact students and families throughout the city. The United Way is known for helping with basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. But the local organization also works on issues like domestic violence, social media safety, and keeping Abilene’s youth safe from trafficking and becoming victims of violent crimes.
“As a former educator with many years in the school system, I know how important it is that each child has the opportunity to feel safe, know where their next meal is coming from, and have every opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Cathy Ashby, president and CEO for the United Way of Abilene. “It changes their home, their classroom and ultimately their course in life. By giving to the United Way of Abilene, you are making sure that the students and their families in our community have every opportunity to live well, learn well and earn well.”
Thanks in part to the money raised by Abilene ISD employees, parents and students can take advantage of services like the Noah Project and the Regional Victims Crisis Center. Neither race nor ability to pay keep families from being ensured they have safe places to stay at either facility. Families involved with those services will receive the necessary help if they are victims of domestic violence or crime, and will also receive education and resources necessary to teach youth about social media safety each week in classrooms across the Big Country.
In addition to the life-changing services the United Way provides to Abilene ISD children and families, the organization is an advocate for literacy and all things education. This year, the United Way of Abilene has launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Taylor County. Any child ages 0-5 can be registered to receive a free book every month until they turn five years old, starting with The Little Engine That Could and ending with Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Children that begin receiving books at birth could have a catalog of 60 free books when they walk into their kindergarten classroom. So far, United Way of Abilene has registered more than 2,200 children, equaling 26,400 books in the hands of Abilene children in the first year of this program.
This year’s United Way of Abilene campaign, which is themed There’s No Place Like Home, is chaired by past and present Abilene ISD parents Dr. Paul and Susan Watts, Ben and Holly Grant, and Dr. Taylor and Heather Tidmore. The campaign launched district-wide in AISD on Tuesday, August 8, and runs through August 25th. To receive more information on the AISD campaign or to contribute to the United Way, contact the Abilene ISD Department of Communications (communications@abileneisd.org) or visit www.unitedwayabilene.org.
