Fun times at the Fair on the Square

Smiles were seen throughout the downtown square during Saturday’ Scurry County United Way County Fair on the Square fundraiser.
It was the kickoff event for the 2019 campaign toward its $165,000 goal. United Way board president Jonathan Farmer said the second annual County Fair on the Square was a good way to get the 11 agencies involved.
“These agencies are so vital to our community,” he said. “Fundraisers and community support for these agencies is invaluable. We as a board are so grateful for the support.”
This year’s campaign will provide financial support to Snyder Day Care Center, Gateway Family Services, West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center, Buffalo Trail Boy Scouts, Texas-Oklahoma Plains Girl Scouts, Cancer Services Network, Scurry County Food Cupboard, the Snyder Volunteer Fire Department, Scurry County Museum, Scurry County 4-H and Snyder Christian School.
Farmer said credit goes to United Way Executive Director Sheila Hale for organizing the event, but she said it was a group effort.
“This is absolutely what the community needs. This is a great reminder that we live together as a community,” she said. “Together, we live better. That is what United Way is all about.”
Kaitlin Ferguson, who owns Kaitlin Ferguson State Farm Insurance and serves as the United Way board’s vice president, said supporting the campaign came easy.
“Thanks to United Way money, we are able to support agencies in Scurry County to help them have projects and supplies they normally would not be able to get,” she said, adding the volunteer fire department was able to purchase an inflatable educational fire house and Scouts were able to purchase supplies. “As business owners, we need to come together and support this year’s campaign.”
One of the highlights of Saturday’s event was the balloon drop with local officials. Development Corporation of Snyder Executive Director Brooke Proctor was one of the volunteers who got wet.
“It felt good. I will take a balloon for a good cause any day,” she said. “It was great to see people come together for such a good cause.”
Even representatives from the agencies were pleased with the turnout.
“The support is so important,” said Snyder Christian School Principal Jennifer Haynes. “We want our kids to give back and support the other United Way agencies.”
Scurry County Museum Executive Director Nicole DeGuzman said she plans to use United Way funding to promote science, technology, engineering and math activities for local youth.
“It is great to get out in the public and share our mission with the community,” she said. “We want to be more active with these events.”
Boy Scouts Troop No. 27 had one of the more entertaining booths. The boys and girls of the troop used 2-liter soft drink bottles as water rockets, with the help of an air compressor.
Scout Joe Chaney said he was appreciative of the community support.
“It is a blessing to all of our hearts,” he said. 
Scout Elizabeth Scott said she hopes being on the square helped people learn more about the organization.
“We want to help people with a lot of different things,” she said. “I really want to help our environment.”
Hale said final fundraising figures from County Fair on the Square will be available later this week. 
To contribute to the campaign, donations may be made online at www.scurrycountyunitedway.org  or mailed to P.O. Box 1411, Snyder, TX 79550.