United Way kicks off Be a Hero campaign

Everyone can be a superhero, according to Scurry County United Way.

United Way kicked off its 2017-18 Be A Hero fundraising campaign with a luncheon Tuesday afternoon. 

“The main purpose of the campaign is to help people in Scurry County,” United Way President Kellye Starnes said. 

Through fundraising, United Way supports multiple non-profit organizations in Scurry County. The theme of this year’s campaign invites supporters to “be someone’s hero” and donate toward the $120,000 goal.

“There is a hero in all of us,” Starnes said. “The best I can do for others is to wear my cape, and I want to challenge you as individuals to wear yours. Anyone who contributes to United Way is a superhero.” 

During the event, United Way presented the eight agencies it supports with the remaining $20,000 from last year’s $120,000 in campaign funds.

The Snyder Volunteer Fire Department received $400 for a year total of $2,500. 

“We recently purchased a safety house where kids can go in and learn about fire safety,” Deputy Fire Marshal Nathan Hines said. “With this, you are changing kids’ lives and keeping them safe.” 

Scurry County Food Cupboard received $800 for a year total of $5,000.

Last year, the food cupboard supported 4,109 families, which included 12,443 people. With funding, they are able to purchase between 120 to 220 cases of food per month and hope to be able to support more families this year. 

Cancer Services Network received $800 for a year total of $5,000.

Last year, the organization served more than 400 cancer patients and used $7,400 to help transport patients for cancer treatments as well as helping to pay some patients’ household expenses. 

Texas Oklahoma Plains Girl Scouts received $900 for a year total of $5,500.

Girl Scout troops will be moving into a building on the Snyder Downtown Square to hold meetings.

Buffalo Trails Boy Scouts received $1,000 for a year total of $6,000.

Forty new members have recently been recruited, and funds will be used to continue providing opportunities for Boy Scout members.

The West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center received $1,200 for a year total of $7,000.

“We work with children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse,” center representative Kelsey Zimmerman said. “Over the last year, we’ve worked with 549 cases, and 173 of those cases have been in Scurry County. This funding helps us get those children into therapy who may not have the funds to pay for it.”

Gateway Family Services received $4,200 for a year total of $25,000.

The organization provides a shelter for victims of family violence and sexual assault.

“We teach kids character and educate them to steer away from violence in the school systems,” victims’ advocate Brandy Luna said. “This year, we’ve already seen change in the kids’ demeanors.”

Scurry Community Services (SCS), now JETS, received $6,400 for a year total of $38,700. 

The organization use the funds to provide daycare services. 

During the SCS presentation, Executive Director Susan Rios shared her story. She detailed her transition from SCS parent to classroom teacher to executive director, all while raising her seven children, receiving a thyroid cancer diagnosis at the age of 21 and obtaining a bachelor’s degree. 

“‘Today is the day,’ is a quote I live by,” Rios said. “It is a phrase that gives me the strength to go on.”

At the end of Rios’ story, she was met with a standing ovation from the audience.

This year’s campaign pacesetters were also recognized at the luncheon.

Snyder’s United Supermarkets team members raised $10,557, and the store’s parent company donated $3,991. Oncor Electric donated $8,840. An anonymous donor gave $6,000. Reagor Dykes Auto Group donated $5,000. Snyder Daily News donated $1,500. Benchmark Business Solutions donated $1,193. Big Country Electric Cooperative donated $1,000. And an additional $5,016 has been given or pledged.

As of Tuesday, the Be A Hero campaign has raised $43,097, more than 30 percent of its goal. The campaign will end on Dec. 31.

Starnes spoke about the influence the community can have through giving.

“Due to the fact that there have been natural disasters and people have been in need, our community is in the giving spirit,” Starnes said. “We care about each other more than in the past, so I think the campaign will be successful this year.”

Starnes also feels that this year’s kickoff was one of the better ones.

“I think today’s event is one of the best kickoff luncheons we’ve had in years,” Starnes said. “Susan (Rios) did a superb job telling her story, and we appreciate all of the pacesetters. There really is a hero in each and every one of us.