OGLE COUNTY — Ogle County now has its own dedicated United Way branch, after a merger took place about a year and a half ago, United Way of Ogle County Executive Director Ashley Richter said.
Ogle County was previously serviced by the United Way of Rock River Valley out of Rockford. Richter and her board took over the territory. She also serves as executive director of the United Way of Lee County.
“It's an exciting opportunity,” Richter said. “It's not starting from scratch, but in a lot of ways it's like a rebuilding year of getting awareness out in the community and letting it know that we're here and we want to help and get more people involved. We're looking for a couple more board members and want to have a diverse group of community members. If there's an opportunity to be more involved or attend more community events, we want to do that.”
One of United Way of Ogle County’s top initiatives is United Way 211, which is a free confidential hotline that helps people in Ogle County find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 can be used for food assistance, housing assistance & shelters, employment help, heating & utility help, abuse prevention, elder care, mental health services, substance abuse help, becoming a foster parent, where to get medical help, earned income tax credit (EITC) and disaster services.
The nonprofit’s other top initiative is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which is a free book-a-month program for all children living in Ogle County from birth to age five. Books are mailed directly to children’s homes each month. The program currently has about 670 Ogle County children enrolled.
“When you read regularly with your children during their first years, you are giving them the biggest boost toward a successful education they will ever get,” Richter said. “We'd like to build up our resources and fundraise for the program so we can continue to take on as many kids as we can. The goal of the imagination library is to get every child possible involved in it. That's a goal for us too. It takes away the possible transportation barrier for families by shipping directly to homes. I think it's something a lot of people can get behind and we're open to working with organizations locally to support it.”
United Way of Ogle County also uniquely fundraises to redistribute back to nonprofits. One in three Ogle County residents is directly impacted by United Way partner agencies, which include Blackhawk Area Council, the Boy Scouts, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP), Focus House, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, HOPE of Ogle County, Hub City Senior Center, Lifescape Community Services, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Mt. Morris Senior Center, Ogle County CASA, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Rock River Center, Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Serenity Hospice & Home, Shining Star Children's Advocacy Center, and the Village of Progress.
Every dollar invested in United Way of Ogle County stays in the community, Richter said.
“We're focused on the basic necessities that are the framework of a community,” Richter said. “We fundraise for our initiatives and give back to support our nonprofits. Every year, those organizations apply for funds from us. We're always open to helping out other or new nonprofits. We were able to provide $75,000 in support this past year. We fundraise all of that money through things like workplace campaigns or corporate donations. We're looking for extra support locally to build on our work and get as many people involved as we can.”
As far as United Way of Ogle County’s future in the community, Richter said it is interested in programs like installing Little Free Libraries, working with elementary schools to grow the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, and working with more employers on employee payroll deduction donation programs.
“United Way has always had the focus of if everybody gives a little bit, that makes a huge difference,” Richter said. “Every dollar does matter and makes a difference. It's about getting people involved, because it does take everyone to come together to address issues in the community. When agencies apply for funds, we see the needs that this county has.”
To get involved with United Way of Ogle County, visit https://unitedwayofoglecounty.org/.
