Editor’s Note: Gina Haile, the area director for the Montgomery County United Fund, has provided the Journal Review with several stories that focus on MCUF’s partner agencies. This is the first installment in the series.
Garth Brooks is a great talent. I wouldn’t call myself a fan, like my Garth-obsessed friend Carole, but I have enjoyed his music over the years and my husband and I have even attended a concert. So when his Christmas special aired this week, I decided to tune in. Trisha Yearwood’s rendition of “O Holy Night” and Garth’s own “Belleau Wood” were truly moving. Classic songs and great carols were shared.
Under a cozy blanket in the glow of the lights from our Christmas tree, I mindlessly enjoyed the joyful live event. Until a small moment of banter between the two stars caught my attention. “Love is not canceled.” What? Trisha playfully called attention to Garth’s black T-shirt. In simple, bold white letters, “Love is not canceled.” What a message for Christmas 2020!
Love is not canceled! Not for the seven men who graduated from Trinity Life Ministry this past week.
Love is not canceled! Not for the 120 or so kids who come daily to the Boys & Girls Club after school.
Love is not canceled! Not for the victims of domestic violence that are reached by the Family Crisis Shelter via updated remote technology.
Love is not canceled! Not for our neighbors that continue to have Sunshine Van transportation with safe, COVID-19 protocols in place.
Love is not canceled! Not for the young students who receive meals, personal interaction and instruction at Willson Family Preschool.
Love is not canceled! Not for the teens who continue to be mentored, guided and educated at the Youth Service Bureau.
Love is not canceled because Montgomery County has stepped up and supported the United Fund’s agencies this year. With your payroll deductions and personal donations, we have been able to allocate over $350,000 to 15 agencies. The Emergency Response Initiative grant from Indiana United Ways and Lilly Endowment provided even greater funding. All told, Montgomery County United Fund invested $581,183 into our community this year!
As we look to wrap up our 2020 campaign in January, we are only about half way to our goal. Several industry partners will complete a campaign and individual gifts are still filling our post office box. However, I am concerned about what our 2021 allocations will be and what impact that will have on our agencies. In a year where so much has been altered, restricted and stopped, please consider a gift to our 2020 campaign, a gift to our partner agencies. Please join me in proclaiming, Love is not canceled!
Donations can be mailed to MCUF, P.O. Box 247, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or through PayPal on our website at montgomeryunitedfund.org. Payroll deductions can be arranged through your company’s HR department.
