Jennings United Way Benefit Raises $14,000

(FIRST ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: ANN BECKMAN, ROSS RICHARDSON, SHANTA WILL, KELSEY GOECKNER, SARA JENNINGS, DR. RYAN JENNINGS, PEGGY VALENTI, DENISE WALK AND LINDA HEMMEN; BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: ROY SHELLEY, LARRY O'DELL, ASHLEY BUEHNERKEMPER, MISTY CAMPOS AND MEL STOCK)

The United Way Board of Directors is thanking Dr. Ryan & Sara Jennings for their efforts to raise money for United Way of Effingham County. The Jennings' held a party at their home on September 2nd and raised over $14,000.

Special thanks were also given to Jeff Frey, Tim Crippen, Sagan Calkins, Chad Arnold, Jack Jennings, Logan Eubanks, Jon Stremming, Buffalo Wild Wings and the many friends and neighbors from Grupe Subdivision and the neighboring subdivisions supporting the event. This is the 10th year the event was held in support of the United Way.

99% of the funds raised stay local.

23 local partner agencies receive funding from United Way of Effingham County. They include: Big Brothers Big Sisters Mid Illinois - Effingham County, Blessings in a Backpack, Boy Scouts of America - Lincoln Trails Council, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Effingham County, Catholic Charities, CEFS Golden Circle Nutrition Program, CEFS Literacy Program, CEFS Retired Sr Volunteer Program (RSVP), Child Advocacy Center of E. Central Illinois, Effingham Child Development Center, Effingham County FISH Human Services,  Effingham County Search & Rescue, Effingham County Youth Commission, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Heartland Human Services, NAMI of Effingham County (National Alliance on Mental Health), One Hope United, Oneighty, SAFE (Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies), Senior Services of Effingham County, STAR (Strategic Training & Restoration), SWAN (Stopping Woman Abuse Now) and Unit 40 Mentoring Program.