We are McDonough United

Welcome to the McDonough County United Way!  We provide funding to 15 local, non-profit agencies, serving McDonough County residents.  Additionally, we support the community through our Comfort Bag program- providing filled backpacks to children who are taken into DCFS custody, often with nothing but what they are wearing.  New this year, we are partnering with Macomb Schools on their Care Closet initiative.  These Care Closets will provide hygiene and health related products to children who may need extra support.  

The United Way provided over 5,000 books to local children last year through our Imagination Book Club.  This program puts books into the homes of families who may need more reading materials, as well as children who benefit from additional reading support.  

POWER OF THE PURSE

 Are you ready for the best Ladies Night of the Year?  Power of the Purse returns to the Spoon River College Outreach Center for our 13th year, sponsored again by the fabulous Chris Standard (Macomb Audiology and Hearing Aid Center) and Julie Anne Pickett (IPI Wealth Management)!  

The event kicks off on Friday, March 24 from 5-7pm with our Silent Auction Open House.  Come out to bid on silent auction packages, try your luck at the Power of the Punch Board, bid on delicious goodies to enjoy, peruse the Live Auction offerings, and be sure to bring your mini-me for Petite Power of the Purse!!  That’s right, a mini purse auction and punch board, just for the little ones in your life who want to experience the fun!  The littles even have their own “pink” carpet to walk, so go ahead and wear the sparkly dress!  Silent Auction will conclude at 7pm, so you can take your winnings home that night, grab them the next night if you are attending the Live Auction, or make arrangements to pick up Monday, March 27.   Admission is just $10 at the door, or included if you are a VIP Live Auction ticket holder.  Admission for little guests, 12 and under, is free.  

On Saturday, March 25 from 6-9pm, we crank up the excitement with Kyle Kelso and team, for the VIP Live Auction and Online Event!  Featuring fabulous designer purse packages, open bar, WIU Athletes modeling the purses, and more! The VIP Live Auction is SOLD OUT, but you can follow the auction online at Kyle Kelso Auctioneer– just register in advance on the website.  You can bid online, or just follow the excitement!!  Contact the United Way office, if you would like to be added to our wait list for an in-person seat at the event.   

Contact Jill if you are interested in donating a purse package or Punch Board prize at 309-837-9180 or mcdcunitedway@gmail.com.

United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. When you support McDonough County United Way, your donation is staying local, supporting our 17 partner agencies in their fight to help the more than 11,000 residents they serve.

In addition to helping our partner agencies fulfill their missions, McDonough County United Way is dedicated to various community outreach programs to ensure the health, education, and financial stability of our community and all its citizens.

We are focused on assisting community-based and community-led programs and agencies committed to improving health, education, and financial stability in McDonough County.

A Note From Our Director

United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to advance the common good.  United Way is a collective group of donors, advocates, volunteers, and partners who fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every region. We win by living United. 

This year has presented challenges we have never before faced, as an organization, a community, and a world.  The caring power to LIVE UNITED has been evidenced in our community time and again- volunteers rallying to help those in need, people redefining “normal” to keep themselves and others healthy, and generous hearts contributing to causes that are important to them.  Thanks to many of those kind hearts, we were able to quickly exceed our $5,000 Match Campaign and provide over $12,000 to local food pantries and housing assistance.  Through generous grant funding, we were able to add an additional $80,000 to McDonough County services- food pantries, housing assistance, and emergency social services.  

Our commitment to support children’s literacy is unwavering.  In Summer 2020, we increased our book distribution to McDonough County families in need by 300%.  Over 3,000 books were delivered across McDonough County, to combat summer reading loss and ensure families who need more books in the home, had them.  

The 2020-2021 United Way campaign encourages a McDonough United.  Your support helps thousands living in McDonough County and we know the only way we accomplish our goals are by working together as a community.  With over $5 Million raised in 50 years, together, we have

Fed nearly 400,000 county children and helped them flourish academically

Provided over 100,000 elderly citizens with meals, exercise, and social interaction

Helped one third of all county families and individuals receive legal counsel, mental health assistance, and work assistance

We are McDonough United.

Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.

Jill Beck, Executive Director

About Us

United Way is engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. We are focused on creating community-based and community-led solutions that strengthen the cornerstones for a good quality of life: health, education, and financial stability.

Our Board of Directors is always looking to expand and improve the quality of United Way and its positive impact on our community.

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