By Scott Underwood
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
Local United Way officials took advantage of a sunny Tuesday afternoon to not only announce annual fundraising objectives, but to introduce community leaders to a project to promote early-childhood education.
With the help of the Community Alliance to Promote Education (CAPE) — and assists from Anderson Rotary, the City of Anderson and Clifford, the Big Red Dog — officials cut the ribbon to open the Rotary Born Learning Trail at Pulaski Park. It’s the fifth Born Learning Trail in the county, and the second with signage in both English and Spanish.
The family-friendly walking trail’s signs encourage parents and their kids to learn by interacting with the environment.
“The trail is designed to point out the importance of everyday moments,” explained Mary Lee Ewald of CAPE, pointing out that most learning occurs before the age of 5. “These are learning moments, and parents should take advantage of them.”
The signs bear suggestions to engage trail walkers, such as:
“Talk. Listen. Sing. Talk it up while you play. Listen to the birds. Ask, what are they singing? Can you sing like them?”
The United Way of Madison County supports local nonprofits that provide a range of services, including early-childhood education. To fund such programming, United Way officials embark each summer on an annual fundraising campaign.
Campaign chairperson Dana Donahue announced Tuesday at Pulaski that this year’s goal is $850,000, roughly equal to last year’s campaign results. Donahue said the campaign committee hopes to raise the money through a combination of corporate gifts, individual gifts and events.
The theme of this year’s campaign is “Better Tomorrows,” with a focus on funding programs that create brighter futures for children, families and the community overall, local United Way President Nancy Vaughan said.
Campaign activities will include the Indiana Derby auction Oct. 2 at Hoosier Park, and an online auction in November. An annual weatherization of about 75 homes belonging to the elderly and low-income families is scheduled for Nov. 6. The final fundraising campaign report is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 14.
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Contact Scott Underwood: scott.underwood@heraldbulletin.com; 640-4845.
