To the editor:

What does Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Student Emergency Fund Grants, Power of the Produce (tokens for children to buy produce), and Junior Achievement (classes for students taught by community members regarding financial security) have in common? The United Way of Southwest Minnesota!

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) is reaching the end of its yearly campaign. The goal of the campaign this year is $625,000 which is an increase of $25,000 over last year’s goal.

Currently, the campaign stands at $538,581.50 and we are asking for your help to help us meet our goal. Your donation big or small will make a local difference.

My family and I have been active in the UWSWMN because what is raised local stays local. As a Marshall business owner, mother of small children, and a resident of Minneota, investing in the UWSWMN just makes sense.

Over the last five years, United Way of Southwest Minnesota has re-invested more than $2.3 million locally to benefit the lives of our friends and neighbors, including in those programs listed above. The UWSWMN service territory includes the following counties: Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and portions of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles and Redwood.

The annual campaign ends on Feb. 1 and as mentioned, we are currently short of meeting our goal for this campaign year. Please consider investing in your local community and making our goal by calling the United Way office at 507?929?2273, mail a contribution to UWSWMN, PO Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258 or by going online at www.unitedwayswmn.org and clicking on the Donate box.

Thank you for your investment in southwest MN!

Amie Ascheman

United Way of Southwest Minnesota Board Member and current chair