The Kewanee Area United Way recently celebrated a significant boost to its annual campaign with support from local businesses, including a generous $8300 donation from PNB. This contribution exemplifies the longstanding commitment of area businesses to aid 50% of the local population through the United Way. Notably, the campaign incorporates the “Buck a Week” program, allowing employees from various organizations to contribute through payroll deductions. According to KAUW Executive Director Linda Blair, such collaborations are vital for maintaining essential services in the region. This support is crucial, especially during challenging times, ensuring continued assistance for many residents in Kewanee.
The “Buck a Week” program allows employees to donate through payroll deductions. This includes Peoples National Bank, Boss, Great Dave, Kewanee School District #229, Wethersfield School District #230, OSF, State Bank of Toulon, City of Kewanee, Caterpillar, and Black Hawk College, which have allowed this deduction for decades. According to the release, “It is a sustaining and important contribution that many people in this area use to help their neighbors, friends and family to have a better future.” In addition to employee contributions, many businesses also make a Corporate donation.”
“This has been a very tough year for many people, no less for the nonprofits who depend on donations to keep services available in this area. Without the many businesses in this area who partner with local providers and support those agencies, this area would have a vastly different landscape. In a period of time where services for rural areas are so important, the businesses in this area keep stepping up, in large or small ways to help. I couldn’t be prouder to partner with all of the Great businesses in this area like Breedloves, Cernos, Fernandos, The Eatery, Arby’s, Scooters, La Gondolas, Country morning, O’reilly’s, NAPA, Autozone, Creative Look, Blissful Branch, Krans Kafe, and Entwined and others. All of these businesses, and more through the years, have helped to support what is needed in this area,” says Linda Blair, KAUW Executive Director
