Shopping locally is topic at chamber meeting
Staff writer
How to get people to "shop at home" is still a big issue for the Retail Sales Committee of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, and for many business people.
That was a big part of Troy Leith's message to the 18 people attending the monthly Chamber noon luncheon meeting Friday at McGillicuddy's Restaurant.
Loyalty of the populace to local businesses is the thorny issue. What inspires loyalty to a firm? Businesses need to be educated on this in order to survive, he said.
Anyone with ideas or statements such as "who I'm loyal to, and why" is invited to share them with Chamber Executive Director Margo Yates at chinga@southwind.net, by phone (382-3425), or at her office.
Jessie Nickel, chairman of the Advisory Council of Marion County United Way, said the umbrella agency is accepting agency applications from Marion County through Sept. 5.
Needs, how the agency is funded now, the amount of funding help needed, and other information items will be needed on the application, she said.
The campaign for Marion County United Way will kick off Sept. 1. This is UW's first year in Marion County. The local agency will be an affiliate of United Way of Harvey County.
Volunteers for the campaign will be needed, Nickel said. She will be visiting with various businesses. Fifteen to 20 people from throughout Marion County are needed to serve on the county group's allocations committee and on the campaign committee — not just people from Marion and Hillsboro, she said. This is the biggest need right now.
Lee Ann Smith, of Hesston, executive director of UW of Harvey County, was the principal speaker. She said it is difficult to get a United Way chapter or affiliate "going."
There are stiff criteria regarding financial status and auditing that must be met, Smith said.
While it was not feasible for Marion County to create its own UW, this was a natural fit for these two counties, and "Harvey County has nothing to lose," she said.
The Harvey County UW has existed since 1952, Smith said. There are about 12 agencies in Marion County that are expected to apply for UW aid, she said. They include the American Red Cross, Boy and Girl Scouts, Communities in Schools, and others.
United Way helps a variety of charities with a variety of needs, Smith said. In order to be eligible for UW help, the organization must be one that benefits human health or human services.
The allocations committee for Marion County will have a diverse makeup, representing all areas of the county, she said.
Its members will be representatives of UW donor firms or individuals in the county. Money raised will remain in Marion County, to help Marion County groups.
"Marion County people will be making the decisions, too, through the allocations process," Smith said.
This will be the only such affiliate agreement in the United States, she said. Only 20 of 40 groups who applied to become United Way groups "made it" in 2002, she added.
It's "a selflessness thing," she said. "This will be a model for others. We will unite and link resources. Connecting people is a very rewarding job. There is a steady force of service and connection."
Harvey County has a population of about 30,000, Smith said. Marion County's population is about 13,200.
Marion County has its own UW brochures, and Smith distributed some of them Friday. A statement on the front cover says "When you find solutions in a community, it shows."
Inside, it says, "When you join forces with others, your contribution has more impact."
It says a UW investment is magnified by the investments of others, and has the power to bring about changes that matter in the community. Contributing helps more than one person or one charity.
United Way is the collective power of people working toward long-term solutions, not short-term fixes, says the brochure.
Children, seniors, and adults are among those helped by UW, it also says.
Brenda McGinness, co-proprietor with her husband, David, of McGillicuddy's Restaurant, said the Kraft Korner, at 404 East Main, which they also own, will be 12 years old in October. Such outlets usually last only two to three years at most, experts say.
The Flower Shoppe will be starting up again soon, she said. Amanda Overlin will be the florist. A grand opening will be Sept. 8. Delivery of orders will be free in Marion, with a fee charged for delivery to other county towns.
Judy Christensen spoke about the 25th annual Art in the Park and Craft Show, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 in Marion's Central Park.
Local Boy Scouts will help people load and unload and will "patrol the park all night," Christensen said. This is the only craft fair in Kansas that makes use of Scouts in this way, she said.
Christensen and Kevin Fruechting both said the Marion show is very popular with exhibitors and crafts people. Many remarks have been heard about the beautiful park and friendly people here.
"It's a great event," people tell her, Christensen said. Everyone is willing to help out, Fruechting said he's been told by out-of-towners.
