This Week's Program: Cloquet United Way
Chad Spillers welcomed Ali Bilden Camps, Executive Director of the Cloquet United Way. Ali said she has been with United Way for 2 years now and admitted that she is a member of the Cloquet Kiwanis Club. Brave woman!
She reported that United Way is the largest non-profit in the US with 1200 community organizations. Each community organization is community based and community funded. The Cloquet United Way had a goal of raising $225,000 last year and exceeded that goal. Some of the projects they support are Imagination Library, where our Rotary Club was the largest donor. This project which started in 2012, gives one free book a month to pre-school children. This year books are going to 250 kids, and since 2012 they have reached 700 children. The Cloquet United Way started in 1956 as the Community Chest and now is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The organization is run by volunteers, with one paid executive director. Another program they are involved in is Community Connect, a collaboration of United Way, Community Education, and the County Health Department. This program holds a one stop shop day for people to have access to non-profits in the area. Last year 250 people attended, and they could use volunteers to help this October. Other events include the Food & Nutrition Network, Taste Fest, and the Hot Dish Cook Off. Ali handed out free cookbooks from this event. Thank you Ali!