By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorYouth In Need works on creating successful opportunities for children and families.As the recipient of a $2,500 grant through First State Community Bank’s Community KickStart contest, those events will be a little easier to come by.Youth In Need was the top vote-getter out of 10 local nonprofit groups, including four finalists, who competed against each other to win the contest’s top prize.“It’s a tremendous help,” said Amy Merritt, county director for Youth In Need’s Head Start program.“We are so large and anytime we have an event for our families it’s quite costly,” she said. “But we like to create opportunities for families, to not only strengthen them, but to connect with other families and to go do stuff in the community that they might not be able to do otherwise.”Youth In Need provides a number of programs for children, youth and family members including educational, development, counseling and residential treatment initiatives. Headquartered in St. Charles, the agency covers a six-county area and serves more than 20,000 annually.In Warren County, the agency operates a Head Start program and partners with the Warren County R-III School District to better prepare preschool students. It also operates the Marvin Marks Child Development Center at 1022 Steinhagen Road in Warrenton.Besides the community engagement events, the grant funds also will be used to purchase educational items for the organization’s playground at the Marvin Marks facility.“That way (students) have more of the classroom experience outside,” Merritt said. “We have some stuff we would like to purchase for the fencing where students can draw and paint. It will be traditional classroom activities that can be used outside.”The other three finalists in the KickStart contest were Tribute to Veterans Memorial, Warren County Ambulance District Explorer Post 1599 and Boy Scout Pack 835. They each received $200.Other local organizations competing for votes were Strong Tower Ranch, Warren County Senior Center, Emmaus Homes, Warren County Handicap Services and Relay For Life of Warren County.The contest allowed the public to vote for its favorite local nonprofit organization. Voting was held in October.Approximately 1,750 votes were tallied at one of the First State Community Bank branches in Warrenton and Wright City, and on the Warren County Record’s website (warrencountyrecord.com).This was the second year in a row for the KickStart contest. In 2014, Agape was the top vote-getter and used the grant funds to launch its Operation Orange Bag program.Merritt said Youth In Need was appreciative of the support received during the contest.“We thought it would be a great opportunity for us,” she said. “It also raised awareness for what we do.”First State Community Bank presented a check for $2,000 to Youth In Need for tallying the most votes in the bank’s Community KickStart contest. Pictured above are representatives of the bank and Youth In Need. Tim Schmidt photo.
Cindy Wright, of Warrenton, was announced as the winner of a Fitbit. Wright's name was randomly drawn from approximately 1,570 votes tallied in the contest.
Boy Scout Pack 835Warren Co. Ambulance Explorer Post 1599Tribute to Veterans Memorial
