Heartland United Way educates the community on the importance of giving back

GRAND ISLAND, Neb.— Heartland United Way is gathering donors to show how their contributions are helping the various communities.

Heartland United Way is a nonprofit committed to improving lives and creating possibilities for individuals and families across Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties. 

The annual Tour of Agencies allows donors to travel around Grand Island and the surrounding areas to see what each of their 20 community partners are doing with donations.

Campaign chairs are setting the standard for unity by tagging along to the nonprofits for questions and to learn.

“We need to support the whole community in supporting United Way," said campaign chair Tonja Brown. "We're here for everyone else here that's on that bus."

Through the event, businesses and individuals are able to talk with partners about where the donations are going, resources because of the donations and how they can continue to help.

By educating partners and donators, the campaign chairs believe they can unite an even larger crowd within the four counties.

“We don't know the way these people and organizations work without getting to know them better," said campaign chair Kent Brown. "It's actually a lot of fun to hear the stories and see what they're doing.

Some of the most notable nonprofits include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Nebraska, Teammates of Grand Island, Girl Scouts, YMCA and the American Red Cross.