Organizations seek funding from county

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

MORAN

Warren County’s Health and Welfare Committee met for a third time to hear the last of the non-profit organizations’ budget requests. Though Monday’s final meeting had the least number of groups represented, it featured the most monetary requests. Representatives from seven organizations solicited funds that totaled well over $1 million.

The county’s Sanitation Department, represented by director Steve Hillis, submitted a budget of $911,982 for the year. Though by far the most significant amount requested by any organization, it was still some $5,000 less than the previous year, prompting positive comments from several committee members.

The Warren County Health Department asked for $107,332 from the county. Their representative, Glenda Holland, noted this is same amount requested the previous year.

Rhonda Moran appeared for a newly formed youth football league called the Traveling Titans which is part of a larger parent league called the Midstate Youth Football League. The group has four local teams with children who range from 7 to 14 years of age. The group asked the county for $12,000 to help get the league under way.

Making its first request for funds was a relatively new organization called Young Men United, represented by Wayne Wolford. The group was established in 1998 by current president Nelson Ramsey to provide mentors for the community’s children and help for families in need. They also have a scholarship program to aid in continuing education. The group asked for $5,000 to supplement its own fund-raising efforts.

Morris Holt was on hand for the Constable Association which requested $3,600.

Structured Athletics for Challenged Children presented one of the most emotional pleas of the evening as its representative, David Carden, explained how the group allows physically challenged children to enjoy competing in various sports.

There are currently 22 children enrolled. The group uses a buddy system with volunteers from the WCHS Excel Club and Boyd Christian School so each child has someone to facilitate their participation. Carden, who is also one of the group’s coaches, pointed out the importance of the program to the kids involved.

“When they go to school and see their buddies that have been assigned to them, they are friends already, everybody knows them,” said Carden. “It’s a joy to me to be a part of this.” The organization requested $1,000.

Committee chairman Wayne Pryor noted it would be difficult for the members to make decisions on the budgets submitted by the various non-profit groups until the state has prepared its budget. A motion was made and passed to hold off on the requests until a state budget was put in place and they had more information on what sort of state funds would eventually be available to the county.