It’s hard to argue with the notion that our community has a lot to offer: amazing dining and entertainment, great heritage and character, and a strong business economy.
Here at VUE Magazine, we like to celebrate what is at the heart of those advantages, though, and we think that’s our people. The people who work tirelessly to help those in need and the people who band together to make our community be the best it can be—we believe they are our biggest asset.
Beginning in April, we used our pages to check in on how our United Way partner agencies were thriving in the wake of a life-changing year. We knew that they had gritted their teeth and continued to do their important work even during increasingly challenging environments.
We asked how they were doing and how we could help them continue to thrive.
Even during this, we knew that they were only the tip of the proverbial iceberg in our community—that they were a few of literally dozens of organizations just like them. And those organizations are made up of the most determined, most compassionate, and most caring people we know.
As we continue to share these stories, we hope that you will be inspired to be a part of their success in our community. We hope that you will share their stories with others who may not know what essential service they provide.
And we hope that you will find comfort in knowing that even when life shifts suddenly and when all the cards are stacked against them, these people and these organizations simply will not give up. They will be there to help you and help our community survive and heal.
They will do this because they are the best of what we have to offer as a community. They are good—and good will not stop.
We want to continue featuring charitable organizations that are continuing to do good for our community. If your charity has not been contacted about this feature, please reach out to Maggie Armon at 270-534-5265 or marmon@vuecommedia.com.
What is the mission of your organization?
We are dedicated to seeing communities develop through educating children, empowering women, and restoring families.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, we shifted from our multiple service programs to crisis response, including distributing life-saving meal packets to families across Uganda who were unable to afford basic necessities.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
JUNE 1 – AUGUST 31, 2021
Paxton Challenge
When you give to Beyond Uganda through the Fred Paxton Challenge, your donation will be matched up to $10,000! This is a great opportunity to double your giving to create a lasting impact.
OCTOBER 21, 2021
Annual Night of Celebration
Save the date for our annual Night of Celebration, a time to celebrate all that God has accomplished in Beyond Uganda in the last year and cast our vision for the year to come!
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Follow us on social media and share the story and mission of BU with your friends and family. Collectively, we can make the greatest impact! You can join our exclusive Bricklayer team, a group of individuals who commit to monthly giving that ensures our programs consistently impact the communities we serve across Uganda.
What is the mission of your organization?
Raise childhood cancer awareness, financially help families with a child on cancer treatment in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois, and donate to childhood cancer research.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic? We hit our knees in prayer to God for people to care enough to donate to our childhood cancer organization. Childhood cancer is not declining and we had to push hard. Book for Hope used Zoom for all board meetings. Our organization continued to host our Just Imagine®️ Childhood Cancer Walks.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefit your organization?
Our 6th Annual Just Imagine®️ Childhood Cancer Walk on Saturday, September 18th, 2021, at the McCracken County High School. We are excited to announce we will host our 2nd Annual Dancing for Gold™️ event in April 2022!
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
We need people to donate every month. If everyone in our community would donate $5.00 a month it would make a difference in the lives of families with a child diagnosed with cancer. The money stays in our region. We need people to hang walk flyers up in storefront windows, or anywhere to get the word out about the walk. People can register now for the walk at www. bookforhope.org/calendar. People can participate regardless of where they live by doing a virtual walk and we will ship their
t-shirt. They can walk on their time and their way. Of course, the walk will be in person, too. We need people to get walk team’s and if they have 25 people or more we can put the team name on the back of the t-shirts. We need volunteers for the walk.
All board members are unpaid. People can call Gaylon @ 270.519.6536 for more information
What is the mission of your organization?
CASA by the Lakes is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that recruits, trains, and supports quality volunteers whose mission is to advocate for the timely and safe placement of abused and neglected children, speaking for the best interest of children in court, and offering encouragement, stability, and hope during a complex and critical time in the lives of these children.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
It’s been over a year since the universal effects of the coronavirus pandemic were first felt. Children who are victims of abuse and neglect have been among the hardest hit. Social isolation and economic uncertainty have had far-reaching consequences. Our CASA advocates have stepped up to create a new normal when it comes to their continued advocacy on behalf of our CASA kids. They have held socially distant and virtual visits online, continued to write reports and testify in court, and helped point families towards needed financial resources. As we head into this new year, we at CASA by the Lakes are committed to making whatever adjustment necessary to support our CASA kiddos during this new normal.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
We will be holding several volunteer trainings, virtual and in person. We are planning a fun run in the fall, and we hope to move forward with our annual Friends of CASA banquet in April of 2022.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
COVID has hit the non-profit world hard in several areas. Our monetary donations decreased drastically, and so did the number of people signing up to volunteer. We encourage the community to step up and fill the gap; our kids need us now more than ever.
What is the mission of your organization?
Our mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities while on a horse.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
We didn’t have a fundraiser for the entire year of 2020. Our number of participants decreased by half, and our session two was completely canceled.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
Hoofs-n-Boots Summer Camp, Fred Paxton Fund Challenge, Golf Tournament, BBQ Barn Bash
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Donate
Community Foundation of West Kentucky
What is the mission of your organization?
The mission of the Community Foundation of West Kentucky is to promote, receive, manage and distribute charitable gifts to people in the West Kentucky Communities to meet their needs and improve their lives, both in the present and the future.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
We didn’t halt one thing other than in-person gatherings; we advanced our outreach and had the best fund-raising year ever.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
Fred Paxton Challenge starts in June through August. There will be monthly educational seminars. The Community Foundation and MSU just signed an agreement to create a Nonprofit Resource Center at the Paducah MSU Campus.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Support the local nonprofits as they ask for support in the Paxton Challenge, as the Community Foundation matches what they raise.
Easterseals West Kentucky
What is the mission of your organization?
Easterseals West Kentucky’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults of all abilities by promoting personal development, independence, inclusion, and equality.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
Easterseals West Kentucky has been successful in maintaining our mission through COVID-19. Our centers were closed for a short period last year, but we were eager to get our children, adults, and staff back to our centers. During the closure, our staff worked with our clients via virtual meetings providing fun activities and learning opportunities. Although operations are still not completely back to normal, we strive to make each day a special and successful one. We abide by the rules set by our government and licensing agencies to protect both our adult and children clients, while providing a learning and fun atmosphere. That is something that COVID-19 will not change at Easterseals West Kentucky!
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefit your organization?
Easterseals West Kentucky has been around for a long time, and we are proud to be one of the largest non-profits in our area. With that said, we have community involvement from local residents and organizations. Charity League of Paducah is one of our largest volunteers. This group of ladies has always organized the best events to raise money for Easterseals West Kentucky and we are proud to have their support. As 2021 moves on, it is our hope to have more events such as BBQ on the River, our annual HeArt and Soul Art Auction, Snowball, Telethon, and many more. Our Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) is partnering with Touchdowns and Tunes for their concert series this September. We will be collecting a fee for people to park in the lot of the ECEC, located at 801 N. 29th Street. It’s a short walk to the event at Carson Park. Parking for Touchdowns and Tunes will be available Friday, September 3rd starting at 5:30 p.m. and that following Saturday and Sunday starting at 12:00 p.m.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Due to the strict COVID-19 restrictions and the well-being of our clients, we are unable to have volunteers in our centers at this time. We are hoping the restrictions will soon be lifted and COVID goes away forever! We can’t wait to have our friends come back in the centers to volunteer. Monetary donations are always appreciated as well. Easterseals West Kentucky is always looking for ways to improve our programs, whether it be through evaluation and expansion, or creating new programs to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals living with disabilities. One thing that has not changed through the years, and more recently COVID-19, is the generous support of our community!
www.easterseals.com/westkentucky
What is the mission of your organization?
To provide love and support to our military men/women still serving in harm’s way in the Middle East and other areas around the world.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
We’ve tried several new strategies in fundraising. We’ve implemented more workdays but fewer people at each one.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
The largest one is the annual Bike Rally, called The Patriot Run, at Four Rivers Harley Davidson on the first Saturday in July. The BBQ on the River is our second largest one. That may or may not happen based on the city’s decisions.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Naturally, donations are at the top of the list, whether it be in items donated or in monetary form. Also, keep the volunteers coming to help with pre-packing and packing boxes.
LOTUS Children’s Advocacy & Sexual Violence Resource Center
What is the mission of your organization?
Support survivors. Strengthen families. Empower communities.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
We continue to provide services by telephone and telehealth, with in-person forensic services provided by appointment only. Crisis response and hospital advocates continue to support survivors by phone and by video with help from iPads.
Virtual Parent Cafes bring together caregivers in our community to connect and discuss topics related to parenting, and in-person, outdoor Parent Cafes have resumed with more to be scheduled.
We continue to educate our community about child abuse and sexual violence prevention through outreach packages, virtual and in-person programming.
Our community outreach has expanded to include both virtual and in-person activities. We recently held several in-person, outdoor awareness events throughout Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. We planned for more engagement opportunities in the spring and fall.
Restorative workshops for survivors in our community are taking place virtually (poetry workshops, guided meditation, and other enrichment activities) and will soon be offered in-person as well.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
We plan to hold several onsite outdoor events in the summer and fall, including card-making events, where community members can come to Lotus and create cards of support for survivors, children, and families. Additional opportunities on the horizon include a community open house, educational webinars, and Parent Cafe picnics.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Monthly giving is a great way to support survivors, strengthen families, and empower communities to end child abuse and sexual violence. Additionally, we invite new volunteers to enrich our mission with valuable expertise, perspectives, and passion. We also encourage our community to take action to ensure critical, life-saving services for survivors, children, and families by asking legislators to support the VOCA Fix legislation. Learn more about donating, volunteering, and activism at www.hopehealgrow.org/get-involved.
Starfish Orphan Ministry
What is the mission of your organization?
To meet the needs of orphaned children & their caregivers both locally & abroad.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
While we haven’t been traveling abroad, we have been able to continue helping those in need locally, all throughout quarantine.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
Keep an eye out for upcoming auctions, including one specifically featuring pieces from artist & Paducah native J. Nichols.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Starfish is continually in need of appliances, gently used furniture, kitchen items, and other household goods. These items are given at no cost to local single parents and other caregivers of children who are without one or both of their parents.
Tymeless Hearts
What is the mission of your organization?
To better the lives of those with congenital heart defects by promoting awareness and research while also providing family support and honoring those who lost their battles.
How has your organization shifted during the pandemic?
We have tried to have more online fundraisers so that we can continue helping heart families.
What events can the community look forward to in the next year that benefits your organization?
We are hopeful to have an Easter egg hunt, pictures with Santa, and our carnival again next year.
What can the community do RIGHT NOW to help your organization?
Follow us on Facebook, donate, volunteer, etc.
