admin @ Fri, 2006-09-22 11:00
LAUGHLIN - A volleyball tournament that had 35 local teams competing for the winning trophy brought in crowds on Thursday for the biggest event of the year for United Way of the Colorado River Region.
The event also gave the community a chance to meet United Way agencies and see what resources they have to offer, said United Way volunteer Jessi Fairgrief.
“The whole community gets together to provide the burgers, the hot dogs," she said. “There's not a lot of community events anymore where you can come out and eat and find out about all the organizations. A lot of people don't even realize these organizations are out there, so it lets them know what's available."
John Anderson, president of the board of directors of United Way, said that coming from a big metro area in Southern California left him skeptical about United Way and where their money goes. But he later found the money stays local.
“If more and more people could understand if they donate $25 or $75, about 85 percent will end up going to the local agencies," he said.
“It's great," said Nancy Kirkpatrick, board member of the Colorado River Food Bank Community Closet. “It's the only thing the United Way asks us to do all year and they've given us lots of grants. ... It's all a big family fair. It brings out the family."
Barb Carver, director of the Teenage Parenting Program (TAPP), set up a booth with information on anything from STDs to how to say no to sex and keep your boyfriend. She said the teens who are not comfortable asking questions still have the information available to them.
This is cache, read story here