...local happenings

Four area child care providers receive regional awards

Four area child care providers were recognized as Quality Child Care Providers on May 12, 2006 during National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Each recipient received a $1,000 award. Funding for this award was made possible through the ELOA Ready, Set, Go! Grant.  Grant partners include United Way of Southeastern Idaho, United Way Success By 6, and Partners for Prosperity.  

Licensed providers throughout Bannock, Bingham, and Bonneville Counties as well as Fort Hall and the City of Rexburg were eligible to apply.  Each provider had to complete a questionnaire and provide three letters of recommendation from a director, colleague, or parent. Site visits were made to each semi-finalist before the final selections were made.

Awards went to, from left to right, Renee Hooker from Tender Loving Care Child Care Center in Pocatello, Angie Anderson from Little People’s Academy in Idaho Falls, Keann Peck from Keann’s Learning Center in Blackfoot, and Kathy Reynolds from Funshine Home Away from Home Center in Idaho Falls.    

United Way announces 2006-07 community investments of $1,021,782

Congratulations to every one of us in Southeastern Idaho!  Our community giving campaign, along with grants obtained by the United Way of Southeastern Idaho, will fund over $1 million in critically needed human services.  The primary recipient organizations are listed below, now with Bingham County funds added.  On their behalf and those of their clients, we offer you a heartfelt thanks.

Aid For Friends	$40,000
American Red Cross	$12,000
Bannock Youth Foundation	$35,000
Big Brothers, Big Sisters	$3,500
Bingham Crisis Center	$12,000
Blackfoot Senior Citizen's Center	$10,000
Boy Scouts	$46,000
Bright Tomorrows	$32,325
Camp Fire	$10,000
Camp Taylor	$10,000
6th Judicial CASA	$18,000
Compassionate Friends	$1,528
D.A.R.E./G.R.E.A.T.	$5,266
DAWN Enterprises	$5,000
Donor-specified gifts	$24,882
Early childhood initiatives	$431,075
Emergency Food & Shelter Program	$34,297
Family Service Alliance	$44,720
Foster Grandparents	$9,000
Girl Scouts	$29,500
Greater Pocatello Senior Ctr.	$10,000
Healthy Pocatello, Health Youth	$6,000
Help, Inc.	$2,000
Hurricane Katrina relief	$8,528
Idaho Foodbank	$40,000
IEA Children's Fund	$1,000
Meals on Wheels	$44,364
North Bingham County Food Bank	$4,000
Our Gathering Place	$5,000
Pocatello Free Clinic	$10,557
Pocatello Hockey Assoc.	$500
RSVP	$11,240
Radio Reading Service	$2,500
S.E.I.C.A.A.	$6,000
Shelley Senior Citizen's Center	$7,000
SOPHIA Foundation	$3,000
SPAN SE Idaho Chapter	$500
The Salvation Army	$45,500
United Way Success By 6	$12,050
TOTAL Community Investment	$1,021,782