About Us

We are a local, volunteer-driven organization working to improve the quality of life for Henry County residents.  We serve as a community problem solver & human services advocate.  We raise funds, mobilize volunteers, identify community needs, & build collaborations between the public and private sectors.

Through our annual campaign, funds are raised to help support seventeen area human service agencies.  These agencies work to improve the health, welfare, and safety of Henry County residents. 

Success Stories

Girl Scouts

Numerous Girl Scouts in Henry County are working toward their Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards. These three awards are the highest honors in Girl Scouting and are earned by girls after completing extensive service projects in their local communities. Some of the service projects being completed by Henry County Girl Scouts include teaching sign language, cleaning up the Knightstown City Park, volunteering at an animal shelter, and working with the Historical Society to archive and preserve Knightstown history. Another Girl Scout did a “walking talking” videotaped history of Knightstown. She spoke with elderly Knightstown residents to get their historical information about the town and then she toured and photographed historical parts of the town.  

DID YOU REALIZE…

Henry County has men, women, and children with individual and family needs.  Often, this need may be situational and one-time assistance can enable them to experience a positive change.  Other times, more effort might be needed to guide the family or individual in their pursuit of self-sufficiency.  Please take a moment to review our brochure outlining the human service programs supported by Henry County United Fund.  Read the sincere messages from our 2008 campaign co-chairs, Major Jay Davis of the Henry County Sheriff’s Department and Tom Sproles of Sproles Family Funeral Home.  Appreciate their perspective of how you can deliver essential support to those in our community with needs.

Henry County United Fund is proud that we have been a strong presence in working with the local community for over 70 years.  The funds raised during the annual campaign have a significant impact on improving people’s lives and community conditions ~ the dollars raised stay here to benefit Henry County residents.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Krissy’s Story

     It was a difficult time in Krissy’s life when her mother enrolled her in Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Her brother had passed away in 2003 and her father passed away in December of 2005.  Krissy was having a difficult time dealing with the tragic loss of two people who were an instrumental part of her life; that is when Krissy’s mother turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Henry County in the hope of giving her daughter something or someone positive in her life to help her cope with the loss she had encountered.  Mom wanted her daughter to have a positive role model and friend in her life that she could talk to about anything.

     It was in July 2006 when Krissy was matched with her Big Sister, Michele.  They sparked an instant friendship; they both have a passion for animals and being outdoors.  In the short time that they have been matched Michele has got Krissy involved in 4-H, where she will be riding Michele’s horse and she is also using her dog in Dog Club (dog obedience).  Krissy also has found a friend in Michele’s daughter who she spends a lot of time with.  Krissy stated that she loves Michele and feels as though she can talk with her about anything. 

     Through Krissy’s mom’s foresight and enrollment in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program she has been able to turn a very tragic situation into a positive friendship and learning experience for her daughter.  The time that Krissy and Michele spend together will be time that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

What results from my donation of time and dollars?

American Red Cross Non-Food Pantry  1,222 units of service in 2007. (things that you need, but cannot buy with food stamps)

3rd quarter of 2007 a woman residing in Christian Love Shelter gave birth to a healthy infant.  Glass half empty view:  an indigent Henry County infant to support; Glass half full view:  mother & child had a safe place to stay & case managers providing positive direction

Cancer Services of Delaware County/Little Red Door provides direct services to Henry County residents experiencing the physical and financial difficulties of cancer.

44 Big Brother or Big Sister volunteer mentor matches with Henry County children who have been labeled “at-risk” for increased drug/alcohol use, school   dropout, teenage pregnancy, etc.

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana distributed 271,153 pounds of food to Henry County Pantries in 2007.  Did you realize that?

Scoutreach (or urban scouting) is going strong in Henry County via the Boy Scouts collaboration with New Castle Housing Authority.  26 Youth from the housing units are participating in weekly programming.

Indiana 211

211 Fact sheet

Justin’s Story

     Justin was matched with his Lunch Buddies in March 2007.  The progress that Justin has made in this short period of time is evident to everyone.  Justin is more confident and outgoing.  He looks forward to Fridays when he gets to eat lunch with his buddies, Diane & Amy at the VIP table in the cafeteria.  During their meeting time they “catch-up” on the week’s activities and how he is doing in school as well as work on homework, play games or just hang out.  Before being matched with his Lunch Buddies it was not unusual for Justin to get in trouble at school; but since being matched, Amy and Diane have expressed to him the importance of being a good student and not getting in trouble and he is actually improving in this area.

    While it is too early to really determine the overall effect that the match will have on Justin it isn’t too early to realize that he loves the additional attention and support that he is receiving from his Lunch Buddies.  Justin has been heard telling his friends that they should get a Lunch Buddy, too.