Non-profit organizations are in need of funding and/or other resources to continue operating and providing for the better of the Ellis County community.

Fort Support will collaborate with four of United Way's partner agencies (First Call for Help, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Options) that each work to combat various social issues within the Ellis County community. Despite the differences in how each of these nonprofits impact the community, they all have the common problem of needing constant funding/resources to keep up with the needs of individuals that rely on them for help. First Call for Help works to relieve the impacts poverty has in Ellis County. They help provide resources to the community such as first step housing, rent and utility assistance, transient assistance, diaper stash, a food pantry, and meals on wheels. Salvation Army of Ellis County, a faith-based charity, works to help those in need within the community. They provide services like the Angel Tree at Christmas, food pantries, and a paper goods pantry. The American Red Cross provides a multitude of services across the nation including disaster relief, supporting military families, and being sites for blood donation drives. Their services span the nation with the help of volunteers and donors. Options is a non profit that services people affected by domestic abuse & sexual violence. They provide services including but not limited to: 24 hour safe shelter, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support counseling. All of these agencies play a major role in helping our community thrive.

Fort Support will work in conjunction with United Way of Ellis County to spotlight four different partner agencies during the months of February, March, and April by organizing various fundraisers and collection drives to resolve the most prevalent shortages each is facing.

February:

In an effort to spotlight First Call for Help we planned a few different fundraisers. The first one was a Valentine Day themed bake sale. We also organized two dine-to-donate events through Cancun Mexican Grill and IHOP. We planned to utilize the money raised to provide items for the hygiene, food ,and diaper pantries they provide to Ellis County. 

March: 

The plan for Salvation Army was to set up donation drop-off locations around Hays for a paper goods drive. We planned to contact four banks in Hays to be locations to collect donations that would then be gathered and donated to Salvation Army at the end of March. To highlight The American Red Cross we planned to host a blood drive at Fort Hays State University Campus. This blood drive was intended to be a back-up drive for the one held earlier in the month. We also planned to help run the blood drive the day of. 

April: 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month so we decided to highlight Options. We planned to organize a dine-to-donate fundraiser through Applebee's as well as complete a gift basket raffle. Our plan to obtain prizes for the raffle was to reach out to businesses around Hays and ask for donations to support our cause.