Volunteer in Harvey County United Way

to improve lives by mobilizing communities to create a network of support, break barriers, and build opportunities for every person.

Since 1955, Harvey County United Way has been making long-lasting impacting the community. In the 60 years since, the lives of thousands of residents of all ages and in all communities have been improved as a result.

But it didn’t start out that way. A group of area leaders originally formed a “Community Chest” to raise money for local charities.

In 1954, Walter Claassen was serving as the President and helped guide the organization into a United Way. Annual Meeting notes from February 1955 include a debate over the relationship with the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and the Newton Community Chest.

The chief concern of the day, of course, was polio. And in that time it impacted every community across the nation. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was refusing to accept funds collected in “united fund drives,” instead insisting upon holding its own drives as many as four or five times a year.

In 1955, the Harvey County Community Chest Association campaign totaled $49,294. Our friends at First Bank estimate that amount would equate to over $430,000 in today’s dollars.

While polio is no longer a dominant force, the community faces many more afflictions with far-reaching implication. Fortunately, thanks to hundreds of donors, we face those challenges head-on through the work of our Community Investment, Community Impact and Special Projects programs.