SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Child Safety Initiatives

United Way of Bedford County implemented a child safety initiative in October 2006.  A grant through Jostens Foundation was awarded to implement the project.  Since its inception in October 2006, over 1,650 Child ID kits have been distributed to children in Bedford County.  The 3^rd annual Child Safety Day is scheduled for October 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at H.V. Griffin Park.  Please contact the United Way office at 684-6685 for additional information.

Child car seat safety checks were also added as an additional event in 2007.   Medi-Facts Child Seat Kits, sponsored by Shepenco, were distributed when the child’s car seat was inspected by a THP officer.  THP officers inspected 19 child seats the day of the event in 2007.  Child car seat safety checks will be included in the Child Safety Day for 2008.

The child identification kit was designed to keep a photo, fingerprints, medical and dental information, DNA sample, and other information useful for emergencies.     

"Stuff The School Bus," a drive to collect school supplies for needy children, has been a resounding success.  The supplies and support received from the Bedford County community was beyond belief.  During the month of July and August 2007 supplies were collected through 21 drop boxes throughout Bedford County and a day-long event held at Wal-Mart Supercenter.  More than 6,000 items were collected -- and that counts, for example, a plastic bag of pencils as one item, not each individual pencil.  

The number of items for each school was based on poverty level and age appropriateness and were delivered to schools on September 5^th.  Guidance counselors at each school will be in charge of making sure that the supplies are given to children who can benefit from them.

 
*Drop-Site Locations*
(Through the month of July)
2008 Stuff the Bus Flyer Download

Bedford Co. Education (Central Office) • Bedford County Chiropractic • Bedford County Medical Center • Bell Buckle Café • Dr. Jimmy Clark, DDS • First Community Bank (Elm Street) • First Community Bank (Madison St.) • First Community Bank (North Main St.) • FirstBank • H&H Piggly Wiggly (Unionville)

Heritage South Credit Union • Kut Ups Family Hair Design • Peoples Bank of Bedford Co. • Pinnacle Financial • Regions Bank (Main Branch) • Regions Bank (Elm Street) • Regions Bank (East Branch) • Shelbyville Recreation Center • Stor-N-Lock • USBank • Wartrace Town Hall

Prescription Drug ~ Discount Card

Prescription drug discount cards may be obtained from local participating partner agencies or by calling United Way of Bedford County.  Most pharmacies accept these prescription drug discount cards.  They have no usage limits, age requirements or registration forms. 

The cards are being distributed free of charge, courtesy of United Way of Bedford County and other participating United Way agencies around the country, as part of a $10 million donation of discount prescription cards from Membership Services Corporation, affinity marketing and strategic sourcing company located in Bethlehem, PA, and its industry partners. 

The cards can reduce prescription drug costs by an average of 20 percent. Additional information is available at United Way of Bedford County and online at www.familywize.com .

According to a report received from Membership Services Corp, the prescription drug discount cards have saved Bedford County residents over $17,000 for the 2007 year.