By Carol Anders Staff Writer
BOURBON — Allocations totaling $323,848 from the United Way of Marshall County were announced at the annual meeting last night.
Those agencies receiving funds included: American Red Cross, $40,000; Beaman Home, $9,000; Boy Scouts LaSalle Council, $5,083; and Boys & Girls Club of Marshall County, $47,000.

Others included: Community Hospital of Bremen $30,000; Care and Share, $4,000; Care and Share/211, $12,000; Community Coordinated Child Care (4 Cs), $3,516; Culver Boys & Girls Club, $10,278; Girl Scouts Singing Sands Council, $5,000; Heart & Hands, $21,472; Marshall County Council on Aging, $29,106; Marshall County Neighborhood Center, $33,517; Marshall-Starke Development Center, $24,655; Salvation Army, $3,267; and Women’s Care Center, $20,000.
United Way also sponsors a number of other programs throughout the county.
Those receiving funds included: Adult Basic Education, $5,000; Culver Babe Ruth League, $250; Culver Boy Scout Troop #209, $750; Culver Boy Scout Troop #269, $500; Culver Cub Scout Troop #290, $750; Culver Girl Scouts, $1,500; Culver Golden Agers, $1,900; Culver Little League Baseball (park league), $4,500; Culver soccer, $1,500; Gift of Warmth, $1,554; Marshall County Single Parent Program, $6,100; Union Township 4-H, $850; and Union Township Emergency Fund, $800.
Board member Mary Wood made the allocation announcements. Wood was also given the president’s award for service by President of the Board Vickie Talcott.
Campaign Chair for 2007 Brad Serf, shared his thoughts on the campaign.
“It is a great group of people pulling in the same direction,” Serf said. “Thank you very much for the privilege of serving in this role.”
Chair for 2008, Ed Ruiz, set the tone for the year. Ruiz said kiddingly, “I will let you go as soon as you raise $500.”
In a more serious moment he said, ”When the economy is softening up or people perceive that it is, they are reluctant to give more. But more people become needy.”
Board members elected during the meeting include: Tom Blackburn, Greg Compton, Duane Culp, Chad Dreibelis, Paul Murasko and Ron Zeltwanger. Jennifer Straw was re-elected for a term that will expire in 2011.
Argos Schools Superintendent Barb Flory was elected to fill the term of Dr. John Hill. Hill retired from the Plymouth Schools in January and accepted a position at Purdue University.
United Way board officers for the 2008-09 year include President Vickie Talcott, Vice-President Rick Kreps, Treasurer Jim Wagner and Secretary Sharon Blubaugh.
Retiring board members include: Pat Birk, Jackie Davis, Chris Felke, Dr. John Hill, Rev. Tom Hostetler, Tom Langdon and Dave Morrow. The student representative, Jocelyn Kinsey, will also be leaving the board.