Every month, hundreds of southwest Michigan children receive a brand new book in their mailbox: a special gift from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Every Friday throughout the school year, dozens of children open their lockers to a shiny red backpack stuffed full of food they can cook themselves throughout weekends they may have otherwise gone hungry.

Every spring and fall, volunteers hit the streets to rake lawns and clean gutters for seniors who struggle with yardwork.

Hundreds of people call 211, a service that connects people in need with resources they need to help pay bills, feed their families, find shelter, connect with doctors and more.

All of these programs, and so many more, are made possible by United Way of Southwest Michigan, and United Way is made possible by exceptional people who generously donate to these causes.

As I’ve gotten to know the team at United Way of Southwest Michigan throughout the last couple of years, I have been repeatedly impressed by the hard-working staff that goes above and beyond the call of duty to give back to this community. President Anna Murphy has built a wonderful team of dedicated individuals who love to have a good time for a good cause.

So when our United Way representatives asked me if Leader Publications would consider acting as pacesetters for the 2017 campaign, I responded with a resounding, “of course!”

Following in the United Way’s footsteps, we felt there was no better way to raise money for a good cause than by having a good time.

Next Thursday, Aug. 17, the Leader Publications staff will host a community carnival in conjunction with Niles’ Third Thursday to thank the community for their generous donations and help kick off United Way’s annual campaign to fund another year of service to Berrien and Cass counties.

Everyone is invited to this family-friendly event at the new Club Fifty5, located at 104 N. Third St. in the former Elks Lodge. From 6 to 8 p.m. we will offer food, carnival-style games, pony rides, a silent auction, a photo booth and plenty of other opportunities to support United Way and have a ton of fun.

There is no charge to attend the event, and all fundraisers are inexpensively priced. Just as every penny counts in your family’s budget, every penny adds up to helping United Way help those in need in Berrien and Cass counties.

Businesses interested in donating to the silent auction may still do so until Friday. Please contact Donna Knight at (269) 687-7717 if you are interested, or if you have questions about the event.

We are so excited to see you all Thursday. Come on down and have a good time!

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700 or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.