I just couldn’t bring myself to talk about challenges this week. There are already enough of them in the news. So here’s a roundup of good things that are happening in Madison County.

Five community coordinators have been hired to expand the Born Learning initiative and a daylong training on “literacy parties” (home-based parties focused on developmental activities for parents and kids) has been scheduled for next month. The coordinators will be working across the county to facilitate, organize and implement outreach to new parents, play and learn groups, home-based literacy parties, community-based projects and “blast off to kindergarten” events. United Way also received a $2,000 grant from Kiwanis of West Anderson for purchase of our first Born Learning trail, a set of learning activities designed to be installed in a public place such as a park.

The Community Access Network partners have set a goal of 150 clients entered into the shared database and 50 working on long-term developmental issues by the end of the year. The partners are also discussing the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance community plan that is a JobSource/United Way collaboration. They will be working on expanding the location and times for VITA assistance throughout the county, and two “Super Saturday” VITA events have been scheduled at the Wigwam in February.

Last week’s online/Hoosier Park Derby Eve Gala auction brought in more than $10,000 in bids — a healthy increase over last year’s event. Early campaign returns are also looking good — with many increases noted.

Interest is high for the Nov. 1 Operation Weatherization. This year’s event will assist residents in Alexandria, Anderson, Elwood and Pendleton. There’s still time to sign up to help — just give us a call at (765) 643-7493.

The Indiana Natural Disaster Fund committee is putting the final touches on a $100,000 grant request to the Indiana Association of United Ways to assist with local disaster preparedness planning, education and response coordination. The funds are part of a $45 million award from Lilly Endowment. The grant process has generated great discussion among committee members, including C.R. Brown, Madison County Emergency Management; Frank Dick and John Kinley, Anderson Emergency Management; Denny Benson, Red Cross; Nathan Harms, Salvation Army; Bev Graddy, Anderson Police Chaplaincy; Stephanie Grimes, Madison County Health Department; United Way committee chair Duane Hoak and yours truly.

Thanks to the generosity of Charles and Hazel Dickmann, the Madison County Bar Association recognized one of Madison County’s finest examples of “living united” when it presented Bill Hardacre with the organization’s Community Service Award. Bill is a former board member and campaign chair (along with his wife Ann) for United Way and has been a servant leader for many organizations. Bill and Ann were among the small group of original Madison Way members and continue to provide strong support to United Way and many other local organizations.

Later this week, the Boy Scouts will recognize another outstanding community servant when Bob Pensec receives the 2008 Distinguished Citizen award. Bob has also been a longtime member of Madison Way and serves numerous nonprofit organizations as a volunteer leader. Having the opportunity to get to know all of these community leaders is one of the great rewards of my job.

Finally, we have been experiencing the most positive and enthusiastic response to our local LIVE UNITED campaign that I have ever witnessed. People are calling us to get in a picture, buy a T-shirt, sign up to volunteer or to make a donation. There’s something to be said for helping people feel good. Thank you, Herald Bulletin, for giving Madison County this boost.

Nancy Vaughan is president of United Way of Madison County Inc.