The Junior League initially awarded a generous grant of $8,000 to MCLC in 2001 to start Fishing for Words, a summer tutoring program at the Boys and Girls Club that was then to be continued as an after-school program in the fall of that year.
Knowing the grant was limited to the 2001-02 school year, we included in our application to the United Way for 2002-03 a request for an increase from the $8,500 they had awarded us in previous years to $18,000. Our explanation was that we could not continue the very popular Fishing for Words program unless the $8,000 amount previously given to us by the Junior League could be secured from other sources. In addition to this amount, we requested a slight increase of $1,500 toward general expenses.
I specifically related to the United Way committee members visiting the council that if we did not receive $8,000 in additional funds, the council would be unable to continue the Fishing for Words program. Although one of our tutors acted as a liaison with a couple who agreed to underwrite the summer program in 2002, we were unable to secure other grant money to continue the program once the school year began.
The article by Mr. Cox quotes a letter from Peggy Crutchfield which states, “The Fishing for Words program was discontinued and the funds allocated for 2002-2003 were used for other purposes. No notice or reason for the discontinuance was given to the United Way.”
As I clearly stated during interviews throughout the United Way’s application process that we would not be able to continue the program without the entire $8,000 needed for Fishing for Words, I am at a loss to understand why the United Way felt the council used the increase of $2,500 indiscriminately as it was not designated by them for Fishing for Words. As we had also requested a slight increase toward general expenses relative to other programs, we obviously believed the $2,500 increase over the previous year was the agency’s show of support even if it found it could not fund the Fishing for Words program.
The impact the Moore County Literacy Council has had on the community for more than 16 years is profound. Like many nonprofit organizations, the council constantly fights an uphill battle for funds. However, let’s not sully its track record by insinuating that money has been used in an inappropriate fashion.
June A. Vetter
Whispering Pines
The length limit on letters was waived to permit a fuller discussion of the issue.
