If anyone at the Hormel Historic Home Wednesday noon had doubts about what the United Way means to the community, Carlton Frank laid them to rest.

Frank, executive director of Community Technologies and Services (CTS), told about 70 people gathered for the United Way of Mower County’s annual campaign kick-off that the United Way helped make possible the work of his agency and many others.

CTS provides mental health services to 140 to 150 people in the region, often people with the most difficult cases. Often, those that CTS helps don’t have insurance or government benefits; last year, the agency provided $67,000 of unfunded care. “United Way has been a strong supporter of our agency doing that,” Frank said.

United Way’s support has been particularly important since state help for people with mental health problems has largely evaporated, he said.

“Thank you so much for your support and contributions,” Frank said. “It’s very important to what we do. It’s important to our communities.”

United Way of Mower County aims to raise $965,000 in this fall’s campaign. The organization uses the donations to fund specific programs of non-profit agencies designed to help individuals and families in the community.

More information about the United Way of Mower County is at www.uwmower.org.