The Carthage United Way is in the midst of its 2009 fund drive. The goal is to raise $310,000 to distribute to area groups and agencies that help people. 

In past  issues The Carthage Press told you about the food pantries run by the Salvation Army, Crosslines and the Crisis Center. 

We’ve also presented information about the American Red Cross, Camp Quality, the Family Literacy Center, Lafayette House, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts.

These are nine of the 14 agency members of the Carthage United Way that benefit from the money raised in Carthage. 

Over the next few issues, The Press will tell you about the other agencies in the United Way, leading up to the finale of the campaign at the end of this month.

In this issue, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics of Kansas City answers questions about its organization.

Q. What do you do? 

A. From our beginning as a single bed in 1897, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City has grown into the pediatric specialty provider of choice for families throughout the region. Working closely with community physicians and hospitals, Children’s Mercy makes the highest quality pediatric expertise available for serious and chronic conditions, as well non-critical care. We are here for all children.

Q. Who benefits from your service?

A. Children’s Mercy is committed to providing service excellence and efficiency to everyone we serve. A not-for-profit hospital, we provide millions of dollars in charity care each year. We achieve our high standards through leadership in clinical care, education and research, all focused exclusively on children and their unique needs.  We serve all children, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Q. How do people access your services? 

A. Children’s Mercy offers more than 40 pediatric specialty services and the area’s highest and most comprehensive level of neonatal intensive care.  We also provide the region’s only level I pediatric trauma center.  Parents may make an appointment by telephone and learn more about our services at www.childrensmercy.org.  Children’s Mercy has eight specialty Outreach Clinics in Southwest Missouri that may be contacted directly by telephone.

Q. What does your service mean to Carthage, Jasper County residents?

A. In 2008, 1,096 children from Jasper County received inpatient care at Children’s Mercy.  2,707 children received outpatient care.  Our transport team provides 24 hour dispatched critical care transport to the area via fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, or ambulance.  Children’s Mercy has over 

Q. What does the support from the Carthage United Way mean to your group?

A. Support from the Carthage United Way helps Children’s Mercy provide care to hundreds of children from the Carthage area whose families cannot pay.  In 2008, Children’s Mercy provided over $7 million in charity care to children from the area.  The Carthage United Way was able to pay $22,000 towards charity care.  We are very grateful for the support.