UPCOMING EVENTS

GARDENERS WANTED!

You’re invited to a community roundtable for everyone who grows things!

Whether you've been gardening for forty years or killed your first tomato plant last summer, you have something worth sharing, and something you'd love to ask.

Join us for an open round table discussion. No lecture, no experts at the front of the room. Just gardeners trading questions, hard-won advice, and the occasional cautionary tale.

Bring a few questions. Bring a success story, or the one that got away. Everybody leaves with new ideas for next season.

Monday, November 16 · 6:00 PM

United Way of Wapello County

224 E Second St, Ottumwa, IA 52501

Register online https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Qp46CvxRnZ

or

RSVP to Brenda

641-682-1264 · b.jones@wapellocouw.org

Free and open to the public

A program of the Community Food Pantry Gardens

 Way Poster & Essay Contest

United Way of Wapello County invites third-grade students to show us how they help make our 2026 Kids community a better place.

Using the theme UNITED IS THE WAY, students draw an original picture of something kind they have done for their family or community, then write one or two sentences describing it. Pencil, pen, crayon, marker, or paint — all welcome.

Entries are judged on understanding of the theme, creative use of the theme, design, neatness, and spelling.

 Who can enter

Any 3rd grade student who lives in Wapello County, regardless of which school district they attend. Students at Ottumwa, Cardinal, Eddyville, and Pekin schools are all eligible, as are homeschool students.

Awards

·   Every participant receives a certificate

·   One winner is chosen from each classroom, receives a special prize, and advances to the final round

·   1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are selected from the classroom winners and receive Grand Prizes

·   Winning entries may be featured during the 2027 United Way Campaign

Deadline

All entries are due by December 1, 2026.

How to enter

Print the entry form and have your student complete the drawing and description. Students should fill in their name, teacher, school, and grade on the form — including students turning entries in independently.

Completed entries can be turned in two ways:

·   Give it to the student's teacher

·   Drop it off at the United Way office, 224 E Second St., Ottumwa, Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

 Download the entry form (PDF) 

 Questions? Contact Brenda Jones at 641-682-1264 or b.jones@wapellocouw.org.