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Helping the helpers

Dear Editor:For the past 23 years, Family Visitor Programs has been providing pregnant women and families of young children with support and education that helps parents learn and their babies thrive. Each year our agency serves over 500 families in the Aspen to the Parachute region.In order to provide these services we must raise over $400,000 each year from foundations, individuals, and local municipalities. Pitkin County’s funding has been an essential and valued piece of this funding puzzle. I can attest that the funding environment during the past five years has been difficult. Voting yes on Question 1A ensures the continuation of this crucial funding that enables local non-profit organizations to help you, your family and your neighbors with essential health and human service needs.In two weeks, the voters of Pitkin County have the opportunity to vote yes on Question 1A to support the Healthy Community Fund. The renewal of this property tax – approximately $5.27 per $100,000 of residential annual property value – will provide critical funding to nonprofit organizations that offer health and human services to the residents and workers of Pitkin County.In 2002, when state and federal funding to health and human service agencies continued to decline, Pitkin County voters overwhelmingly voted to support the initial Healthy Community Fund. Because of your support, Pitkin county residents and workers from all stages and walks of life received uninterrupted essential health services from more than 40 valley-wide nonprofit organizations. Generating almost $1 million in 2006, the authorization for this tax ends this year. If it is not replaced, vital services will be cut!Help the helpers – Please vote yes on Question 1A to support the Healthy Community Fund.Sandy SwansonExecutive director, Family Visitor ProgramsGlenwood Springs