Homers -- What's going right

UNITED WAY RECORD: United Way of East Central Iowa's 2011 campaign raised a record $10,581,690. That figure, combined with more than $700,000 in grants and sponsorships and $1.8 million worth of volunteer time, adds up to nearly $13.1 million in assistance to 45 partner agencies working to improve children's education, families' financial stability and residents' health.

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DANCE MARATHON, TOO: The 18th annual student-run Dance Marathon at the University of Iowa on Feb. 3-4 collected a record $1,369,147 with 2,500 people participating. Before the 2012 event, the Dance Marathon had raised more than $9.8 million for the UI Children's Hospital.

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FEMA SWITCH: Dozens of Iowans, including at least 47 in Linn and Johnson counties, who were told to return federal assistance payments improperly awarded after the natural disasters of 2008 and 2010 may not have to pay them back. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, following action by Congress, can apply for a waiver if the payment in question was because of a FEMA error and repayment would cause serious financial hardship.

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