The 2010 Census is coming up fast.  By the middle of March, 2010 Census forms will be available.  For those who receive residential postal service, your census will be in the mail.  For those who receive postal services through Postal Office Box system, you will need to pick up a census at any one of a number of Be Counted sites.  Your local “Be Counted site’ is located at Shelton Senior Activities Center.

Why is the Census important?  The funds for over 140 federal programs are based upon census data.  Many of our school programs rely these federal dollars.  These include School Lunch Program, Title 1, Special Education, and Technology programs.  Most of our health care and low-income housing programs rely on federal funds.  For every Mason County resident NOT included in the census, Mason County loses over $14,000 per decade. 

Let’s be sure Mason County gets its FAIR SHARE of federal funds.  BE COUNTED! 

• It’s easy! --- 10 easy questions to be completed and mailed by April 15.   
• It’s safe!  No one, including the President of the United State can see your census data.  It’s your responsibility!  Completing a census every 10 years is one of the few activities stated in the US Constitution that the federal government is required to do. 

Since it is required, the federal government must do everything reasonable to complete the count.  If you DO NOT complete your census and mail it in by April 15, a federal census taker will show up at your home to get your information.  This costs more federal dollars, dollars that are not available for important federal programs like roads, employment, health care, and education.  BE COUNTED and get your census form in the mail by April 15, 2010.