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WHKY's, Hal Row volunteers for the Christmas Bureau
The Holiday Season Was Bright
Approximately, 1450 families were served at the 2008 Catawba County Christmas Bureau. In its 15th year, the Christmas Bureau set up shop at the American Legion Fairgrounds on Dec.15 & 16 to provide toys, clothing and food vouchers to pre-qualified families within Catawba County.
Spearheaded by Catawba County United Way, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Catawba, community banks, local credit unions, area churches, hospitals and various other companies and civic organizations, "The Teen Center" provided the opportunity for families with teens to select age appropriate gifts in addition to those available for their younger siblings. Kathy Lemmons, United Way volunteer who has served as Teen Center Coordinator for the past two years says "The last two years we have been able to provide two gifts and a Christmas stocking for families with teens between the ages of 13 and 18 provided they have younger siblings and are still in school. This year, the Teen Center provided gifts such as electronics, clothing, music, makeup, accessories, games, telescopes, art supplies just to name a few to approximately 434 teens." |
The Catawba County Christmas Bureau is a collaborative effort of The Salvation Army, Catawba County United Way, Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministries, Greater Hickory Christian Ministries and Toys for Tots. |
As we look forward to 2009 we are extremely pleased to announce that Mr. Rodney Miller, Director of Finance for Catawba County Government will serve as the 2009 Board President for your Catawba County United Way with Mr. John Smith, General Manager of Barnhardt Manufacturing serving as Vice-President. In addition, current CCUW Board Member, Mr. Larry Aiello, retired CEO of Corning Cable Systems will assume the role of Campaign Chair. Our community is very fortunate to have these extremely talented businessmen to lead us into 2009.
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2008 Campaign Update
Never Too Late to Invest in OUR Community - Catawba County |
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The 2008 Campaign totals are not final yet as there are still some companies in Catawba County who have not finished up their campaigns. Jack Severens, Resource Development Director reports that currently, we have approximately $1,320,000 (which represents 66% of goal) reported as pledges or donations however, he does expect the final totals to be down from last year. Severens says "We've been encouraged that many of the larger companies have been flat or down less than 5% but there are still a handful that have reported totals down from last year due to layoffs, short time and the economy."
We are very pleased to report that several of our corporate campaigns such as Corning Cable Systems did not lose any ground in this year's efforts. Their fundraising efforts came in just 1.7% down from last year's totals. Clark Kinlin, CEO recently informed us that the company was planning to contribute the 1.7% difference to assure that they didn't fall short in their efforts.
Another successful company campaign was CertainTeed Corporation who reported an increase in their campaign of 58% and boosted their total number of donors by 17.
A new campaign this year was local CPA firm, Martin Starnes and Associates. Frank Williams, of Martin Starnes spearheaded this first time effort with results in excess of $4500. In addition, to their "in house" efforts Williams organized a contest among several other CPA firms in our community. This contest encouraged improved results from four of Hickory's other CPA firms.
Shurtape Technologies, LLC's gift came in a mere 1.3% short of last year's results. Considering the current economic climate this says alot for the generosity of the employees and management.
Another company campaign that reported an increase was CommScope. This year, their total gift (employee plus corporate) was over $86,000.
A local restaurant, Texas Roadhouse stepped up to the plate this year by offering Catawba County United Way ten percent (10%) of all holiday gift card sales. We are awaiting the final totals from this promotion.
Remember, there is still time to make your tax deductible donation towards the 2008 campaign. Every dollar counts! Please consider investing in our community. The community where we live and work - Catawba County.
Donations may be mailed to CCUW, P. O. Box 2425, Hickory, NC 28603 or online at ccunitedway.com.
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United Way Youth Council
Helps to Share the Warmth
Catawba County United Way Youth Council Collects Nearly 300 Coats for
"Coats for Kids"
At the CCUW's November Youth Council Meeting Sylvia Long, Dir. of Community Impact and the council's facilitator, invited Cheryl Abee, United Way's Dir. of Volunteer Center/I & R to join the group to talk about the Catawba County Christmas Bureau and share what its efforts mean to those less fortunate in our community. As Ms. Abee spoke about the Christmas Bureau, it was clear that all were eager to learn just what they could do to help.
After discussion, Ms. Long, challenged the group to collect coats for the "Coats for Kids" program, a vital part of the Christmas Bureau.
The group's response was overwhelming as coats came pouring in with a final total of almost 300.
Chelsea Ford, a youth council member and student at Bandys High School said "When we talked about the Christmas Bureau at our last meeting, it really touched my heart and I just knew I needed to do something to help out".
The Catawba County United Way Youth Council is made up of at least two students from each high school within Catawba County. These students are either rising juniors or seniors and are nominated by their school principals or guidance counselors and are selected by the current youth council members.
If you would like more information or the youth council please contact Sylvia Long at
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Clerical Volunteer Needed
The opportunity is ongoing - two mornings a week (you pick the days) primarily answering the telephone at a local non-profit agency. If you are interested, contact
Cheryl Abee at
828/327-6851
or
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Exciting News!
Cell phone users can now access services
by dialing 2-1-1 from their cell phone.
Remember 2-1-1 is free and confidential and available 24/7 365 days a year!
HELP
where do I find assistance and information if . .
- I am in an abusive relationship:
- I have an aging parent that I need help with?
- I need food?
- I need help paying my rent?
- i need help setting a household budget?
- I think I have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease?
- I need childcare for my child that has special needs?
- I want to volunteer?
- I want to help a local agency, but I don't really know what their needs are.
- I want to know about agencies' special events?
The answers to these questions and many more can be found by accessing
2-1-1
2-1-1 is an easy to remember, simple three digit phone number (or dial 1-888-892-1162) brought to you by your Catawba County United Way. This free and confidential service provides our community easy access to valuable health and human services information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One call can provide information on daycare, camp options, programs for senior citizens or the disabled, as well as many other programs and services within in our area. You may also access 2-1-1 online at www.nc211.org
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Bookbags for the Homeless in Catawba County
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Housing Visions Continuum of Care in Catawba County is conducting a count of homeless individuals on January 28, 2009. This count will enable our community to be eligible for local, state and federal funds as we strive to end homelessness.
As a partner in Housing Visions, Continuum of Care in Catawba County our United Way is working with other committee members to provide bookbags filled with life sustaining items such as small tarps, liter size bottled water, various "pop top" canned foods, sweatshirts/pants, toboggans, gloves, socks and toothbrushes/toothpaste
for the homeless population in our community.
You may drop off any of these items to Catawba County United Way or contact Sylvia Long at 828/327-6851 for other drop off sites.
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Upcoming Community Meetings and Events
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Visions of Housing, Continuum of Care - Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at the CCUW office at 12 noon. Contact Teena Willis for more information TeenaW@MentalHealthPartners.org
Citizen Corps - Meets quarterly, on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. at the CCUW office. The next meeting will be February 17, 2009
Ending Homelessness in Catawba County - Homeless count January 28, 2009. To donate items for the homeless in our community contact Sylvia Long, Catawba County United Way slong@ccunitedway.com.
Interagency Council Meeting
Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 12 noon at the CCUW office. Bring a bagged lunch and join for a great discussion.
For information on other meetings and/or events in our community please check the Community Calendar in 2-1-1. Simply log onto www.nc211.org.
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