July 1, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The Catawba County Youth Council, in partnership with the Catawba County United Way recently announced this year’s Youth Community Investment Grant recipients.
The Youth Council’s grant process addresses the impact areas of health and education as they relate to the needs and wellbeing of children and youth in the county.
This year’s agencies include:
Family Care Center of Catawba Valley…
News
June 25, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
It’s only June, but the Catawba County United Way School Supply Drive is already getting started. This annual outreach event will run through the month of July and benefits all public school students in the county, but the impact of this event is about more than just the donations.
“You’re not just dropping off notebooks, pencils and backpacks, you are providing a sense of normalcy to…
June 16, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
So, what is the value of a nonprofit volunteer?
Is it the hundreds or thousands of dollars they represent every week?
Is it additional services provided every day because of their presence?
Is it the technical, life and work experience they bring to a nonprofit?
Along with all of these reasons, the value of a Catawba County volunteer is also measured in every smile, handshake, hug and…
May 5, 2026
The American Red Cross and United Way of Catawba County are partnering to offer a two‑day Community Shelter Operations Training designed to equip local residents with the skills and confidence to support their neighbors during emergencies.
This course prepares community members to set up and operate shelters for disasters, severe weather (similar to the recent warming sites needed this past winter), and other unexpected events…
April 29, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Look up the word Haven and you’ll see it defined as a place of safety, a refuge from danger and distress.
Now, imagine being a female high school student forced to live in your car or being an 81-year-old woman with no home and no one to turn to for help. Suddenly ‘Haven’ becomes more than a word, it’s a symbol of a better life and that’s what Safe Harbor in Hickory is hoping it’s new…
April, 24, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Twenty-two local nonprofit presentations.
Six total nonprofits visited/toured.
Dozens of conversations about having a positive impact in our county by helping others.
On April 14, the Catawba County United Way hosted the inaugural Live Informed Tour, an opportunity for anyone interested, to learn about the nonprofit world by visiting sites and talking to agencies directly.
For Catawba…
April 22, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Encouraging compassion, meeting people where they are and inspiring others.
These are key characteristics of several volunteers from Catawba County who were recently recognized by the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service with the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
They included Zaira Mendoza – volunteer with Catawba County Juntos 4-H Program, Sarah Huffman – volunteer…
April 21, 2026
The Catawba County United Way will host a meet and greet luncheon with local public school teachers and social workers on June 4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the CCUW office (2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory).
For those interested in being collection partners during the CCUW's annual County-wide School Supply Drive, this will be an opportunity to learn directly from public school social workers and administrators about the needs…
April 10, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
You’re on your fourth straight night of below freezing temperatures.
You’ve lived unsheltered for the last year.
You’re more than cold.
You’re scared.
Alone.
But then you hear a van pulling in near where you are camped.
And you suddenly have hope.
This moment played out time and time again throughout the months of January and February in Catawba County, which were dominated by 35 days…