News
It might still be September but the Catawba County Christmas Bureau “Elves” are already hard at work preparing for this year’s annual event, Dec. 13-14.
The Christmas Bureau is a collaborative effort among many Catawba County agencies and organizations to provide toys, food, clothing and coats to children and teenagers in need of assistance during the Christmas season.
2020 Christmas Bureau "Elves" helping distribute holiday cheer.
In 2020,…
It is that time again – time to recognize those outstanding volunteers who make all the difference when it comes to helping local non-profits assist those in a crisis.
Some of the 2020 GFH nominees.
The Catawba County United Way is planning to host the annual Giving from the Heart Volunteer Awards on Nov. 18 to help recognize these invaluable individuals.
One agency/organization may submit a maximum of five nominations in each category:…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
From the crews in the pit area, to the volunteers in concessions, to the dozens of organizations sharing information with the public, the Catawba County United Way’s Ready to Race United event was an example of collaboration in action for the more than 2,600 race fans who showed up for a free night of racing and fireworks.
Held on Aug. 21, Ready to Race United was a partnership between the CCUW and the…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Every educator has one...a stash of extra classroom supplies, according to Webb A. Murray Elementary Principal Angela Garcia.
"Sometimes we get a call from a mother who will say, she went shopping, but has four students in school and all of them have notebooks and pencils because she thinks that is what is the most important, but then can’t buy all of them crayons and scissors,” Garcia said.
The…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
You can never have too many crayons, according to Webb A. Murray Elementary School Guidance Counselor Pa Lusk.
While this seems like a small thing to worry about, it’s part of the bigger issue of making ends meet for families with limited financial resources, of choosing what to buy or not to buy on yearly classroom supply lists.
Webb A. Murray Elementary School Guidance Counselor Pa Lusk and…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Darlene Schronce knows better than most the value of non-profit partnerships.
“Places like Adult Life Programs help people like me, with mental and physical disabilities, teaching them how to get along in the world and how to have responsibilities in their life,” she said.
Schronce is a participant at Adult Life’s Conover center and experiences the power of non-profit collaboration every day.
“The…
Every day someone in North Carolina needs help.
They need help finding shelter, finding a meal, finding access to healthcare, finding a job or just finding someone who cares.
Every day the community specialists at NC 211 are ready to answer those calls.
NC 211 is the health and human services information line provided by United Way of North Carolina. Those looking for help simply dial 2-1-1.
In May one of those calls came from Pearl.
Pearl is…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The comfort of a meal is something no one should have to do without.
And in June, the Catawba County United Way’s (CCUW) annual food drive collected nearly 2 tons, more than 4,000 items, of non-perishable food. This year the CCUW collected more than 900 personal hygiene items as well.
“For the folks we serve it is the difference between having food for their family or not, so a food drive like this is…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Every bit helps.
Last year, despite limitations related to the pandemic, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) was able to collect more than 4,400 items and raised $1,080 during its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive.
These resources went to students in need from all three local public school districts – Catawba County Schools, Hickory Public Schools and Newton-Conover City Schools.
Conover School…
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Sometimes, we all just need a little help.
In 2020, 8,261 households in Catawba County received food benefits through the Catawba County Social Services. That number nearly doubled this year to 15,698 households.
To help meet the issue of food insecurity in our community, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) is hosting its annual food drive, June 14-18.
The drive will support local non-profits who also…