June 12, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
On Wednesday, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) hosted the annual Giving From the Heart (GFH) Volunteer Awards at Conover Station to recognize and thank some of the most invaluable members of every nonprofit in the county.
This year’s group of 28 nominees was equally amazing as in the past with individuals who have donated their time for decades, to groups who never say no when…
News
June 6, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
John Lookadoo’s addiction to drugs and alcohol started when he was fifteen and after a lifetime of struggling, he ended up at Strong Life Ministries in Conover. At that moment he was just looking for a bus pass. What he got was a chance to change his life forever.
More than 11,600 individuals were homeless last year in North Carolina, according to data from the 2024 HUD Continuum of Care…
May 23, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
For those struggling financially in Catawba County, access to local food pantries is one way to help make ends meet and ensure access to healthy food.
However, the Catawba County United Way learned last week that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding cuts are changing what that access looks like for many families.
Last year, Ashure Ministry’s Charlie Bunn Food Pantry in Newton…
May 19, 2025
The North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has presented the 2025 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award to 10 recipients from Catawba County.
Their selection for the Governor’s award was based off their 2024 nomination for the Catawba County Giving From the Heart (GFH) Awards.
NC State Award recipients include:
Jason Keating – Walk With Me Equine Therapy,
Dana and Josia Florez – NC Cooperative Extension…
May 6, 2025
The Catawba County United Way will host a luncheon Meet and Greet with local public school teachers and social workers on June 5, 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 local public school representatives from Catawba County, Hickory City…
April 28, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service recently announced the 2025 recipients of the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service and Darlene Sanders, Exodus Homes volunteer, was chosen from Catawba County.
The award ceremony will be held May 12 at the North Carolina State Capitol building in Raleigh.
The Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service …
April 24, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Life seldom travels in a straight line.
It’s usually filled with moments of falling and then getting back up.
In 2019, Melissa Cruse had been an addict for 22 years and was done falling.
“It’s like you’re in your mind screaming, pounding on the walls to get out but your body keeps doing the same thing,” Cruse said in March, during a visit with the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) at…
April 9, 2025
It’s time to recognize those outstanding individuals who make all the difference when it comes to helping local non-profits assist those in a crisis.
The Catawba County United Way is planning to host the annual Giving from the Heart (GFH) Volunteer Awards on June 11 to help recognize these invaluable individuals.
One nonprofit agency/organization may submit a maximum of five nominations in each category: adult individual, youth…
April 2, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The Catawba County United Way (CCUW) recently received the Community Resiliency: Disaster Relief and Recovery Award during the United Way of North Carolina’s Spirit of NC presentations, held in Gastonia.
The CCUW’s recognition was based off the role it played during the recovery efforts in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene last year. Acting as a donation and supply…
From helping collect food, to sorting and preparing donated clothing, to manning an information desk, to showing up at a disaster ready to help, to sharing a smile with someone facing a crisis, Catawba County nonprofits would struggle to help others without their volunteers.
More than 28 percent of Americans—more than 75.7 million people—formally volunteered for an organization between September 2022 and 2023. In total, these volunteers…