You could win Carolina Panthers season tickets for the 2013-14 season. We’re talking club level seats for two with parking included!
$100/raffle ticket. Only 1500 tickets will be sold. Proceeds benefit United Way of Greater Greensboro’s annual campaign. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 14. Check back here for more information to on how to purchase yours.
The old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That’s exactly the idea that started a simple yet powerful practice at one local facility of a global manufacturing company.
Every so often in businesses, tools become obsolete. Typically these items are sold to scrap yards or sent to our landfills; but sometimes there are items in good condition that just deserve a new home. What if you could create change in your community by doing something as simple as selling your old stuff? Would you do it?
This Earth Day, we’re tipping our hats to our partners at P&G Greensboro for thinking creatively and doing just that: raising $6,100 for United Way by selling their obsolete tools to their employees.
P&G is committed to delivering products and services that make everyday life better for people around the world. P&G has a zero waste initiative, with a goal of putting zero waste into landfills—often made possible by turning waste and non-performing inventory into something useful.
P&G Greensboro recently underwent renovations to their machine shop. Many items still in working condition were upgraded, which created the opportunity to turn trash into treasure. After wrapping up their employee United Way campaign, a team of P&G staff worked together to create a silent auction to benefit United Way of Greater Greensboro.
“We saw it as an opportunity… with all of the efforts around the pledge drive, it felt like a fit,” said a P&G Employee Campaign Manager. “We talked about all of the good that comes from what we raise. There will be people out there who will appreciate this money.”
Employees were able to bid on everything from toolboxes to plasma cutters to welding tables. Even though the plant operates on rotating shifts, everyone was able to get in on the action to make a final bid. In the end, P&G was happy to reduce their waste stream and employees were happy to have awesome tools for personal use. The best benefit of all: a better community made possible by doing business a little differently.
Thank you P&G Greensboro for creating lasting change by investing in our community!
For more ideas on how your company can do business a little differently, give us a call at 336-378-6600.
National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president and Congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country.
LIVE UNITED – Volunteer at one of the many service opportunities organized by Women’s Leadership and Young Leaders.
Click here to see the list of projects through Women’s Leadership. Women’s Leadership is focused on uniting women to empower and strengthen families to succeed. Read more about Women’s Leadership.
More than 600 people, including students from Guilford and Forsyth counties, attended an educational luncheon and symposium featuring Soledad O’Brien, CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent, and Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Director of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and former president of Bennett College. The event held on Friday, March 22, was sponsored by the African American Leadership group of the United Way of Greater Greensboro.
“Our goal was to provide a forum for the community to learn more about what’s going on in the field of education and how United Way and its constituents can be a champion for advancing those causes,” says Michelle Gethers Clark, Interim President of United Way of Grater Greensboro.
The symposium was preceded by a reception on Thursday, March 21, at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum where founders of United Way’s African American Leadership celebrated the 10th year anniversary. Cole initiated the idea of AAL. Althea Trusedale and Michael McKinney acted as the first chairpersons in 2003.
Cole and O’Brien were a part of the educational symposium along with a panel of local experts on Friday morning. The panelists included Amos Quick – Guilford County’s Board of Education, Margaret Arbuckle-Guilford Educational Alliance, Dr. Bill Harvey NCA&TSU, Deborah Hooper – Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Randy Parker – GTCC, O’Brien, and moderated by Cole. The audience was asked to join with United Way to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families. O’Brien suggested citizens leverage cell phone technology to capture positive educational stories to celebrate accomplishments and “tell our story”.
O’Brien’s keynote remarks shared her life’s journey as a mixed-raced Latino woman which influenced her media career to be a concerned witness about real issues and solutions. Cole was honored as the Founder of AAL, and Dr. Edward Fort, Chancellor Emeritus at NCS&TSU received the new 2013 Gwendolyn and Alvin V. Blount Jr. Lifetime Service Award.
Gethers-Clark ended the day by asking participants to make an impact through philanthropy, as a volunteer, and advocate for important issues, and as a $1,000 donor. United Way is focused on creating lasting change through its investments. The key areas of focus for United Way include preparing youth to graduate and succeed, helping families become financially stable, and improving people’s ability to lead healthy lives.
United Way’s goal is to continue the positive momentum made over the last 90 years in Greensboro by improving the quality of life for all. United Way is asking the community for $500,000 by April 30, 2013 so that it can make high impact investments in programs managed by local non-profits to fuel youth development, increase access to health care services, and provide tools for family financial stability.
For more information about United Way, its investments, volunteer opportunities, and to make a tax-deductible contribution call 336-378-6600, call 2-1-1, visit the offices at 1500 Yanceyville Street or visit the web at unitedwaygso.org
Women’s Leadership invites you to participate in a week of volunteer activities, from 1 hour to a full day, that impact women and families. These volunteer opportunities are open to all who want to make a difference – men and women!
To sign up for a volunteer opportunity, click the linked time slot and complete the registration form.
Click here to download an overview schedule for Week of Caring opportunities.
Assemble Materials for Bereavement Camp
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Up to 4 volunteers are needed to assemble materials for the Wish Ceremony during the Kids Path Bereavement Camp.
Assist Young Children in Early Literacy Program
Raising A Reader Program – Claremont Courts Community Center, 2702 Patio Place, Greensboro
4 Volunteers are needed to assist preschool children with simple learning activities.
Beautification Projects
Volunteer Center of Greensboro – Meet at Wiley Elementary School, 600 West Terrell Street, Greensboro
Several volunteers are needed to build picnic tables, bookcases, and paint murals. Wear comfortable clothes to work on. Materials are provided.
Guilford Child Development, 1200 Arlington Street, Greensboro
4 to 6 Volunteers are needed to paint an office, clean interior windows, and reorganize the agency resource center. Materials are provided.
Blood Donor Days
American Red Cross, 1501 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro
Volunteers needed to donate blood throughout the day
Volunteers needed to work in the blood donation canteen serving snacks
Volunteers needed to greet blood donors
Collect Poetry for “A Poem in my Pocket”
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
This volunteer opportunity is to collect poems for “A Poem in my Pocket.” Write or print poems on individual pieces of paper to make a difference for patients and family members during difficult times. This project can be completed off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.
Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm
Create Crafts to Decorate Beacon Place
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed to create spring crafts or decorations for the exterior of patients’ doors, bulletin boards, and the nurses’ station. This project can be completed on-site or off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.
Create “Worry Jars” for Kids Path Support Groups
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed to create “Worry Jars”, a therapeutic tool made from recycled jars/containers used at Kids Path for children to write down their worries. This project can be completed off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.
Decorate Pillow Cases for Kids Path Patients and Clients
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed to decorate pillow cases with fabric paint to use as a therapeutic tool at Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Greensboro’s Kids Path program. This project can be completed off-site at any point during the Week of Caring.
Deliver Meals to Homebound Individuals
Senior Resources of Guilford – Meet at Peace United Church of Christ, 2714 West Market Street, Greensboro
Volunteers are needed with their own cars to deliver meals to homebound individuals
Donate Shelter Items for Domestic Violence Survivors
Hold a supply drive for families at Family Service of the Piedmont’s domestic violence shelter, Clara House. Items requested include Walmart gift cards, body bath towels, eating utensils, plastic tableware, and large size toiletries.
Inspire Teens with Your Career Story
YWCA Greensboro, 4002-E Spring Garden Street, Greensboro
5 volunteers needed to speak to teen and young mothers and share your career story
Mock Interviews
Women’s Resource Center, 628 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
3 volunteers are needed to conduct Mock Interviews with clients to prepare them for job interviews. Volunteers must have Human Resource or interviewing applicants experience.
Prepare Meals
YWCA Greensboro, 4002-E Spring Garden Street, Greensboro
A group of volunteers are needed to prepare, provide, and serve a meal to 30 teen and young adult mothers and their 20 children.
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
A group of volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a home cooked lunch or dinner to Beacon Place patients and their family members.
A group of volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a treat to Beacon Place patients and their family members.
Volunteers are needed to prepare baked goodies or frozen casseroles to be shared with Kids Path families.
Receptionist Needed
One Step Further, 623 Eugene Ct, Greensboro
1 Volunteer needed to answer phones per shift
Sort and Organize Office Supplies and Books
Reading Connections, 122 North Elm Street, Suite 520, Greensboro
4 to 6 volunteers needed to assistwith sorting and organizing office supplies and books.
Work in the Garden
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro
A group of volunteers are needed to work with Hospice Horticulture Therapist in the Kids Path and Beacon Place gardens. Work gloves are the only required materials to bring.
Today, as a part of International Women’s Day, United Way of Greater Greensboro celebrates women.
We should be proud our city’s historical role in advancing the status of women. Greensboro was the champion of North Carolina for educating women of all races, long before women and minorities were legally recognized as equal citizens. Read more about Greensboro’s role in the history of women in North Carolina.
We celebrate the achievements our community has made to improve women’s equality. We remain vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change.
The advancement of women is of prime importance to the economy, business, and society. United Way of Greater Greensboro and many community partners are working to improve our local economy by focusing on family economic success.
One of the significant challenges to becoming stable and self-sufficient is the affordability of child care. Safe, affordable, quality child care allows parents to obtain and retain a job. It also helps children develop in a healthy manner and ultimately start school ready to succeed. Access to affordable child care is essential for a strong economy.[i]
Many families in Greensboro are fortunate to have access to child care subsidies and scholarships from government and charitable sources, like United Way. However, working families and families that have a parent attending post-secondary school are often on waiting lists for 1 to 2 years before their family becomes eligible to apply. At any given point there are 2500+ children on the waiting lists in our area to receive help. [iv]
In honor of International Women’s Day, take this opportunity to share this story with a woman who wants to make a difference in her community. Then, consider making an online donation to United Way of Greater Greensboro to help us continue providing child care scholarships and addressing the challenge of affordable child care.
Click here to read more about our state’s child care subsidy program.
Click here to go to child care subsidy fact sheets for each NC county.
Click here to read more about our community partner, Guilford Child Development’s, child care scholarship program.
[i] Child Care Aware® of America (2012, September 11). Helping Parents Find Affordable, Quality Child Care is Critical to the Economy. Retrieved from: http://www.naccrra.org/news-room/press-releases/2012/9/helping-parents-find-affordable-quality-child-care-is-critical-to-th
[ii] Laughlin, L./U.S. Census Bureau (2010). Who’s Minding the Kids? Child Care Arrangements: Spring 2005 and Summer 2006. Retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p70-121.pdf
[iii] NCRCCR&R ‘s database as of 6/30/09 (based on licensed programs) as cited in Guilford Child Development (2011). 2010 Child Care in the Guilford County. Retrieved from: http://guilfordchilddev.org/docs/rccrr/rccrr-childcare-stats-guilford-county.pdf
[iv] J. Fairley, personal communication, March 5, 2013 / D. Hill, personal communication, February 28, 2013
This is a guest post from Andrew Trump, Greensboro Program Coordinator at Reading Connections. United Way of Greater Greensboro investments currently support the Health Literacy program at Reading Connections .
For most of the adults in our programs, the need to increase their understanding of health information and make appropriate health decisions is paramount: low health literacy translates into missed days at work, increased rates of hospitalization, and higher mortality rates.
As many of our tutors know firsthand, health problems are one of the primary reasons students miss classes and eventually have to stop attending.
Each February, we invite members of the Reading Connections community to engage in conversation and action toward improving health literacy. February is our “Health Literacy Month!” It’s a chance for our adult learners to begin and continue to increase their health literacy by focusing the lens of their basic literacy work on health.
For some, learning to comprehend the directions on their medication labels might be the focus of the month. For others, it’s memorizing the high-frequency sight words that appear time and time again on medical forms. And for many, incorporating health content into their lessons becomes an essential part of their long term work with Reading Connections.
We invite you to explore health literacy with us. If you’re curious about health literacy instruction, check out this incredible curriculum! For more resources, log in to the “Tutor” section of our website (user ID: tutor, password: reading). And for specific ways to address health with an adult student, schedule a meeting with one of our program coordinators.
Click here to read more about becoming a volunteer tutor with Reading Connections.
“I know that story, it’s some animals, my mommy read it to me last night!” – Raising a Reader Student
Literacy is one of the key building blocks to good quality of life. That’s why United Way of Greater Greensboro has brought together a network of early childhood partners to implement Raising a Reader.
Raising A Reader is an early literacy and family engagement program for children ages 0-8 that helps families develop book-sharing routines with their child. The research is clear — when families are involved, children’s academic achievement improves.
On Friday, March 1st, our little readers celebrated National Read Across America Day. Some children celebrated the day with special activities at their schools, like wearing ‘wacky socks’ in honor of Dr. Seuss. Others simply celebrated by reading a book from their little red Raising a Reader bag with their family.
To practice the habit of sharing books, each week children bring home bright red book bags filled with award-winning books. Each day children invite a loved one to ‘share a book with me’. Every week each child brings home a different bag of books so that, on average, more than 100 high quality books will rotated through children’s homes over the course of a typical rotation cycle.
Your donation to United Way improves the odds of success in school for thousands of children each year. Raising a Reader is one of many high quality programs your dollar supports. These investments create lasting changes in our community.
Give to United Way and be part of the change! Click here to make an easy and secure online donation.
United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Women’s Leadership is a group of women united to empower and strengthen families to succeed.
United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Women’s Leadership members invite you to attend the 3rd annual Women in Philanthropy Luncheon, benefiting programs & initiatives supported by United Way of Greater Greensboro.
Join us for this luncheon open to all who want to make a difference.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Maya Angelou, Renaissance Woman and Best Selling Author.
Only a few tickets remain! To purchase tickets, please contact Julie Longmire at 378.5023 or Julie.Longmire@unitedwaygso.org.
When: Tuesday, May 14 from 11:30 am- 1:30pm
Where: Grandover Resort & Conference Center
Tickets are $50 (including lunch entrée)
Contact: John McLendon
Director, Marketing & Communications
336-378-6617
John.McLendon@unitedwaygso.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANNOUNCING SITES FOR FACILITATED SELF ASSISTANCE TAX PREPARATION.
Free Tax Preparation Sites Now Open.
Greensboro, NC, January 31, 2013 – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) announces the availability of the Facilitated Self-Assistance free tax preparation sites and online service at local non-profits. Households earning up to $57,000 annually can qualify to get free help preparing their tax return.
UWGG, in conjunction with several of its Partner Agencies in the Greensboro area, is coordinating the Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA) free, online state and federal income tax filing service. “This service is a practical benefit and will help to empower individuals to do their own taxes as one step toward financial self-sufficiency,” said Sarah Glover, Community Impact Manager, Income & Resources, UWGG.
This free online filing service through Myfreetaxes.com is for people who:
- Have a household Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less.
- Have basic computer and internet skills.
- Want to do their own taxes with access to an IRS certified volunteer.
FSA is one of two ways to get free help from IRS certified volunteers. FSA volunteers will be available by phone, email or online chat to answer questions. If in-person help is needed, call 2-1-1 for local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites. The FSA tax preparation sites, in Greensboro, began service this week on Monday, January 28th.
People wanting to use the FSA service should be prepared with the following:
• Driver’s license or non-driver ID. Spouses filing jointly must both be present.
• W-2s, 1099s and other income and tax related forms.
• Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for each family member and working adult.
• Childcare provider name, address and tax ID.
• Bank routing and account numbers for checking and savings accounts if direct deposit is desired.
• Valid email address.
• A copy of last year’s tax return if available.
The United Way affiliated sites, in Greensboro, for the FSA tax preparation service are:
Greensboro Housing Authority
(*Residents only / see website at www.gha-nc.org )
Guilford Child Development
1200 Arlington St., Greensboro 27406
336-369-7700
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 6:00 by appointment 336- 369-5000
Piedmont Health Services & Sickle Cell Agency
1102 E. Market St., Greensboro 27401
336-274-1507
Thursdays 1:00-5:00
Volunteer Center
1500 Yanceyville St, Greensboro 27405
336-373-1633
Monday through Friday 3:00-5:00
YWCA of Greensboro
4002 Spring Garden St. Suite E, Greensboro 27407
336-273-3461
Monday through Friday 9:00-2:00 / Evenings by appointment
Women’s Resource Center
336-275-6090
628 Summit Ave, Greensboro 27405
(*Women only)
Wednesdays 10:00-4:00
Individuals who qualify to file using Myfreetaxes.com can file online anytime using Myfreetaxes.com/Greensboro. The link can also be found at www.unitedwaygso.org.
For details, contact Sarah Glover at 378-5036 or email at sarah.glover@unitedwaygso.org .
United Way of Greater Greensboro supports programs, initiatives, member agencies, and partners meeting critical needs in our community in the areas of education, income and health. 2012 marked the 125th birthday of the United Way. In 1887, in Denver, CO, United Way became one of the most important social inventions in history and sparked a movement that established United Way. In 2012, United Way of Greater Greensboro celebrated 90 years of local investments.
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