United Way of Greater Greensboro

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.

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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.

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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.

• Wednesday 4/24 – 1:00-5:00pm

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.

• Thursday 4/25 – Noon-1:30pm

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.

• Tuesday 4/23 – 9:00am-11:00am, 11:00am – 1:00pm, and 1:00pm-3:00pm

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.

• Friday 4/26 – 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm

Blood Donor Days

American Red Cross, 1501 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro

Volunteers needed to donate blood throughout the day

• Thursday 4/25 –  Click here to register for a specific donation time.

Volunteers needed to work in the blood donation canteen serving snacks

• Thursday 4/25 – 12:30pm-3:30pm and 3:30pm-7:30pm

Volunteers needed to greet blood donors

• Thursday 4/25 – 12:30pm-3:30pm and 3:30pm-7:30pm

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.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

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.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

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.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

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

• Monday 4/22 – 1 Volunteer 9:30am-11:30am
• Wednesday 4/24 – 2 Volunteers 9:30am-11:30am
• Friday 4/26 – 4 Volunteers 9:30am-11:30am

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.

• Bring requested items to United Way of Greater Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St, Greensboro Monday 4/22 through Friday 4/26 9:00am-5:00pm

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

• Tuesday 4/23 – 5:00pm

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.

• Tuesday 4/23 – 9:30am-11:30am

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.

• Tuesday 4/23 – 6:00pm

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.

• Sunday 4/21 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Monday 4/22 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Tuesday 4/23 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Wednesday 4/24 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Thursday 4/25 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Friday 4/26 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Saturday 4/27 – 12:00pm-1:30pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm

A group of volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a treat to Beacon Place patients and their family members.

• Sunday 4/21 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Monday 4/22 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Tuesday 4/23 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Wednesday 4/24 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Thursday 4/25 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Friday 4/26 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm
• Saturday 4/27 – 1:30pm-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm

Volunteers are needed to prepare baked goodies or frozen casseroles to be shared with Kids Path families.

• Bring items to HPCG, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, Sunday 4/21 to Saturday 4/27 between 9:00am-5:00pm

Receptionist Needed

One Step Further, 623 Eugene Ct, Greensboro
1 Volunteer needed to answer phones per shift

• Monday 4/22 - 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm
• Tuesday 4/23 - 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm
• Friday 4/26 - 9:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm

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.

• Wednesday 4/24 – 1:00pm-4:00pm

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.

• Thursday 4/25 – 9:00am-Noon

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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.

Click here to download the latest Voices. Choices. report about United Way and other community partners’ work in addressing health literacy.

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What is it like to be a mentor? Click the image below to let Mujahid and Ian show you firsthand.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Episode 8: Meet Mujahid and Ian

Hundreds of youth in Greensboro are looking for a mentor just like you. Make a difference. Take the first step to becoming a mentor. Complete our mentor interest form at: UnitedWayGSO.org/mentor.

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On January 30th, Partners Ending Homelessness will conduct the annual Point In Time Count for Guilford County. The Point In Time Count provides a snapshot of unduplicated sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness on any given night as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, Partners Ending Homelessness conducted Guilford County’s Annual Point in Time Count which revealed:

• 1,005 individuals experience homelessness on any given night
• There has been a 61.8% reduction in the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness ***

For more information about the Point In Time Count, or to volunteer your time to help, contact Sara Patterson at sara@partnersendinghomelessness.org.

*** Partners Ending Homelessness feels that this number is a little low. It is believed the number is equivalent to what it has been over the last couple of years.

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Looking to give back this holiday season? Join Young Leaders for a day of service!

Saturday, December 8 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

2012 HoliDAYS of Service Projects:

Adult Center for Enrichment (ACE) - Some of you may have volunteered here during Spring Into Service. Now we have the opportunity to help them with a Fall cleanup! United Way will provide some yard tools and hot cocoa. If anyone else has yard tools they can loan us for the day (rakes, gloves, etc.) they would be very much appreciated!

Volunteer Center of Greater Greensboro - The Volunteer Center is a great organization that helps many members of our community, and they need our help reorganizing and decorating their office. No supplies are needed.

United Way of Greater Greensboro - We will help clean and bag books for the United Way’s Thriving at 3 program. Thriving at 3 is an early childhood initiative of United Way of Greater Greensboro with a simple premise: children who are healthy, physically and emotionally, by age 3 are more likely to be successful in school and in life. No supplies are needed.

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Many issues are important to all of us. Issues like the economy, jobs, a good education for the next generation of American workers and building strong communities.

If you care about these or other issues, the best way you can make a difference, is to register to VOTE and turn out on Election Day or during early voting to make sure your voice is heard.

Today through October 12, you can register (and update your registration) to VOTE in the November 6th elections.

You may be wondering, “Am I eligible to vote?” Do you meet these requirements:

• Are you a US Citizen?
• Are you a resident of North Carolina?
• Have you lived in your county for at least 30 days?
• Are you 18 years old, or will you be 18 years old before November 6 (election day)?

If you were previously convicted of a felony, your citizenship rights must be restored to make you eligible to vote.
If you answered yes to the questions above, you are eligible to VOTE.

Registering to VOTE is a simple process. Visit ncsbe.gov to download registration forms, see sample ballots and discover answers to questions like:

• Who are my elected officials?
• What elections can I vote in?
• Where do I go to vote
• Can I vote early
• Am I already registered?

Join with United Way and make your voice heard on important issues like education, financial stability and health.

VOTE on election day. REGISTER NOW.

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This post was written by Keith Barsuhn, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Greensboro. 

Last week, a News & Record story reported on the incredible turnaround of EOG results at Wiley Elementary School. Wiley Elementary School’s success is a testament to the outstanding school leadership of its Principal, Dr. Sheila Gorham, and her teaching staff.  It is also demonstrates the impact that mentoring for a young child can have to help them succeed in school and in life. United Way of Greater Greensboro gives a BIG THANK YOU to those volunteers who, starting in January 2012, made the commitment to mentor every young male student, from 2nd to 5th grade. 49 matches were made and our community partner Communities in Schools of Greater Greensboro managed the effort doing an outstanding job in just six months!

Let’s recap the facts. Reading End-of-Grade Tests (EOGs) show that 62. 9% of the students at Wiley passed, and students who participated in mentoring achieved a 75% pass level. The Guilford County Schools (GCS) average average is 68.1%. Even more impressive is the Math EOG’s showing that 86.6% of the students passed, and the mentored students achieved a 92% pass level shattering the GCS average of 82%!

Bottom line, the African American Male Initiative (AAMI) mentor volunteers are AWESOME and they, along with Communities in Schools of Greater Greensboro and Guilford County Schools, are to be congratulated for demonstrating how achieving a greater impact in the lives of a community of young boys is possible. United Way endeavors to expand this model and others like it. Be ready for the United Way Mentoring Matters campaign which will set bold goals for more engagement with African American and Hispanic young males through the mentoring experience.

THANK YOU to United Way’s African American Leadership Group for the vision and commitment to take on such an important life changing community program!

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This blog post was written by Susan Watson in a series of guest blogs surrounding Women in Philanthropy on May 22nd. Susan works for Northwestern Mutual and has been a UWGG donor for 12 years.  Susan is a member of United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Women’s Leadership Council, serving as chair in 2010.

In the days following the 2nd Annual  Women  in Philanthropy Luncheon,  I heard a number of discussions around the idea put forth by Karen Walrond of a life list, or as she likes to call it, a life menu.  Karen explained that a menu differs from a bucket list, giving us options to pick and choose from things that make us smile or give us joy.   This appealed to me because I am a list maker, lots of lists, all kinds of lists.  That doesn’t necessarily mean I get a lot of things checked off, I just like to plan, organize and make lists.  I strongly suspect that I’m not alone.

One conversation I heard was about Susan’s (another Susan) great Easter trip to the Mykonos Islands.  After hearing her describe it, I added it to my list which is already filled with travel.  But, as we are making our life menus, I hope one phrase comes to mind that Karen, very carefully wove in an out of her story:  “help where you can”.  She heard it from her father all through her childhood, help where you can.  Our greatest smiles come when we’ve taken the time to make others smile.

In the spirit of helping others, my list (I still like to call it a list) also has an entry for a foreign mission trip.  Does that mean I can check off helping others with that one big trip?  I think not.  I believe that Karen’s father meant help where you can, every time you can, with the talents and resources that you’ve been given.

United Way supports 70 programs and initiatives through 29 member agencies. Each program and initiative must demonstrate that it meets a need in the community, makes an impact, and aligns with United Way’s objectives.  Let me say it once more, fully vetted programs that meet a need right here in our community.  There is something for you. This is your call to action: join us, Women in Philanthropy, African American Leadership, Young Leaders… help where you can.

I think William Arthur Ward said it best: “Blessed is the person who sees the need, recognizes the responsibility, and actively becomes the answer.”

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