Lauren Forbis, Author at United Way of Greater Greensboro

United Way Partners with The Culture Pushers for 96th Community Celebration and Campaign Kick-Off

Posted on August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 by Lauren Forbis

Performances will include Shelby J who performed with Prince, and Sybil who has a US Gold Record, among others!

(Greensboro, NC, August 17, 2018) – The community is invited to join United Way of Greater Greensboro and The Culture Pushers on August 30, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Revolution Mill in Greensboro for United Way’s 96^th Campaign Kickoff and Community Celebration.

United Way of Greater Greensboro is partnering with Greensboro native and Grammy Award winning record producer, Andreao “Fanatic” Heard, of The Culture Pushers make this year’s celebration one to remember.

Among the local musicians who will perform at the event are Shelby J, who recorded and performed with Prince for over a decade, Sybil, R&B singer who worked with Salt-n-Pepa and has a US Gold Certified record, and Triangle Afrobeat Orchestra, an inclusive collective of musicians united to build solidarity and collaboration across boundaries. Many other talented musicians from The Culture Pushers collective will also perform live during the event.

A special announcement will be made at the event regarding “Artists United To End Poverty” – A benefit album with contributions from local recording artists, poets and prominent figures in the community. Proceeds from album sales will go to the United Way of Greater Greensboro to help support partnerships that END local poverty! Sybil, Shelby J and Triangle Afrobeat Orchestra are all featured on the album.

Fanatic, who has produced records for Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Notorious B.I.G., Anthony Hamilton and more is bringing together local recording artists from the Culture Pushers Collective and more to produce an epic multi music genre album that will help change Greensboro forever!

Additionally, during the celebration, results from this year’s Pacesetter Campaign, which began in July, will be announced. The Pacesetter Campaign includes 18 companies that decided to conduct their United Way campaigns early to set the pace for a successful community-wide campaign.

2018 Pacesetter Campaigns:

American National Bank & Trust Company
BB&T Triad Corporate Center (TCC)
Carruthers & Roth, P.A.
Center for Creative Leadership
City of Greensboro
Greensboro Housing Authority
Guilford County
Sharrard, McGee & Co., P.A.
Target Department Store #1078 (Bridford)
UPS
Volunteer Center of Greensboro

United Way CEO Named Community Game Changer

Posted on August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 by Lauren Forbis

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro named United Way of Greater Greensboro President and CEO Michelle Gethers-Clark a Community Game Changer.

The Community Foundation partners with the Greensboro Grasshoppers annually to recognize local residents who are making a big difference to our community. Recipients are individuals who have worked hard to make Greensboro an even greater place to live and work through meaningful contributions to the city.

“I am honored and humbled to be called a game changer. However, ending poverty is a team sport and takes a community of people who are willing to change the game in Greensboro and ensure every child and family have the opportunity to thrive,” says Michelle.

Michelle was recognized with the award at the August 10th Grasshoppers game. Please join us in sending Michelle a big congratulations!

MeaningFULL Meals Collects 4,500+ Pounds of Food

Posted on August 7, 2018August 8, 2018 by Lauren Forbis

If you visited the United Way office in July, you may have seen boxes overflowing with food items for our annual MeaningFULL Meals collection.

Over 4,500 pounds of food were collected throughout Greensboro thanks especially to Morrisette and BB&T Triad Corporate Center who went above and beyond to support the cause.

Five years ago, United Way and The Volunteer Center started MeaningFULL Meals, a nutrition project that seeks food donations to help feed school children in need while school is out for summer.

More than 65% of Guilford County School’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the summer months, many of these children do not have the same access to a nutritious meal and go hungry.

For the third year in a row, BackPack Beginnings joined the partnership by managing the food pantry, preparing bags of food for pick up and being a drop off location for food donations.

Morrisette Paper Company donated a car full of food items to MeaningFULL Meals. Pictured here (left to right) is Morgan, Morrisette’s Marketing Director, with United Way staff Erin, Michael, Kevin and Carl.

*An impressive collection in the United Way lobby!*

*BB&T included inspiration messages in their collection.*

*Just a fraction of the 54,000 items BB&T collected!*

Big thanks to ALL who collected items to help free students this summer!

Giving More Than a Donation

Posted on June 28, 2018October 30, 2018 by Lauren Forbis

*Gregg Strader, UWGG Board Chair always greets people with a smile.*

From a little boy on a basketball court to decades later serving his second term as our Board Chair, Gregg Strader’s experiences with United Way’s impact are foundational in his commitment to community.

Gregg currently serves as the United Way of Greater Greensboro Board Chair and has previously served as Campaign Chair. Gregg led our recent annual meeting where donors voted unanimously to welcome six new board members.

Gregg first got involved with United Way strategic partners long before he knew what United Way was. Growing up in a small town, Gregg jumped on the YMCA bus after school and played basketball with his friends. Gregg remembered a “jovial old man” who would help kids get on the bus to escape their normal day-to-day routines. According to Gregg, even a simple smile is as valuable as a donation.

As a Boy Scout, Gregg also remembers camping and learning skills that he attributes to being successful in life.

When reflecting on his childhood experiences Gregg stated, “Even at a young age United Way was impacting me without me even knowing. When I think about things that have been meaningful throughout my life, United Way has always been there.” These positive experiences are why Gregg remains committed to our United Way and its impact today.

Gregg recognizes the local importance of United Way’s focus on ending poverty. He says, “United Way is leading the way in strategically addressing local needs. It’s not necessarily just youth, it could be older people. It could be women in an abusive situations. It could be helping locate shelter and providing food. And it could be helping people earn their GED and get a job. Our local United Way is making sure people have what they need to be self sufficient.”

Gregg encourages everyone he meets to financially support United Way. But Gregg also affirms, “Giving is more than writing a check. There are very meaningful ways people can contribute with their time or talents. A wave, a smile, it all matters. If you just sit back and do nothing, then nothing will change. But if you get involved with United Way, be engaged and do your part, we can all make a difference.”