Category: Events

Vanessa Ferguson to Perform at United Way’s 95th Campaign Kick off and Community Celebration

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

The community is invited to join United Way of Greater Greensboro on August 31, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Revolution Mill in Greensboro for a celebration 95 years in the making.

The entirely free event, which kicks off United Way’s 2017 campaign also celebrates United Way’s 95th year in the community and will feature a performance by Vanessa Ferguson. Ferguson was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice and tours the U.S.

Attendees will also be treated to Natty Greene’s beer, Cugino Forno pizza and gelato, Wow What a Drink juice, water, a DJ and more. People are encouraged to RSVP at www.UnitedWayGSO.org.

Participants should enter Revolution Mill at Textile Drive and walk across the bridge. United Way volunteers will be on hand to offer directions to the event location.

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.

2017 Pacesetter Campaigns:

  • Allen Tate Realtors
  • American National Bank & Trust
  • BB&T
  • Carruthers & Roth, P.A.
  • Center for Creative Leadership
  • Children’s Home Society
  • City of Greensboro
  • Duke Energy Corporation
  • First Citizens Bank & Trust
  • Guilford County
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals
  • Norfolk Southern Corporation
  • Piedmont Natural Gas
  • Sharrard, McGee & Co., P.A.
  • Target Corporation
  • United Way of Greater Greensboro
  • UPS
  • Volunteer Center of Greensboro

 

 

MeaningFULL Meals Helping Feed Children Over Summer Months

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

MeaningFULL Meals Helping Feed Children Over Summer Months

Greensboro, NC (June 17, 2017) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is mobilizing the community throughout July with its annual MeaningFULL meals program in partnership with BackPack Beginnings and The Volunteer Center of Greensboro.

Four 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.

Through the month of July, community members are encouraged to host food drives to supply the food pantry at Wiley Elementary, that also supports students of Jackson Middle and Smith High School.

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

Food drive donations supporting MeaningFULL Meals can be dropped off at Wiley Elementary, BackPack Beginnings and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

A full list of needed items can be found at UnitedWayGSO.org/Volunteer

 

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United Way of Greater Greensboro is celebrating 95 years: 1922 – 2017. We fight for the opportunity, prosperity and future of every person in greater Greensboro by creating partnerships that reduce poverty. We bring together dynamic and caring professionals and volunteers who teach, coach and inspire the 57,000 people in our community living in poverty. With so many of our neighbors struggling to become self-sufficient, United Way believes poverty must be replaced with sustainable solutions that meet the unique needs of children, adults and ENTIRE families. www.unitedwaygso.org

The Volunteer Center of Greensboro strengthens our community by creating meaningful volunteer connections. We connect people, promote volunteerism, support nonprofits and build partnerships. www.volunteergso.org

BackPack Beginnings, founded in 2010 by Parker White, a native of Greensboro and mother of 2 children, is a 100 percent volunteer-run and donor-driven organization. What started out as a feeding program in one school feeding 50 children has grown to a multi-program organization serving over 4,000 children a year. BackPack Beginnings’ mission is to deliver child-centric services to feed, comfort and clothe children in need.  By ensuring food and basic necessities are given directly to children in need, we make a positive and lasting impact on their health and well-being. Find out more or support BackPack Beginnings through in-kind donations, funds or volunteering, visit www.backpackbeginnings.org. 

United Way Day of Action Collecting Hygiene Kits for those in Need

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

Last call to join United Way of Greater Greensboro on June 21 for Day of Action to collect hygiene kits that will be distributed to neighbors in need.

On June 21, people across the world will volunteer in their communities to celebrate United Way’s 2017 Day of Action. Day of Action is a worldwide event that promotes volunteerism.

Locally, United Way will be collecting hygiene kits filled with basic needs items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo, for neighbors that do not have everyday access to these items.

Hygiene kits will be delivered to the Greensboro Urban Ministry, Interactive Resource Center and United Way’s Family Success Center.

Instructions for building hygiene kits can be found at UnitedWayGSO.org/event/day-of-action/.

“Basic needs items are things we often take for granted because they are right at our fingertips. Some of our neighbors do not readily have access to these everyday items. It’s when the community comes together to help support our neighbors that change can happen, not only now but beyond,” says Radiah Pinckney, Manager of Volunteer and Community Engagement at United Way.

United Way is also accepting donations of basic needs items at 1500 Yanceyville Street, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Wednesday, June 21.

Nationally Recognized Author, Sampson Davis, at United Way Community Speaker Series

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro is welcoming nationally recognized physician Sampson Davis M.D.

United Way of Greater Greensboro is welcoming nationally recognized physician and New York Times Best-selling author, Sampson Davis, M.D., as this year’s keynote for the 2017 Community Speakers Series at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center on May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The media is invited to attend.

While in high school, Dr. Davis and two fellow students made a promise to one another to become doctors. All three childhood friends each successfully became doctors and later created The Three Doctors Foundation, which offers free programs focused on health, education, leadership and mentoring. He is a board certified Emergency Medicine Physician at St. Michaels Medical Center in Newark, NJ.
Oprah Winfrey named Dr. Davis one of the world’s most influential role models and he has co-authored three New York Times best-selling books, entitled The Pact, We Beat the Street, and The Bond.

Dr. Davis has appeared on a number of talk and radio shows, including, Oprah, The Today Show, The Michael Baisden Radio Show, Tavis Smiley, NPR, and has been a weekly correspondent on the Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show and CNN.

He is the youngest physician to receive the National Medical Association’s highest honor, The Scroll of Merit. He was also honored in 2000 with the Essence Life Achievement Award and named by the magazine as one of the forty most inspirational African Americans in the country.

Dr. Davis will share his personal story about the power of perseverance, dreaming big and how we all have the ability to transform the lives of others.

United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Community Speaker Series convenes people from across our community to learn together, connect with one another, and be inspired while supporting the work of United Way. United Way’s African American Leadership is hosting this year’s event and VF Corporation is this year’s presenting sponsor. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at www.UnitedWayGSO.org.

United Way and The Volunteer Center Partner for National Volunteer Week

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro and The Volunteer Center of Greensboro have partnered to provide the community with over 20 volunteer opportunities during National Volunteer Week, April, 23 – 29.

Volunteer opportunities throughout the week include sorting food items to be delivered to those in need, a beautification project in Barber Park, a roadside clean up on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and more.

Volunteer opportunities offered through National Volunteer Week can be found at: UnitedWayGSO.org/volunteer.

“United Way and The Volunteer Center are excited to get people engaged in acts of service. We’ve collaborated with a variety of nonprofit organizations to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences to make local impact,” says Radiah Pinckney, Manager of Volunteer and Community at United Way of Greater Greensboro.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.

“Through volunteerism, we have the power to bring real and positive change to our communities. Our acts of service don’t have to be huge to be important- a simple act of kindness can change everything. It’s through volunteering that we can truly come to understand and serve the needs of the community,” says Hope Tyler, Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement at The Volunteer Center.

Ben & Jerry’s Partners with United Way for Free Cone Day April 4

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

Ben & Jerry’s Friendly Center is partnering with United Way of Greater Greensboro for the second year in a row to celebrate “Free Cone Day” on Tuesday, April 4, 12 to 8 p.m.

Free Cone Day offers every visitor to Ben & Jerry’s a free ice cream scoop of their choice.

Free Cone Day will take over the central plaza of Friendly Center and will feature outdoor games, a DJ, and special appearances by the Greensboro Swarm mascot and the North Carolina A&T State University drum line, pep band, and cheerleaders.

Ben & Jerry’s celebrates Free Cone Day every year as a thank you to their customers. The celebration has grown over the years into a global event at Ben & Jerry’s locations around the world.

Participants will have the opportunity to make a donation to United Way during the event, and 100% of donations received will be given to support United Way’s efforts to reduce poverty in the greater Greensboro community.

Family Economic Success Day Offers Free Tax Prep

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro knows the importance of a family’s financial health and has teamed up with BB&T Bank to host its fourth annual Family Economic Success Day, Tuesday, February 28, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a new location this year – Guilford Child Development, 1200 Arlington St, Greensboro, NC 27406.

Family Economic Success Day offers free state and federal income tax preparation and filing by IRS-certified volunteers, workshops on financial topics, and BB&T will utilize their mobile Bank Bus to provide free credit reports and reviews to those who qualify for tax prep.

  • Free tax preparation is available to: 

People whose households earned $54,000 or less in 2016.

  • Appointments are required: 

Contact Zandra Cuff at United Way at Zandra.Cuff@unitedwaygso.org or 336-378-5029.

  • What people need to bring: 

To receive free tax preparation services, people must bring a photo ID for themselves and spouse (if applicable), all W2s and tax documents, and actual social security cards or proof of ITIN numbers for every person in the household. A copy of last year’s tax return will save a lot of time.

“Many people don’t know that they can get their both state and federal taxes done for free through VITA. People living on a low or moderate income could really use that few hundred dollars out of their refund instead of paying for tax prep,” says Sarah Glover, Community Impact Manager, United Way of Greater Greensboro.

“BB&T’s CRA Department is committed to enriching our neighborhoods through community development, leadership and innovation. Dedicating our Bank Bus as a mobile VITA site is an innovative approach that brings money-saving services directly to our neighbors in need. We are proud to partner with the United Way and Guilford Child Development to provide this service to the community”, John Stokes, VP / Community Development Specialist.

For people who cannot attend Family Economic Success Day, United Way also coordinate additional free income tax preparation across Greensboro at times and locations. Taxpayers can call 2-1-1 to find a site near them. Additionally, for people who want to prepare their own taxes, MyFreeTaxes.com is available to those whose households earned up to $64,000.

Family Economic Success Day is made possible by United Way of Greater Greensboro, BB&T Bank, Guilford Child Development, the IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, Senior Resources of Guilford, and local VITA volunteers.

 

City of Greensboro and United Way Seek to Engage Volunteers During National Mentoring Month

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

January is National Mentoring Month, and this year the City of Greensboro and United Way of Greater Greensboro are celebrating 15 years of the mentoring movement and expanding quality mentoring opportunities in support of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative.

This is an opportunity to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults by identifying youth employment and mentoring programs throughout the City of Greensboro.

The City is partnering with United Way’s African-American Male Initiative to provide mentors for our African-American, Hispanic and other male students, under the MBK model. Mentoring starts in grades 2nd – 5th at Wiley Elementary, 6th – 8th at Jackson Middle and 9th grade at Smith High School. Approximately 140 boys are eligible to participate in the program between the three schools.

“Over the past 15 years, mentoring has gained tremendous momentum, in large part due to National Mentoring Month. Mentoring is a critical part of developing life changing relationships – mentoring is proven to have a positive effect on academic, social, and economic outcomes for our young people,” said Mayor Nancy Vaughan.

“Too many young people right here in Greensboro lack sufficient support to succeed in school and in life,” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Greensboro. “ Each of us has the power to truly impact the future for our youth by simply being a caring adult in their life as a friend and mentor.”

Research shows mentors can play a powerful role in providing youngsters with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and excel in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like gang activity or drug use.

In turn, young people who are mentored:

  • 55% more likely to be enrolled in college
  • 81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities
  • 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities
  • More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team

Yet, the same research shows that nine million young people in our country will grow up without a mentor. National Mentoring Month each January allows for unique engagement from community members interested in becoming a mentor. This year, with the support of the mentoring community, we are encouraging the public to go beyond just digital engagement – and become involved in making a real life impact.

Mentoring relationships are at their best when connections are made between a caring adult and a young person who knows that someone is there to help guide them through those real life decisions. Pledge to be a mentor today, by contacting the United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Other important dates for National Mentoring Month include:

January 12, 2017: “I Am a Mentor Day”
A day for volunteer mentors to celebrate their role and reflect on the ways mentees have enhanced their world and share their stories about being a mentor on social media using #MentorIRL.

January 16, 2017: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
A day to share in the inspirational words of MLK, Jr., and elevate the spirit of service through volunteerism.

January 17, 2017: International Mentoring Day
A day of international conversations on social media where photos, video and messages to share powerful mentoring stories.

January 19, 2017: “Thank Your Mentor Day” 

A day for all who have real life mentoring experiences to thank those who helped them on their path to adulthood and beyond when we encourage anyone who has had a mentor to say thank you by sending a note, a card or sharing a story on social media using #MentorIRL.

To learn more about the role mentoring plays in our community and to find volunteer opportunities, click here.

About National Mentoring Month
National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, with support from the Highland Street Foundation. Each year since its launch in 2002, National Mentoring Month has enjoyed the strong support of the President and the United States Congress.

Other prominent individuals who have participated in the campaign include: Maya Angelou, former President Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Quincy Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., Bill Russell and Usher.

United Way Joins Drive to Help Kayser-Roth Employees Impacted by Hurricane Matthew

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

United Way of Greater Greensboro is supporting Kayser-Roth’s local efforts to supply food and relief items for the over 500 Kayser-Roth employees located in Lumberton who were impacted by hurricane Matthew. Kayser-Roth is headquartered in Greensboro and will deliver donated items to Lumberton employees later this week.

People can drop off food and relief items at one of two locations:

  • By 5 p.m. this Wednesday at United Way, 1500 Yanceyville St. in Greensboro
  • By 1 p.m. this Thursday at Kayser-Roth headquarters, 102 Corporate Center Blvd. in Greensboro

Needed supplies include:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • New clothing (especially underwear and undershirts/t-shirts)
  • Toiletries and personal hygiene items
  • New or gently used (and cleaned) blankets
  • New or gently used (and cleaned) coats/jackets

White House Summit for My Brother’s Keeper Communities in NC Takes Place at United Way of Greater Greensboro

Posted on by Shelby Newsome

In advance of the President’s trip to Greensboro for the student forum hosted by ESPN, The White House, in coordination with Bloomberg Associates, hosted a summit on My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) in North Carolina to highlight progress and provide technical assistance to bolster local efforts. The summit took place at United Way of Greater Greensboro.

The MBK Community Challenge encourages communities (cities, rural municipalities, and tribal nations) to implement a coherent cradle-to-college-and-career strategy.

The goal is to improve the life outcomes of all young people to ensure they can reach their full potential. Nearly 250 mayors, tribal leaders, and county executives in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have accepted the MBK Community Challenge. www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper

Ten communities in North Carolina have accepted the MBK Community Challenge since September 2014. This summit convened North Carolina’s MBK Communities, including heads of local government, MBK leadership from the federal government, national nonprofits and local youth, to discuss strategies and resources for success in their MBK initiatives.

Locally, United Way of Greater Greensboro is creating new partnerships for a community-wide plan with city, county, education, nonprofit and concerned citizens to drive positive outcomes for men and young boys of color.

The resulting action plans will focus on mentoring and summer youth employment to start. Michelle Gethers-Clark, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Greensboro, says, “When a child is exposed to positive and new experiences their aspirations change. And an employed young person learns the expectations of life first hand.”

Mentors and 2017 summer jobs are needed.  Contact United Way of Greater Greensboro to get connected.

The initiative aims to bring together government, law enforcement, business, nonprofit, philanthropic, faith, and community leaders around shared goals for young people. MBK seeks to establish strategies that ensure all:

  • Children enter school cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally prepared
  • Children read at grade level by third grade
  • Young people graduate from high school
  • Young people complete post-secondary education or training
  • Youth out of school are employed
  • Young people are safe from violent crime.