Category: News release

Sloan and Benjamin Families Honored by United Way as Top Philanthropic Leaders

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At 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018, 600 people will attend United Way of Greater Greensboro’s annual Speakers Series at Grandover Resort & Conference Center to hear Leigh Anne Tuohy, the inspirational subject of The Blind Side, share her amazing personal story about the power of turning around to help others.

During the luncheon United Way will present two annual awards that will honor members of the Sloan and Benjamin families for their tremendous compassion and impact in our community.

2018 United Way of Greater Greensboro Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
Linda and Tom Sloan.

2018 United Way of Greater Greensboro Legacy Award Recipients
Joan and Mente Benjamin, Ann and Ben Zuraw, and Bill and Margaret Benjamin.

“We are so fortunate to have such caring and generous families in our community. We are honored to recognize them for their leadership in philanthropy and overall desire to do good. They are true heroes and lead a life of authentic compassion,” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Greensboro.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals or couples who demonstrate a history of extraordinary leadership, philanthropy, and true “love of mankind”. In addition, they exemplify a shared dedication to United Way of Greater Greensboro’s mission, vision, and values through decades of service and exceptional support of programs that transform lives in our community. We are delighted to recognize the Sloans for a lifetime of giving and compassion.

Past Lifetime Achievement Recipients:
Dr. Preston Clark – 2017 Community Speaker Series
David and Joann Grimes – 2016 Community Speaker Series
James “Smitty” Smith – 2015 Community Speaker Series
Royce and Jane Reynolds – 2014 Community Speaker Series
Dr. Maya Angelou 2013 – Women in Philanthropy Luncheon
Dr. Edward B. Fort – 2013 AAL Speaker Series
Dr. Alvin V. Blount, Jr. – 2012 AAL Speaker Series

The Legacy Award is presented to families who demonstrate a legacy of giving and community impact. In addition, they exemplify a shared dedication to United Way of Greater Greensboro’s mission, vision and values through service and exceptional support of programs that transform lives in our community. We are delighted to recognize the Benjamin Family for their love of mankind and family legacy of generosity in our community.

Past Legacy Award Recipients:
Alan and Sally Cone 2016
Betty and Benjamin Cone 2016
Phyllis Shavitz, Joy Shavitz 2014
Kay Stern, Katherine Weaver 2013
Tobee Kaplan, Kathy Manning 2013

More About the Sloan Family
Linda and Tom Sloan have demonstrated incredible leadership with United Way as loyal Tocqueville Society members. They continue to lead the charge to create positive impact throughout Greensboro.

Linda’s leadership can be seen across Triad Stage, Women to Women, Green Hill, United Arts Council, UNC-G College of Visual and Performing Arts, Touring Theatre, Hospice and Palliative Care, Greensboro Day School, The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, and United Way.

Tom’s leadership has benefited Cone Health System, University of Rochester, UNC-G, Triad Stage, Greensboro Jewish Federation, The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Greensboro Jewish Foundation, and Temple Emanuel.

“It is a privilege to be able to give back to the community and to be able to invest in the future of Greensboro. Charitable giving is about giving to people who are involved in ideas and organizations that you trust and value. We have always had great confidence in United Way leadership and the impact of United Way,” said Tom and Linda Sloan.

More About the Benjamin Family
The Benjamin family has a long legacy of multi-generational philanthropy and enrichment within the greater Greensboro community. Their family has made the community a better place for all. They have devoted their time, energy, and funding to help those in need. Their family legacy of commitment to United Way and other organizations is remarkable.

Leading by example almost 100 years ago, Ann and Bill Benjamin’s great grandfather, Emanuel Sternberger, was a founding board member of The Community Chest which was the precursor of United Way of Greater Greensboro.

The Emmanuel Sternberger Educational Fund established in 1925 by Mrs. Bertha S. Sternberger to honor her late husband Emanuel Sternberger continues to provide scholarships.

Other donations by their family to Greensboro include property for the Sternberger Children’s Hospital, Wesley Long Hospital, Benjamin Bog Garden, The Blanche S. Benjamin Branch Library, Bertha Sternberger School, and Benjamin Parkway. In addition, they donated property used as headquarters for Junior Achievement and The Junior League of Greensboro.

Joan and Mente Benjamin, Ann and Bill’s parents, have been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. They are loyal Tocqueville Society contributors to United Way. Through their long-time support of United Way, they inspired their family to continue their philanthropic tradition.

Ann and her husband Ben Zuraw are dedicated United Way supporters and have served both locally and at the international level.

Ann serves on the United Way Worldwide Leadership Council. She is past chair of United Way Tocqueville Women and currently serves on the Women United Cabinet and Tocqueville Strategy Committee. Her additional leadership and community support include Well Spring Retirement Community, Triad Stage and The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.

Ben has served on the board of directors of United Way, Partners Ending Homelessness, WellSpring Solutions, and volunteers at Greensboro Day School.

Bill and Margaret Benjamin have also been long time United Way supporters and active volunteers. Both Margaret and Bill have served on the United Way allocation review committees and have a legacy of service to our community.

Bill’s leadership has been instrumental to Boy Scouts, Green Hill, City of Greensboro Redevelopment Commission, NC Association of CPA’s, Greensboro Science Center and ArtsGreensboro.

Margaret has provided exceptional leadership to the following organizations: Weatherspoon Art Museum, LSU Museum of Art, Greensboro Historical Museum, Museum Trustee Association Board of Directors, Greensboro Downtown Parks, LeBauer Park, Greensboro’s Public Art Endowment, Greensboro Public Library Foundation, Children’s Home Society and Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association
among others.

“We are so proud to build on the example Emanuel Sternberger set for the Benjamin family to continue a legacy of giving in the community. Our heartfelt thanks to United Way for its outstanding tradition of leadership and service in making our community a more caring and more united place now and into the future,” said Margaret and Bill Benjamin.

The 2018 United Way Community Speaker Series is open to the public and tickets and sponsorships are available. For more information, contact United Way at 336.378.6600 or visit their website at https://www.unitedwaygso.org/speakerseries/

GSO Tornado Relief: City Closing its Two Disaster Relief Centers; Shifting Focus to Long-Term Recovery

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City Closing its Two Disaster Relief Centers; Shifting Focus to Long-Term Recovery

The City of Greensboro is closing its two Disaster Relief Centers this week as it transitions its focus from tornado response to long-term recovery efforts. The Peeler Recreation Center location is closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, and the Willow Oaks Community Center location is closing at noon on Friday, May 4. The two sites have been open for more than a week to assist residents affected by the April 15 tornado.

The City is still attempting to contact all former occupants of homes that were destroyed, or suffered major damage, during the tornado. It’s also awaiting decisions from state and federal agencies for financial support, who surveyed the affected areas last week.

Financial assistance may be available to help residents secure housing through the Greensboro Housing Coalition. Affected residents are encouraged to call the coalition at 336-691-9521 or the City’s Neighborhood Development Department at 336-373-2349. The coalition may also connect families in need with the Red Cross for financial assistance if available.

All homeowners who have been displaced because of a destroyed home or significant damage should contact the Red Cross to see if they qualify for disaster relief funds. The Red Cross will be at the Willow Oaks Community Center until noon on Friday, May 4. After this time, the Red Cross is open at its 1501 Yanceyville St. location.

Beginning at noon on Friday, May 4, residents may pick up food and supplies previously donated to the City at the following community partner locations:

  • Mt. Olivet AME Zion Church2123 McConnell Rd.
    Contact: Janice Holt, 336-327-7199
    Open 12-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
  • Genesis Baptist Church2182 E. Bessemer Ave.
    Contact: Rev. Calvin Foster, 336-587-7318
    Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
  • New Light Missionary Baptist Church1105 Willow Rd.
    Contact: Tonja Fant, 336-478-7417
    Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
  • Salvation Army Food Pantry1311 S. Eugene St.
    Open 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Fridays
  • Greensboro Urban Ministry Food Pantry305 W. Gate City Blvd.
    Open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
  • St. Mary’s Catholic Church812 Duke St.
    Contact: Becky Dubois, 336-705-4805
    Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays
  • The Islamic Center of Greensboro
    2023 16th St.
    Contact: Moussa Issifou, 336-255-1870
    Open from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, May 4 and from 9-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6

GSO Tornado Relief: Fund Distribution Update

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United Way of Greater Greensboro is pleased to announce it has directed $64,000 from GSO Tornado Relief donations to the Greensboro Housing Coalition for immediate housing stability and rehousing of households impacted by the April 15, 2018 tornado in Greensboro, NC.

“Housing is the most important human need we can give our neighbors. The outpouring of love and compassion in the community is great and we want to say thank you to everyone for being heroes. We are stronger together,” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Greensboro.

The Greensboro Housing Coalition’s main relief focus at this time is to assist households whose homes were completely destroyed or experienced major damage, as assessed by Guilford County Emergency Management Services.

As GSO Tornado Relief donations continue to be collected and processed, United Way will issue weekly checks as identified and directed by the City and Guilford County Disaster Response committee.

The committee has determined future United Way GSO Tornado Relief distributions will be directed based on need to a combination of housing, getting students back in school, getting adults back to work, and basic needs.

GSO Tornado Relief: Ways to Get Help, Give and Volunteer

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In response to the April 15, 2018 tornado that affected our neighbors, we will continue to collaborate with official disaster response representatives. As updated information is available, we are committed to passing it along as soon as possible. 

Tornado Assistance:

Impacted residents may pick up food and supplies at the following community partner locations:

  • Mt. Olivet AME Zion Church2123 McConnell Rd.
    Contact: Janice Holt, 336-327-7199
    Open 12-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
  • Genesis Baptist Church2182 E. Bessemer Ave.
    Contact: Rev. Calvin Foster, 336-587-7318
    Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
  • New Light Missionary Baptist Church1105 Willow Rd.
    Contact: Tonja Fant, 336-478-7417
    Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
  • Salvation Army Food Pantry1311 S. Eugene St.
    Open 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Fridays
  • Greensboro Urban Ministry Food Pantry305 W. Gate City Blvd.
    Open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
  • St. Mary’s Catholic Church812 Duke St.
    Contact: Becky Dubois, 336-705-4805
    Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays
  • The Islamic Center of Greensboro
    2023 16th St.
    Contact: Moussa Issifou, 336-255-1870
    Open from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, May 4 and from 9-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6

Monetary Donations:

With the coordinated support of the City of Greensboro and Guilford County, United Way of Greater Greensboro is accepting monetary donations to support local organizations working directly with children, families and adults impacted by the tornado.

Local organizations receiving funding will be selected by the City of Greensboro and Guilford County Disaster Response Committee.

  • Donations can be made online securely through United Way www.UnitedWayGSO.org.
  • Donations can be mailed to, or dropped off at, United Way of Greater Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St., Greensboro, NC 27405. Checks should indicate the donation is for “Tornado Relief.” Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Volunteer Information: 

Ben & Jerry’s Partners with United Way for Free Cone Day April 10

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2018 Free Cone Day | Ben & Jerry's United Way of Greater GreensboroBen & Jerry’s Friendly Center is partnering with United Way of Greater Greensboro for the third year in a row to celebrate “Free Cone Day” on Tuesday, April 10, 12 to 8 p.m. The media is invited.

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 North Carolina A&T State University drumline, pep band, and dancers.

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.

 

 

 

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Inspirational Subject of The Blind Side, Leigh Anne Tuohy, at United Way’s Community Speakers Series

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Leigh Anne Tuohy | 2018 Community Speaker SeriesInspirational Subject of The Blind Side, Leigh Anne Tuohy, at United Way’s Community Speakers Series

Greensboro, NC (March 16, 2018) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is welcoming the inspirational subject of The Blind Side and New York Times best-selling author, Leigh Anne Tuohy, as this year’s keynote for the 2018 Community Speaker Series at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center on May 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The media is invited to attend.

Leigh Anne and her family legally adopted a teenage homeless foster child. They raised and educated him and encouraged his passion for football. He later became the NFL Super Bowl Champion, Michael Oher.

Her personal journey was later documented in Michael Lewis’ New York Times best-selling 2006 story The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, which follows Oher from his impoverished hopeless beginnings to how Leigh Anne and her husband, Sean, adopted him to reach football success. In 2009, the book was adapted into the film, The Blind Side in which Sandra Bullock portrayed Leigh Anne in an Academy Award winning role.

At United Way’s event, Leigh Anne will share her personal “Blind Side” observations, from seeing Michael for the first time to how the experience changed her as a person and the Tuohy’s as a family. She will also share the importance of recognizing the full potential of individuals in our community and inspiring us to recognize value in others.

Leigh Anne has authored two New York Times best-selling books, entitled Turn Around: Reach Out, Give Back, and Get Moving and In a Heartbeat: Sharing the power of Cheerful Giving

The Tuohy’s continue to make an impact nationwide with the establishment of their charity, The Making It Happen Foundation, which promotes awareness, provides hope, and improves standards of living for all the children fighting to survive in the invisible cracks of society. In 2010, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Christian Brothers University and is a member on the Board of Directors for Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, an organization dedicated to supporting teens on their path to graduate from high school and prepare them for a successful future.

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 Women United 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/SpeakerSeries.

 

 

 

Six United Way Partners Receive Statewide Spirit Awards, Cone Health Honored as Exceeding Excellence

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Spirit of NC 2017Six United Way Partners Receive Statewide Spirit Awards, Cone Health Honored as Exceeding Excellence

Greensboro, NC (February 27, 2018) – Six local United Way of Greater Greensboro partners were honored with Spirit of North Carolina Awards at United Way of North Carolina’s annual award luncheon on February 21. Cone Health was additionally honored with an Excellence in Community Spirit Award.

Each year, the United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) recognizes and awards companies and organizations that demonstrate strong community support through local United Way involvement. The Spirit of North Carolina Award celebrates the partnership of people working together to develop and implement innovative solutions for long-term community change.

Local Spirit of NC Award winners include:

Hunter Elementary
Jesse Wharton Elementary School
Northwest Middle School
Youth Focus, Inc.
Guilford County Schools
Cone Health

“We are so grateful to this year’s winners for being collaborative, hands-on partnership and corporate supporters. This year’s winners led the way with campaigns that communicated the important message of our work while creating a spirit of healthy competition and engagement” says Nadine Malpass, Senior Vice President, Resource Development, United Way of Greater Greensboro.

UWNC also honored Cone Health with an Excellence in Community Spirit Award, which is not awarded every year, for far exceeding its Spirit of North Carolina Award standards of excellence. Cone Health stood out from other award winners not only because of their number of volunteer hours and financial donations, but the number of lives they impacted in the three NC counties they serve.

Excellence on Community Spirit Award:

·       Cone Health

Skip Hislop, Vice President, Oncology Services and chair of the Cone Health United Way Campaign, accepted the award on behalf of all Cone Health employees.

“Our employees give of their hearts every day and the work of the United Way is an extension of that. It is easy for us to support an organization that shares our values and commitment to the communities we serve,” says Hislop.

“Cone Health Network is an excellent example of people who care about all aspects of humanity and doing good for others,” says Michelle Gethers-Clark, United Way of Greater Greensboro president and CEO.

Winners were determined by a panel of 20 judges from United Way organizations across the state. For more information about the Spirit of North Carolina Award and a complete list of winners, visit unitedwaync.org/spirit-north-carolina-award-winners.

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OUR PARTNERSHIPS END POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro supports solutions that work together to end poverty. Our partners provide basic needs, access to care, learning opportunities and financial stability so your community can thrive. The federal government defines poverty as family of four earning $24,600 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $60,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.unitedwaygso.org

College Students Invited to Apply for United Way Alternative Spring Break

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LoveGSO Spring Break Greensboro, NC (February 7, 2018) – United Way of Greater Greensboro is seeking college students to participate in a local Alternative Spring Break, March 5 – 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Interested students must complete a short application by February 23, by visiting www.UnitedWayGSO.org/SpringBreak

10 to 12 local college students will be chosen through the application process have hands-on volunteer experiences and exclusive “behind the scenes” visits to awesome Greensboro businesses.

Volunteer activities include street clean up, community garden work, sorting donations and painting.

Behind the scenes locations include FORGE, Center for Creative Leadership, HQ Makers Space, International Civil Rights Museum and Revolution Mill.

Breakfast snacks and lunch will be provided daily.

Participants must be able to meet at United Way’s office each morning – travel to volunteer and behind the scenes location will be provided.

United Way Receives $210,000 Grant to Help Local Women Earn GEDs and Increase Financial Stability

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United Way of Greater Greensboro has received a $210,000 grant from the Women to Women Fund of The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro to help local women earn GEDs and increase their financial stability.

 

United Way will receive $70,000 a year over the next three years to support programming at its Family Success Center (FSC) which connects families with education, work and income supports, employment and career advancement, access to health and wellness services, and financial education and asset building.

United Way serves as the strategic leader of the FSC and leverages relationships with 30 human services experts, business leaders, governmental agencies and philanthropists to develop solutions. The FSC is located at Guilford Child Development and its integrated service delivery approach connects families with resources and services that reduce the impact of poverty.

Grant funds will be used to:

  • Support local women at the FSC who are on the path to earning GEDs and skills training to prepare them for employment and job advancement.
  • Ensure that children of mothers in the GED program obtain on-site, high-quality childcare and afterschool care.

The FSC’s GED program is the only high school equivalency degree completion program in Guilford County that offers on-site high-quality childcare. This cornerstone two-generation approach to learning has been identified as a main reason mothers participate.

National statistics indicate that 80% of the 12 million children living with a single parent live with their single mother. In most cities, including Greensboro, female headed households with pre-school aged children are experiencing 40% poverty rates. United Way of Greater Greensboro is creating partnerships to reduce generational poverty by increasing household income to the point of self-sufficiency and financial stability.

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

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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