Days of Caring

14th annual Days of Caring, September 6th - 11th

Paint a shelter. Clean a park. Build a trail. Plant a community garden. Serve a meal. Sort donations. Join hands. Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Show the community how you LIVE UNITED and join us!

Each year Days of Caring provides an opportunity for volunteer groups from companies, schools, churches, and other community groups across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties to evoke change and create positive impact in the areas of education, income, and health. Volunteer groups choose from a variety of projects hosted by non-profit and government agencies that fit their interests and availability.  All volunteers receive valuable information about the agency they are serving and the work being done across the Mid-Willamette Valley to improve the common good. 

Volunteer Groups

Joining the volunteer community during Days of Caring is easy. Each volunteer group needs to choose a group leader. The group leader will facilitate picking a community project to volunteer with that fits your schedule and group size and is impacting a community issue that your group is interested in. Multiple choices in dates, times, and projects are available. Registration deadline is July 26.

Start Here: Volunteer!

Volunteers with questions can contact Khela Singer-Adams at 1-877-372-4141 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Partner Agencies Interested in Hosting a Project - Proposals Due July 2nd

Participation in Days of Caring is open to all 501c3 and government agencies serving Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties.  Priority will be given to current United Way Funded Agencies and HandsOn Partner Agencies.  Below is all the information you will need to successfully propose a project for this year’s Days of Caring.  We are excited to support a wide variety of community projects, so don’t hesitate to propose more than one. We will be looking for over 70 Done-In-A-Day projects for this year’s event!

Start Here: Propose a Project!

Required Forms:
Project Proposal Form DUE JULY 2nd
Agency Agreement DUE JULY 2nd

Agencies with questions can contact Melissa Gibler at 1-877-372-4141 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Press Releases

Current News

New Research Proves the Business Case for Product Giving

New Research Proves the Business Case for Product Giving

Researchers at Indiana University Conclude that Giving Corporate Product Donations is Economically Superior to Liquidation or Disposal

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., January 24, 2012 – New research from Indiana University concludes that businesses can do well by doing good through product philanthropy. Donating products to charities helps corporate bottom lines, reduces waste in landfills, and provides relief for people in need. With a record number of Americans living in poverty today, product donations allow people to use their limited resources to pay for food, health care, prescription drugs, utilities and other vital needs.
The study, released today by Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), provides the first detailed examination of the return on investment for donating merchandise as opposed to liquidating or destroying it.
“This research demonstrates that donating products can result in substantial financial and social benefits for minimal cost and risk,” said Justin Ross, assistant professor of public finance and economics and the lead researcher for this study. “Additionally, working with a nonprofit that can match companies with charities lowers corporate costs associated with product philanthropy.”

Good360, a nonprofit that has worked in product giving for almost 30 years, approached the School of Public and Environmental Affairs last year do the study. As many retailers and other companies approach the end of their fiscal years on Jan. 31, the research provides new and timely information to help them make good decisions about their excess and slow-moving merchandise.

Additional findings include:
- Product giving presents a considerable financial advantage over cash donations because it can carry an enhanced tax deduction.
- Product donations can provide the same image enhancement benefits as marketing and advertising programs and at a lower cost.
- Companies that engage in product philanthropy avoid fees and negative branding implications associated with disposal of excess inventory.
- Product donation is superior to liquidation in most circumstances, and the report provides a rule of thumb for companies wishing to make quick cost comparisons.

In addition to providing an economic justification for retailers, manufacturers and distributors to donate excess merchandise, the report gives managers a framework for analyzing the costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities of implementing a product philanthropy program.

“We hope that the report will inspire more companies to consider product donation as a viable alternative to liquidation or disposal,” said Cindy Hallberlin, president and CEO of Good360, the nation’s nonprofit leader in product philanthropy. “For many there is an untapped strategic opportunity to use product giving to advance the business and have substantial social impact on the communities and causes about which they care deeply. Rarely is there such a win-win between business and social good.”
For more information on the research collaboration and links to research findings, please visit: http://about.good360.org/productdonationresearch.

For those interested in hearing more about this new research, SPEA and Good360 will host a webinar today at 2 p.m. to present key findings and answer questions. Space is limited. Please register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/684724881.

About SPEA
Indiana University’s SPEA (http://www.indiana.edu/~spea/) is a world leader in public and environmental affairs and is the largest school of public administration and public policy in the United States. In the 2009 “Best Graduate Schools” by U.S. News & World Report, SPEA ranks second and is the nation’s highest-ranked professional graduate program in public affairs at a public institution. Six of its specialty programs are ranked in the top 10 listings. SPEA’s doctoral programs in public affairs and public policy are ranked by the National Academy of Science as the best in the country.

About Good360
Good360 (http://about.good360.org), formerly Gifts In Kind International, is the world’s leading nonprofit in product philanthropy and is ranked as one of the top ten most efficient charities by Forbes magazine. Working with many of the nation’s top retailers and brands, Good360 provides needed products to more than 23,000 qualified nonprofit organizations. Over the last 28 years, Good360 has delivered over $7 billion of donated products. From retail store donations in thousands of communities to employee product giving programs, Good360 continues to identify new ways to efficiently move resources to the communities that need help most.

In 2010, the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Good360 worked together on research that analyzed the social and environmental impact of The Framing Hope Product Donation Program, a program that was created by The Home Depot and Good360.

For more information:
Steve Hinnefeld, Indiana University Communications
Phone: (812) 856-3488
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Melissa Trumpower, Good360 Communications
Phone: (703) 299-7547
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.facebook.com/good360.org
@Good360org

Listen to and believe violence victims

The number of calls answered by domestic and sexual violence programs in Oregon totaled nearly 170,000 during 2010. Calls included individuals requesting help related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other unsafe situations.

Communities across Oregon responded with assistance according to their capabilities, sheltering 2,763 adults, 300 teens and 2,031 children. More than 22,700 requests for shelter and safety from violence could not be met. This number is a 17 percent increase as compared to unmet calls for 2009.

In Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, nearly 15,000 requests for help were received via help lines, with a total of 400 sheltered as part of domestic-violence programs. Of those sheltered, 46 percent were younger than 18 years of age.

Issues related to violence continued unabated during 2011.

Clearly the call for help needs to be answered. Those who are unsafe need to be sheltered. Education needs to be in place to promote awareness and prevention. Unfortunately, shelter and safety programs and services do not have adequate funding to meet the need.

One way to slow down the increase in domestic violence in our community is to take an active role as citizens.

Listen and believe. Domestic violence is veiled in secrecy. Often when a person reaches out to a friend or family member to describe a situation that feels unsafe, the listener doesn’t want to believe the abuser has violent tendencies. Listen and let the person know you believe him or her.

Don’t question. Don’t ask questions that put the fault on the survivor, such as “Why do you stay?” or “How could you let this happen?” Keep in mind that the fault for domestic violence lies with the abuser, not the victim.

Offer support. Calling Mid-Valley 211 can connect victims of domestic violence to various services and programs available in the community. Help lines are staffed by trained call specialists who listen carefully and offer appropriate support for emergency and long-term assistance.

Take care of yourself. Often we feel traumatized when close friends or family members share a story of domestic violence. Help lines can help you work through your emotions.

Be aware and speak out. There are many ways to get involved and support the effort to build awareness and prevention. Volunteer at a shelter, donate money or items needed to a domestic violence agency, or enroll in a community class to learn more and become an advocate.

In addition to Mid-Valley 211, our community offers 24-hour assistance for victims of abuse. In Marion County, contact the Mid-Valley Crisis Center at (503) 399-7722 or (866) 399-7722. In Polk County, call Sable House at (503) 623-4033 or (866) 305-3030. In Yamhill County, contact Henderson House at (503) 472-1503 or (877) 227-5946.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Disaster Volunteers Needed!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:Austin Rowlader | HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley | Community Mobilizer

Disaster Volunteers Needed!

January 19, 2012 –- The Mid-Valley’s been hit with quite a few rain drops in the last 24 hours and volunteers are needed to help the area’s Emergency Management Teams with efforts to keep all those rain drops where they’re supposed to be.

To volunteer, go to database.handsonmwv.org and search for ‘disaster’ or call 503-364-1005.

Always remember, the first step in disaster volunteering is to make sure you and your loved ones are safe. For more information go to: ready.gov.

HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley is Marion County’s official Emergency Volunteer Manager. Please contact with any volunteer needs or interest by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by phone at 503-364-1005.

What: Disaster Volunteers
When:  Now until the rain stops
Where:  Mid-Willamette Valley
Contact:  Austin Rowlader 503-364-1005 or visit HandsOnmwv.org

HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley – Do good. Be together. Smile.

United Way Transitions HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley to become part of Community Action Agency

January 12, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Way Transitions HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley to become part of Community Action Agency

As part of a community-wide initiative fostered in 2006, HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley was started to support non-profits seeking volunteers and to satisfy the needs of volunteers to make meaningful connections to these opportunities. Originally called the Volunteer and Mentor Center, HandsOn has been housed at the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley for the past five years and has flourished during this time. Currently, HandsOn supports the work of over 200 community partners in building effective volunteer management strategies throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. 

Since its inception, a large portion of the financial support and resources required to operate HandsOn have come directly from the United Way. The original plan for HandsOn was to start and grow the program and then successfully transition it out of the United Way.  On February 1, 2012 United Way will transition the HandsOn program and services permanently to Community Action Agency, a long-time and well established United Way community partner. 

Community Action is a private non-profit 501(c)3, operating seven programs that primarily serve Marion and Polk counties, with some services reaching as far as Lincoln and Tillamook Counties.  Community Action’s priority is to develop long-term strategies to lessen poverty by identifying solutions, delivery services, and moving individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.  HandsOn’s emphasis on community wide volunteer involvement aligns perfectly with Community Action’s mission and vision for a stronger community. 

“We are thrilled to bring HandsOn into the Community Action family.  This final step in this great collaborative effort is a testament to the strength of this program and the outstanding future that a waits”, Teresa Cox, CAA Executive Director. 

“United Way is committed to nurturing and growing great community assets like HandsOn.  This program is successful and ready to be on its own.  We celebrate the transition of this program to Community Action Agency”.  Jim Edmonds, United Way Board President.
       
For more information Cyndi Astley @ (503) 585-6232 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Partnership helps nonprofits with in-kind gifts

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is a community redistribution partner through Good360, a partnership that allows the United Way to obtain tens of thousands of dollars of retail goods, which are redistributed to local nonprofit agencies.

Known as the Gifts in Kind program, the local United Way received and redistributed more than $100,000 of in-kind goods to qualified nonprofits during the fiscal year ending in 2011.

The Gifts in Kind program launched during 2000 with a single retail partner — Bed Bath and Beyond. Since then, the local United Ways have worked hard to add additional partners, thus increasing the ability to provide a wider variety of goods. Today, retail participants include The Home Depot, South Salem; Guess Outlet, Woodburn Company Stores; Van Heusen Outlet, Lincoln City; Torrid, Salem Center; and Avenue, Keizer Station.

As nonprofits face declining monetary donations and struggle to make ends meet, this program allows them to redirect funds toward other much-needed programs and services. Gifts in Kind, as a community resource, has become vital to sustainability for many nonprofits.

Gifts in Kind works because it is largely a team effort.

Retail employees collect, organize, track and sometimes deliver the donated products. Local United Way staff and volunteers pick up items weekly or bi-monthly, sort, and prepare them for distribution.

Once a month, agency representatives or volunteers select products and ensure that they get into the hands of those who need them most.

Because this is a donation-based endeavor, funding is minimal — with the only expenses being annual fees for the Good360 partnership and the storage space used to house the goods prior to distribution.

Nonprofit organizations that wish to participate must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt health and human service agencies that provide direct service to residents in Marion, Polk or Yamhill counties. Applications for participation are accepted and reviewed in June. Once approved, nonprofits pay a nominal fee for annual membership.

To find out more about Gifts in Kind or to donate goods, contact Kara Rotella at the local United Way office, (503) 363-1651 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

United Way offers bus passes to non profits.

The application for Cherriots bus passes for January through March 2012 is now available

Please click here to be taken to the application page.

Share a Tree with Target

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will once again partner with local Target stores to distribute holiday trees to those in need. Each year, United Way receives approximately 6 fully decorated, pre-lit Christmas trees from Target.

Please complete the form below if your agency is interested in applying to receive one or more of the trees. Responses must be submitted by Friday, December 11th 2011 to be considered.

 

‘211’ Phone Service Connecting More Oregonians To Help

David Nogueras, OPB | November 17, 2011 | Bend, OR

Everybody knows where to call if you have an emergency. Dial 911, and in most cases life saving help is just minutes away. But what if your emergency is a financial crisis that threatens to put you out of your home, or that leaves you unable to feed your kids? 211 connects those in need with agencies that can help. And in Oregon, it’s a service that’s growing rapidly. For six years now, The Shepard’s House in Bend has opened its doors to those who need help. It’s a Christian-based day shelter. Loomis Goode is the chaplain. “A lot of our guys are in recovery from drugs and alcohol. A lot of them have been in prison. And we offer them classes. We offer them a lot of counseling. So we’re a full program house,” he said.

But Goode says when people come in looking for help with things the program doesn’t provide, he often sends them to the same place. “And I’ll tell you, ‘Have you ever tried 211?’ ‘Well no, what’s that?’ So I’ll tell them what 211 is so they can make the connection ... we’ll even give them a phone let them call 211 from here,” Goode explained. For about 3 quarters of the state, 211 is a centralized clearing house for social service needs. At a call center in Portland, anywhere between 4 to 10 operators answer calls weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Most of those calls are from people who need help with the basics: housing, food, health care.

Liesl Wendt is CEO of 211 Info. That’s the non-profit that fields 211 calls in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Often people don’t know exactly what they’re calling for. They know that they’re about to be evicted from their house. They know that they have a shut-off notice from their utility company. But they don’t often know what and how to access services,” Wendt says. Operators on the other hand have that information at the tips of their fingers. Using careful listening and the most recent data, the operator can determine what the caller needs and what services might be available to them. But while operators don’t need to be in the same county as the caller to be effective, success does require regional partners on the ground to keep the database current.

Ken Wilhelm is the executive director of the United Way of Deschutes County. That agency partners with 211 Info in Central Oregon. He says the idea of a referral service is really an old idea. What’s new, he says is the technology. “You know, when I started it was index cards, a rolodex I guess would be how a lot of folks would remember it. So information technology developing as it has, it just made sense to eventually go to a digital clearing house function,” Wilhelm says. Wilhelm say 211 not only helps meet the needs of the people in the local community, but it also provides a huge benefit to the providers of services. “It creates efficiencies both for the agencies and for the person seeking help,” he explained.

Wilhelm points to a 2004 study conducted at the University of Texas. Researchers there caculated that a national 211 system could save society more than a billion dollars over the course of a decade. 211 Info’s Wendt say the service can also be a useful tool to help governments better provide services. “As resources become scarcer, I think there’s an even bigger desire to understand what’s actually happening in real time in a community. And by real time I mean what happened last month in Deschutes, who’s looking for what types of services, where are the people’s needs getting met, where are those gaps in services so that policy makers can make the best decision in the most timely way possible,” she said. 211 Info operates in 18 Oregon counties.

With the holidays and the cold weather approaching, it’s a service that’s likely to get more an more calls in the coming months. Wendt says the non-profit plans to offer service to all counties in the state by 2013.

© 2011 OPB

5 Ideas for Getting Involved in Your Community During the Holidays

So you want to help your community this holiday season, but while brainstorming ideas for the project you find yourself stumped? The media confronts us daily with the many social problems that plague our nation, without a solution in sight. It is easy to feel helpless when this information is talked about because no solution is foreseen.

It’s a good idea to start looking for holiday volunteer opportunities now, so you can be sure to find something you’d like to do. Just like shopping for a turkey the night before Thanksgiving, you might not find what you’re looking for if you wait until the last minute to find somewhere to volunteer.

It is easy to become involved in making a difference for your community by following these simple project tips. And remember, you can always get in touch with one of our HandsOn Network volunteer centers to find volunteer opportunities!

Hunger or Housing. From big to small projects there are tons of ways that you can help tackle this issue in your community! Help cook and serve meals at a soup kitchen, gather clothing and donate it to your local shelter, make toiletry kits for the homeless, make care packages full of winter clothing for your local children’s shelter, help repair a local homeless shelter, or partner with Habitat for Humanity and help with a build.

Elderly. Helping the older population in your community can be both fun and rewarding from any level. You can spend time with a senior citizen in your community, deliver meals to a homebound individual, perform home repairs or yard work for senior citizens in need, hold a social event for your local nursing home, adopt a “grandfriend” at your local nursing home and make regular visits.

Education. Education has become a big topic in the media over the years; there are many ways that you can help improve your community’s education system through volunteering. Ideas include raising money for Braille or large print books for the visually impaired, plan a school supply drive to assemble “back to school” kits for your local schools, set up a buddy system for kids needing friends, bring toys to hospitalized children, read books or the newspaper to visually impaired individuals, raise money to purchase and install playground equipment.

Health. Participate in a local AIDS or breast cancer walk, volunteer at a Special Olympics event, hold a blood drive, help a local agency create health promotion kits, host a health screening at a local store, library, or school.

Environment. You can help tackle your community’s environmental issues at many different levels. Set up a recycling center at your local school or retirement community, clean up a vacant lot or river bank, raise funds to adopt an acre of the rainforest or other habitat, clean up trash in your local park, partner with volunteers to paint a mural at a local school or park.

These are just a few tips that can be incorporated into your holiday resolutions that will make a big difference in your local community. From big to small you can help improve your community this holiday season.

For more great holiday volunteer opportunities, checkout HandsOn’s Winter Wishes Event Page.

Senior centers are in greater demand these days

Since 1900 the average life expectancy for an American increased by 30 years. That’s good news, right?

Based on census bureau statistics, (the latest year for which data is available) one in every eight Americans is aged 65 or older. That’s 39.6 million people. This age group accounted for 12.9 percent of the total population and more than 46 percent of all federal domestic spending. More than 87 percent report Social Security as their primary source of income.

The average annual health care costs for an older American earning less than $10,000 a year was $17,000. The average cost for one year of nursing home care was $76,680.

The number of persons celebrating their 100th birthday has increased 72 percent since 1990.

The older population is expected to reach 72.1 million by 2030—more than double the number during 2000—and comprise 19 percent of the total population. 

More than 516,000 older people reside in Oregon.  They make up 13.5 percent of the total population. Yet few people are aware that more than ten percent of the older population in our communities struggle with isolation, inadequate physical activity, poor nutrition, and limited access to services.

In a one-stop-shop sort of atmosphere, Center 50+, the City of Salem Senior Center, endeavors to link our older population and their families to local programs and services. Founded in 1976, Center 50+ is a collaborative partnership between the City of Salem, concerned citizens and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends of Salem Senior Center.

Located on Portland Road NE, Center 50+ offers meals, recreation, volunteer opportunities and education to more than 700 older adults daily. One valuable partnership is the Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels program, which serves more than 48,000 meals annually through a combination meal site and home delivery program.

Of the more than 15,000 senior centers in the country, only 120 are accredited and Center 50+ is one of them. That’s a notable accomplishment given that focal-point senior centers are charged with all of the following:  serve the fastest growing population of both well and frail older adults; reach out to under-served, low income and minority older adults; provide information and access to services; raise and manage funds from multiple sources; and be responsive to a broad range of community needs.

Find out more about City of Salem Senior Center by calling (503) 588-6303, or you can access their Web site at:  http://www.cityofsalem.net/residents/senior center

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director
for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

United Way begins its annual drive for workplace donations

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley held its annual campaign kick-off event Sept. 14. This luncheon marked the start of United Way’s workplace campaign effort. Workplace campaigns offer companies the opportunity to encourage giving, volunteering and advocacy in the workplace according to their overall corporate strategy and the values of their employees.

A workplace campaign offers a convenient, efficient way for employees to learn more about critical and urgent human services issues in the community and make personal, well-informed choices about how to get involved. It’s a chance for employees to learn about how past contributions have led to positive outcomes and change in our community. A United Way campaign also provides important information about programs and services that employees can use for themselves or share with friends and family.

Through payroll pledges, employees can support the United Way’s Community Impact Fund or direct their contributions toward any 501(c)(3) they feel passionate about. The United Way’s HandsOn Volunteer Action Center offers options for engaging in quality volunteer experiences. The Gifts in Kind program offers companies a chance to donate merchandise or surplus equipment that will be redistributed to nonprofit organizations.

Mid-Valley 211 is another essential resource that all employees need to be aware of.

No company is too large or too small to consider how they want to get involved in or expand community engagement.

Often, a company will rally employees around a common cause such as illiteracy, domestic violence or homeless teenagers. The focus on a common goal helps build morale and teamwork.

One company chose to focus on programs that help seniors become more independent after realizing that many employees were involved in caring for their parents. Their campaign included a United Way volunteer who talked about how to get connected to resources via Mid-Valley 211 and specific senior-related programs the United Way funds.

The United Way also brought in a speaker from an agency that works directly with seniors.

In addition, volunteer activities were organized that enabled employees to engage in different experiences with seniors and to better understand the outcomes of the services provided.

The mission of the United Way is to unite people and resources for a stronger community.

To learn more about how to host a United Way workplace campaign, schedule a presentation or receive informational materials for distribution, call Terianne Petzold at (503) 363-1651.

Local United Way director retires

On Monday afternoon in her office, Gayle Caldarazzo, 67, turns her eyes to the top right corner of her mind, looking for the words to describe the past four years.

She had just completed her last board meeting as the executive director of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and had 10 minutes to spare before a press conference to mark the launch of her last project with the nonprofit. Her last day is Sept. 30.

“It’s been just, well …” she trails off. “I don’t know how to say it.” Then she finds it: impact. That’s been the focus for Caldarazzo since she was appointed as the executive director in June 2007. “How could United Way really impact our community?” she said. Since then, the organization has grown from two full-time and three or four part-time employees to at least 10 full-time employees.

United Way’s first annual campaign since Caldarazzo became executive director collected $1.8 million, 50 percent more than the year before. The donations have been rising every year since, with the most recent campaign topping off at $2.3 million. She doesn’t have any earth-shattering secrets on how to raise money at a time when everyone seems to be pinching pennies as many people are experiencing unemployment and poverty for the first time. “Building relationships and working hard,” she says. Those were the qualities the board saw when she stepped in as the interim leader four years ago, past president Bill Wilkson said. “We knew we needed someone familiar with a lot of community leaders,” he said.

In particular, Caldarazzo strengthened relationships with the business community, which she calls the “bread and butter” for United Way. “I wanted to honor our corporations — our businesses in our areas and make them feel that they are really important to us,” she said. “When you ask and you tell them why, then they were more prone to come on board to support us.” The next annual campaign will kick off Wednesday at Zenith Winery, Caldarazzo’s last public appearance as the United Way executive director.

Under Caldarazzo’s leadership, HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley was born in October 2007; the program is a resource that connects volunteers with service opportunities in the area. The program is credited for Salem’s jumping eight spots to No. 15 in the midsize-city rankings for volunteerism issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service. In the 2009-10 fiscal year, HandsOn volunteers completed 271,580 hours of service, said Melissa Gibler, HandsOn’s director of programs. The impact of Caldarazzo’s last work is yet to be known. Mid-Valley 211, a call center that connects community members with social-service agencies in the area, launched Monday, adding Marion and Polk counties to complete its tri-county territory.

Mike DeRocher, a senior vice president at AmeriTitle and a former board member, will step in as interim executive director Oct. 1. The board has asked him for as much as two years of service, Wilkson said, to give it the time necessary to find and hire the United Way’s next leader. He said a search committee, which would be a mix of board members and volunteers, is in the works to lead recruiting internally and externally. As for Caldarazzo, she’s beaming with excitement for what’s coming next, and rightfully so.

Her wedding is in October, and the retirement is perfectly timed for the couple to transition into their new life together. Then in the new year, she’ll evaluate what her next chapter will look like. “Because I know I’m not done yet, you know?” she says. “I’m not done — I can’t be. “But I feel it’s time to go to another level where I can pick and choose more and see what God has in mind for me — where I’m going to be, what my next project will be.”

United Way Announces Departure of Executive Director

United Way Announces Departure of Executive Director

SALEM, OR (September 13, 2011) – The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley announced today that Gayle Caldarazzo will step down from her role as executive director and CEO on September 30.

After four years at the helm, Caldarazzo is: “excited about upcoming changes and looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life.”  She promises to continue her support of the community and the United Way as an active volunteer.

Under Caldarazzo’s guidance, the United Way formalized the development of an updated community impact model, which focuses on investing in programs and partnerships that address priority issues affecting the tri-county region.  Her effort to bring the United Way more in line with United Way Worldwide resulted in a more streamlined focus on issues concerning education, income and health on the local level.  She is a passionate supporter of HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley and worked hard to get the volunteer action center up and running as a United Way initiative.  She also worked to expand the fundraising campaign to Yamhill county and supported the expansion of the Yamhill 211 helpline to Marion and Polk counties.

“Gayle has been an enthusiastic leader for the past four years,” stated Jim Edmonds of Fetherston Edmonds, and current board president.  “We appreciate her many contributions and wish her well.”

Edmonds noted the board of directors is working on a recruitment strategy, which they believe will commence soon after Caldarazzo’s departure.  Meanwhile, the staff will move forward under the direction of interim director Mike Derochier.

Volunteers needed for veterans’ resource fair

Local Vietnam veteran Wayne Crowder was volunteering at the homeless count in Falls City a few years ago when he noticed there was an unusually large number of veterans living in rundown trailers, broken down RVs and illegally camping in the woods.

After additional investigating, he learned there are two barriers that prevent veterans from experiencing a poverty-free life — housing and apprehension.

For myriad reasons, veterans fear reaching out for help from service providers such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and often end up surviving on hand-outs and the occasional odd job.

Serving our Veterans at Home was created to meet the needs of local veterans and their families by offering services focused on the joyful but often difficult transition from active duty to home life. Post-traumatic stress disorder, physical injuries and psychological wounds can be debilitating aftereffects for those who serve in our military forces.

SOVAH offers a local office that works with veterans to address specific needs and to ensure that care and resources are available for them and their families.

On Sept. 16 and 17, SOVAH will host its second annual Stand Down, a resource fair for veterans and their families. A variety of services will be offered, including dental care, surplus and civilian clothing, social services and pet care.

The event will include a barbecue lunch for all attendees. For this year’s event, SOVAH will host a job fair Sept. 17.

Volunteers are needed to help stage a successful event. Positions vary from guest greeters and event guides to pet assistants and meal servers. Four- to six-hour shifts are available. Youths ages 15 to 17 can volunteer with an adult. To sign up or for more information, go to handsonmwv.org.

Let’s serve those who served our country.

Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact her at (877) 372-4141 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

United Way Announces Emergency Food and Shelter Program Awards

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Betty Hart (503) 363-1651, ext. 306

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

United Way Announces Emergency Food and Shelter Program Awards

SALEM, OR (August 18, 2011) – The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is pleased to announce that the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program board has received an award under Phase 29 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).  Funds totaling $205,496 will go to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Marion and Polk counties.  As a result of federal budget cuts, this amount is approximately $100,000 less than the previous year’s award.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program began in 1983 when Congress voted to set aside funds to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people by allocating federal dollars for the provision of food and shelter.  Program award amounts are determined by the federal budget and are based upon a formula involving population, poverty and unemployment data. 

Locally, the program is administered by a board comprised of representatives from various agencies such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and local government.  The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley helps to coordinate the work of this board.

Under the terms of the program, local agency recipients must meet specific criteria relevant to food and shelter services.  In turn, the agencies use the funds to help meet the basic needs of the people they serve, and fulfill their organizational mission.

“We are pleased that these funds have been made available to our community,” stated Herm Boes, local EFSP board chair. “With unemployment still high, basic food and shelter remains a problem for many residents of Marion and Polk counties.”

Phase 29 Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds will be allocated as follows:

Congregations Helping People: $1,383

Marion Polk Food Share: $62,992

Mid Valley Women’s Crisis Center: $11,756

MWV Community Action: $23,981

Northwest Human Services: $20,883

Sable House: $11,756

Saint Francis Shelter: $6,224

Saint Joseph’s Shelter: $17,288

Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network: $4,841

The Salvation Army: $24,203

Silverton Area Community Aid: $7,053

YWCA Salem Outreach Shelter: $11,756                      

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley: $1,380

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Become and AmeriCorps VISTA with HandsOn and HOME Youth and Resource Center!

Join HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley for a one year AmeriCorps VISTA position. They are seeking a motivated individual who has a passion for working with youth and is enthusiastic about volunteerism. This position will begin in November and run through the end of October 2012. HandsOn’s goal with this position is to increase service engagement of under-resourced youth in a low-income neighborhood, as a pilot for how we might support an asset-based approach to engagement across our region.

Interested applicants can click here to learn more and apply.

Many places in east valley need volunteers

A summer drive going east from Salem will take you to a lively little town teeming with personality. Silverton is well-known for its quaint shops, lovely murals, and the nearby gateway to Silver Falls State Park.

In addition to all that, Silverton is home to a plethora of wonderful, family-friendly volunteer activities.

The Oregon Garden is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, honoring a history of hard work, determination and dedication that began when the Oregon Association of Nurseries first started exploring the development of a botanical garden back in the 1940s.

Today, The Oregon Garden is home to more than 20 specialty gardens, waterfalls, quiet ponds, fountains, a children’s garden and a 400-year-old signature oak tree that stands 100 feet tall.

In addition to being a peaceful place to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of nature, the garden also is a wonderful place to volunteer.

Where else can you plant a flower or tend a walking trail and know that visitors will enjoy your effort for months to come?

If you are blessed with a green thumb, you can become a horticulture volunteer and assist staffers with more advanced garden projects and care.

You also could opt for the annual planting party and invite your family and friends to learn about the plant world as a group. The Oregon Garden also is looking for greeters and gift shop attendants.

Meanwhile, if you prefer the company of four-legged friends, consider a short drive to the outskirts of Silverton, where you can discover a sprawling farm on a hill called the Silver Creek Animal Sanctuary.

At Silver Creek, the goal is to provide a loving home for ill, abused and neglected goats and llamas, while also offering a healing, learning environment for adults and children with special needs.

Silver Creek is home to 87 goats and seven llamas — all waiting to offer you a rewarding experience interacting with animals in a healthy, healing environment.

Sign up for “Sanctuary Saturday” and spend an afternoon engaged in good, old-fashioned, hard work with the animals.

Every experience includes time giving out treats and attention, which the animals love.

Check out these and other family friendly volunteer opportunities at http://www.handsonmwv.org.

Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley. Reach her at (877) 372-4141 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Lawmakers help make 211 service possible

In June, Gov. John Kitzhaber signed HB 3375. Like most residents of Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, I had no idea how HB 3375 will affect our lives; however, it is an advantageous move for the entire tri-county area.

HB 3375 is the legislative bill modifying provisions for the development and maintenance of telephone service that provides referral information for emergency, health and human services. HB 3375 will ensure the state will receive federal funds to support 211 if authorized and appropriated. The legislation also requires telecommunication providers to activate 211 access upon request.

Most important, the signing of this House bill marks involvement and support on the legislative level and will formalize the relationship between telecommunication providers and 211INFO — the Portland-based call center that handles statewide 211 calls.

Mid-Valley 211 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free number that connects a caller with local community services such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, elder care, energy assistance and more. During a disaster, 211 will provide critical information about evacuation routes and food and shelter, as well as support for long term recovery.

211 is free, confidential and live.

What matters most is our community will have access to an information and referral line when a crisis or challenge occurs in their lives. With more people seeking help for the first time, it makes sense to get them connected to the services they need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The next step is for the whole community — businesses, health care providers, school administrators, county offices, faith-based and non-profit organizations — to get on board with financial support, up-to-date provider information and communication about Mid-Valley 211.

As the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley moves to expand 211 service from Yamhill to Marion and Polk counties, we can all take action so 211 will be supported, funded and available to us by Sept. 1. Then it will be our job to spread the word and be sure our families, neighbors, friends and co-workers know there’s a place to call for information and referral.

Meanwhile, we can all pause a moment to thank our Legislature for its vision and willingness to support common sense solutions during tough times.

The answers we need to find help will be just three digits away.

Dick Withnell of Keizer is the fundraising chair for the Mid-Valley 211 expansion. He can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) contact Denise Swanson, resource development director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

United Way Announces Community Investments

United Way Announces Community Investments

SALEM, OR (July 5, 2011) – The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley has approved a funding plan that will benefit non-profit agencies in the tri-county area. The plan will deliver $830,000 in single program and collaborative funding during the next two years. Also included is two-year funding in the amount of $740,000 for United Way initiatives—HandsOn, Mid-Valley 211, and Gifts in Kind. Another $460,000 pledged during the 20010/11 fundraising campaign will be distributed to non-profit organizations earmarked by donors.

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s board of directors approved the plan based on recommendations from the United Way Community Impact Council, which consists of volunteers from the tri-county area.  The Council is responsible for reviewing applications—together with trained community volunteers serving on review panels—submitted by local agencies and selecting recipients based upon a matrix of program criteria, outcomes, geographic characteristics, and relevancy to current issues affecting our communities.

Collaborative funding will be directed toward partnerships that focus on successful outcomes in the areas of education, income, and health; and target ways to keep our communities strong today and into the future.

“The incredible generosity of the tri-county area makes these focused investments possible,” stated Jim Edmonds of Fetherston Edmonds LLP, who serves as United Way board president and Community Impact Council chair. “And collaborations are crucial because they bring together various organizations for the purpose of finding the root of critical issues and implementing programs that will result in the most successful outcomes for the community at large.”

Another key area of funding will be expansion of 211 to Marion and Polk counties. Mid-Valley 211, as it will be called, will offer information and referral services (in English and Spanish) to all residents seeking answers during times of crisis or disaster. Currently, 211 is available in Yamhill county.

For a comprehensive listing of funding and additional information about United Way initiatives, go to http://www.unitedwaymwv.org

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About the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley was established in 1937 and remains committed to supporting the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill communities through the allocation of dollars invested in local initiatives and partnerships that address community-wide issues and result in community-wide outcomes.  With the help of corporate, employee, and individual donations, the United Way directs funds toward helping children, youth, and adults achieve their potential; promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health and independence.  Initiatives include:  HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley—a volunteer action center that works to create change in the community through civic engagement; Mid-Valley 211—referral helpline for human services and/or disaster information; the Gifts in Kind program—distributing resources to non-profit organizations; and the Salem Area Transit Bus Pass. For more information about the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley call:  (503) 363-1651 or visit:  unitedwaymwv.org

Garten helps people blossom

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 53 million Americans live with a disability.
About two-thirds of that number can be classified as being severely disabled. This includes
people of all ages, and those who were born with a disability or acquired it during their life.
The word disability is used to refer to an individual’s level of functioning—including physical,
sensory, cognitive, intellectual, and mental impairments. It is also used when speaking of various
types of chronic diseases.

For those of us who struggle with the challenge of a disability on a day-to-day basis, we prefer
that people see us, rather than our disability. We are not dis-able, or un-able, we are simply
differently-abled. Moreover, we are people with interests, ideas, feelings, and the desire to live a
full and productive life. We want to work, play, love and be loved; and most of all be included—
just like everybody else.

The Central Willamette Valley is very fortunate to have Garten Services. Garten was founded
in 1970 by Sally Gearhart. As legislation gave rights to people with disabilities, Sally undertook
the opportunity to begin a program that served special needs children. Through the years, Garten
remained a fixture in the community—evolving and expanding as more opportunities opened up
for providing services that focused on people of all ages and myriad types of disabilities.

Today, Garten is a successful non-profit organization offering customized vocational, career,
retirement, and day activities for more than 500 people with disabilities. It only takes a tour of
their recycling facility to see that in the process of being a productive, successful business, they
have engaged workers in such a way that helps them become productive, active individuals who
are perfectly capable of earning a pay check, chatting with co-workers during their lunch hour,
and feeling proud of their achievements as a member of the community.

Garten partners with local businesses to offer mail services, (they are the largest mail house
in the Salem area), custodial services, a commercial laundry business, and a comprehensive
recycling center—all supported by people who are differently-abled!

The word Garten is German for “garden.” The name choice is appropriate because just as a
gardener provides nourishment and attention to create a blossom of healthy growth, Garten is
committed to helping individuals be productive, independent, recognized, and valued; while also
cultivating a community with a better understanding of people who are differently-abled.

We all want to blossom, however we are able.

Find out more about Garten at: http://www.garten.org or call: (503) 581-4472

Free lunch program reduces service sites

Salem-Keizer Summer Food Service Program

Sites are open Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified. All sites are closed July 4.

Breakfast and Lunch

-Bush Elementary School, 410 14th St. SE; 8:45-9 a.m.; noon-12:30 p.m.; Mondays-Thursdays, July 11-28

-Hallman Elementary School, 4000 Deerhaven Drive NE, Keizer, 8-8:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. to noon; Mondays-Thursdays, July 18-Aug. 11

-Houck Middle School, 1155 Connecticut St. SE, 8:45-9:30 a.m.; 12:15-1p.m., June 27-July 28

-North Salem High School, 765 14th St. NE, 8-8:30 a.m., noon-1 p.m., June 27-July 29

-Stephens Middle School, 4962 Hayesville Drive NE, 7:30-8 a.m.; 12:30-1 p.m., July 11-Aug. 12

-Yoshikai Elementary School, 4900 Jade St. NE, 8:30-9 a.m.; 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., June 22-July 21

 

Lunch only

-Kroc Center, 1835 Bill Frey Drive NE, noon-12:30 p.m., June 28-Aug. 27

-Colonia Libertad, 2921 Saddle Club Road SE, noon-12:30 p.m.; Mondays-Thursdays, June 15-Sept. 1

 

Lunch and Snack

-Eastwood Boys & Girls Club, 1120 Savage Road NE, noon-12:30 p.m.; 3-3:15 p.m., June 17-Sept. 2

-Keizer Boys & Girls Club, 4840 Noren Ave. NE, Keizer, noon-12:30 p.m.; 3-3:15 p.m., June 17-Sept. 2

-Knudson Boys & Girls Club, 1395 Summer St. NE, noon-12:30 p.m.; 3-3:15 p.m., June 17-Sept. 2

-Swegle Boys & Girls Club, 4445 Market St. NE, noon-12:30 p.m.; 3-3:30 p.m., June 17-Sept. 2

 

Source: Salem-Keizer School District

Congratulations 2011 Spirit of America and Summit award winners

Congratulations 2011 Spirit of America and Summit award winners!

Spirit of America Award Winner: US Bank

United Way is honored to present the 2011 United Way Spirit of America Award to U.S. Bank. In communities across the United States, U.S. Bank and its employees leverage their unique expertise to improve people’s financial stability and create stronger communities. This commitment can be seen in countless ways throughout the company:

  U.S. Bank partners closely with United Ways in communities across the U.S., including:
      U.S. Bank teamed up with United Way of Greater Los Angeles to expand financial literacy training, including developing Individual Development Accounts to encourage saving. U.S. Bank provided a two-to-one match on the amount saved.
      In Minnesota, U.S. Bank employees assisted with volunteer income tax assistance for lower-income working families, helping more than 10,000 tax payers receive assistance.
  In 2010, U.S. Bank provided $38 million in total charitable giving, an increase of 24% over the previous year.
      U.S. Bank raised more than $12.5 million for communities in partnership with United Way. United Way is the largest grant recipient and sole partner for U.S. Bank’s employee giving campaign.
      The Bank also provided $25.8 million to support programs focused on financial education, job training, affordable housing and more – 75% of the Bank’s overall charitable giving is focused on improving financial stability.
  More than 36,000 U.S. Bank employees volunteered in 2010, serving 217,000 people
      1,800 U.S. Bank employees shared their financial expertise with 40,000 youth and adults across the country on topics like basic banking and home buying.
      900 Bank employees also taught 19,000 students to become lifelong savers for “National Teach Children to Save Day.”
      Overall, more than 32,000 volunteer hours were donated to improving financial stability.

United Way Summit Award winners:

Bank of America: Community Impact and Volunteer Engagement

  Bank of America has invested more than $450 million with United Way since 1999 as part of its commitment to the economic and social health of communities.
  Last year, Bank of America employees volunteered more than one million hours.
  Bank of America was the first financial institution to support the United Way Financial Stability Partnership, including $4.5 million in grants over the past few years, plus employee volunteers, providing free tax preparation and filing assistance, resulting in $2 billion in total tax refunds, re-invested into communities.

Microsoft Corporation: Community Impact and Philanthropic Engagement

  Microsoft and United Way have multiple education partnerships: participating in the Campaign for the Common Good education launch; partnering to promote Interrobang, an interactive online educational game for kids; and local support such as helping low-income families prepare for kindergarten.
  In 2010, Microsoft employees volunteered 72,490 hours toward education out of over 363,000 total hours.
  When Microsoft employees volunteer more than 10 hours for an eligible organization, Microsoft provides a $17 matching donation for every volunteer hour.

Procter & Gamble: Community Impact and Volunteer Engagement

  P&G has helped support the creation of United Ways in Panama and Honduras, as well as supporting United Ways in Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Canada.
  P&G’s Live, Learn and Thrive corporate cause aligns with United Way’s focus on education, income and health, and has benefited more than 210 million children since its inception in 2005.
  In 2010, P&G employees participated in more than 145 team volunteer events. More than 5,000 P&Gers volunteered more than 37,000 hours.

Dominion Resources Inc.: Community Impact

  In 2010, Dominion granted $24 million and supported United Way programs, such as heating assistance.
  Last year, Dominion employees volunteered 150,000 hours.
  Dominion’s commitment to education is demonstrated through investments such as the creation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) endowments for schools.

About the United Way Spirit of America and Summit Awards

The Spirit of America® and Summit Awards program is United Way’s highest national honor recognizing exemplary corporate citizens for outstanding employee and community engagement, and measurable impact in the areas of education, income and health. This prestigious awards program began more than 20 years ago. The Summit Awards honor company excellence in one or more of the following categories of community support. The Spirit of America Award is given to the company who excels in all three areas.

  Community Impact—Education-, income- or health-focused partnerships that lead to measurable, sustainable change in communities

  Volunteer Engagement—Outstanding companywide commitment to involving employees, families, retirees and other stakeholders in volunteer opportunities related to education, income and health

  Philanthropic Engagement—Corporate and employee commitment to communities demonstrated through corporate and foundation contributions, as well as employee and retiree giving

 

Governor to sign bill supporting 211 helpline

Bill Supporting 211 Helpline to be signed by Governor John Kitzhaber

SALEM, OR (June 14, 2011) – Governor John Kitzhaber will sign HB 3375, the 211 bill today.  HB 3375 modifies provisions for development and maintenance of telephone service that provides referral information for emergency and health and human services.  HB 3375 updates the 2005 legislation that was originally passed to ensure that the state could receive federal funds to support 211 if they were authorized and appropriated.  The legislation was a best estimate of how 211 in Oregon might be structured.  It also updates the legislation to reflect a model designed to serve Oregon specifically.  The Oregon model is a centralized call center supported by people in local regions who maintain control over data and partnerships.  HB 3375 requires telecommunication providers to activate 211 access upon request.

211 is an easy-to-remember, toll–free phone number that connects callers with local community services such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, elder care, legal help, and more.  During disaster, 211 provides critical information about evacuation routes, food and shelter, as well as support for long-term recovery.  211 is confidential and available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Yamhill County residents
The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is working hard to expand Yamhill 211 to Marion and Polk counties during 2011, dubbing the expanded service:  Mid-Valley 211.

“Mid-Valley 211 is essential to our community,” noted Dick Withnell, of Withnell Motor Company, who is the fundraising chair for the 211 expansion.  “The signing of HB 3375 marks involvement and support on the legislative level and will formalize the relationship between telecommunication providers and 211 Info.”

The goal is to bring 211 service to all residents of Oregon by the year 2013.

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About the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley was established in 1937 and remains committed to supporting the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill communities through the allocation of dollars devoted to local agencies and essential services programs.  With the help of corporate, employee, and individual donations, the United Way impacts one-in-three lives through programs that focus on outcomes and solutions that resolve community-wide concerns:  helping children, youth, and adults achieve their potential; promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health and independence.  The United Way also oversees the HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley initiative—a volunteer action center that works to create change in the community through civic engagement.  As well as the Good360 program, Salem Area Transit Bus Pass program, and the Yamhill 211 helpline.  For more information about the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley call:  (503) 363-1651 or visit:  http://www.unitedwaywmv.org

Fostering a stronger, better community

Foster care can be defined as a temporary living arrangement for abused, neglected, and/or abandoned children. When a child enters foster care, the state — via family court and the Department of Human Services — stands in loco parentis to the minor, making all legal decisions. The minor is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver, or foster parent, who is responsible for day-to-day care.

Imagine being a young child and having a parent who is unable to care for you because of homelessness, alcohol or drug addiction or a critical illness. Worse is the situation wherein a child enters the foster system after the death of a single parent, with no other relative being available or capable of care.

Foster children experience the trauma, sadness, loss, and/or confusion of their situation, and then enter a system that is often overtaxed because of the sheer volume of cases. Many times, they are separated not only from their siblings, but also from their friends, schools and communities.

Approximately 8,700 children currently are in foster care in Oregon — including, on average, 1,000 in Marion County. They are being cared for by a diverse cross-section of foster parents. It is a job that requires the ability to exercise sound judgment and provide a responsible, stable and emotionally mature environment. And there are never enough homes to accommodate the number of children entering foster care each year.

Many different local organizations work together to provide a better experience for children in foster care. Court Appointed Special Advocates work as volunteers and are appointed by the juvenile court to an individual child or family of children. Their role is to advocate on behalf of the child(ren) and help to secure the necessary services and a safe, permanent home situation as quickly as possible.

Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley offers the Community Homes for Children program, which was created to provide children with long-term foster care in a nurturing home environment. They work primarily with children who are unlikely to be reunited with their families or adopted.

At the core of foster care are children with every emotional and physical need that a normal child experiences, plus some issues that require special attention based on the experience that led them to be fostered in the first place. Foster parents provide a chance for kids to heal and feel supported. They offer guidance, stability and a safe environment.

Whether you are a foster parent or support an organization that is involved in the care of our children who are without parenting; your contribution to the community is immeasurable.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Reach her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

United Way accepting applications for its Gifts in Kind program

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is proud to be a redistribution partner through Good360—a partnership that allows the United Way to obtain retail goods from local businesses and redistribute to nonprofit agencies in the community.  Known to the community as Gifts in Kind, this program provided more than $89,000 in goods to nonprofits during 2010.

In an effort to expand and improve Gifts in Kind, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will be implementing the following changes:

• Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) health and human service agency offering direct services to clients in Marion, Polk, or Yamhill counties
• Program will run annually from July 1 through June 30
• Following the review and selection process, participating agencies must sign an agreement and submit an annual administration fee of $100
• Distribution will occur once a month
• A maximum of three representatives from each agency will be permitted to attend the distribution
• Special interest items will be available periodically for purchase; posted prices will be significantly lower than the retail cost
• Current Gifts in Kind partners include:  Good360, Bed Bath & Beyond—Keizer Station, Home Depot—South Salem, Guess Outlet—Woodburn, Van Heusen Outlet—Lincoln City, Avenue—Keizer Station

Click here to download the application. Applications are due no later than August 15, 2011.

If you have questions about the Gifts in Kind program, contact Kara Rotella, Operations Director at (503) 363-1651, ext. 308 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Recapping the 2010 Campaign Celebration

It’s unlikely that a stranger will approach you on the street and offer a gesture of gratitude for your contribution to a nonprofit organization.

The United Way hosts an annual celebration to call attention to the extraordinary generosity of the community, to communicate outcomes that change lives and to highlight stories that inspire us to continue to hope and to share what we have, whether it’s money, time or talent.

On April 28, supporters gathered at Zenith Winery to recognize and applaud the exceptional efforts made on behalf of the United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. Nominees were announced in categories that fell under the umbrella of LIVE UNITED — the ideal that we should take time to consider the people around us every day and live, advocate or volunteer in a way that is personal and unique.

Every company that hosts a United Way campaign, every volunteer who shares his or her time, every advocate who lends his voice, deserves to be celebrated and recognized, especially during times of great need and declining resources.

In the GIVE category, companies are recognized for their creative, energetic and successful work-place campaigns. The Employee Campaign Coordinator award goes to the person within a company who coordinates and organizes the effort.

The VOLUNTEER award goes to a company whose corporate volunteer efforts have significantly influenced a local nonprofit.

The ADVOCATE category calls attention to individuals who lend their voice to speak out on behalf of the United Way and their partner organizations.

The Gerry Frank LIVE UNITED award honors someone who embodies all three values: give, advocate and volunteer. And who engages in these actions on behalf of the entire community.
One of the highlights of the evening was ADVOCATE award recipient Chad O’Neil. Chad is a 17-year-old high school student who was homeless at the age of 11 and spent several tough years on the streets before finding hospitality and refuge with United Way executive director Gayle Caldarazzo.

Chad shyly took the microphone and spoke of cold, wet nights and nowhere to sleep safely, days without food, and the incredible ways his life has changed since finding help through various nonprofit organizations. He accepted his award with grace and tears. He said it will be a reminder of the nearly 900 youths still finding their way on the streets in our communities. He said he will continue to be an advocate because of those kids. And he called all of us to try and help; to do our best and never, ever give up.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Reached her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

United Way Celebrates the 2010 Campaign

United Way Celebrates Campaign Award Winners

SALEM, OR (May 2, 2011) – Last Thursday, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley hosted a celebration event to recognize donors, volunteers, and advocates who were a part of the annual community fundraising effort.  The event, held at Zenith Winery, showcased the nominees and winners of the annual campaign awards.

Attendees included United Way board members and staff, elected officials, volunteers, donors, and business leaders.  “This event is our way of saying thank you to all the generous, wonderful people in the tri-county area who support local nonprofit organizations through their donations to the United Way,” stated Gayle Caldarazzo, executive director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Gerry Frank LIVE UNITED Award recipient Ryan Allbritton of US Bank said during his acceptance speech, “I am so honored to receive this award and feel proud to be a supporter and board member of the United Way.”  “The continued effort to fund programs and services that offer community-wide solutions and outcomes is such a noble cause,” he added, “and well worth my time and contributions.”

The event was sponsored by local businesses and individuals:  Drs. Bud & Selma Pierce, US Bank, A-Dec, Portland General Electric, Statesman Journal, Capitol Auto, Doty & Company, Fetherston Edmonds, Roger Jordan, Paul Krissel Consulting, Merrill Lynch, Michelle Pecora, CPA, SEDCOR, and West Coast Bank.

Award Nominees & Winners

 

GIVE Award – Nonprofit Sector

Northwest Human Services – Winner. 
Nominees:  The American Red Cross – Willamette Chapter, Boys & Girls Club

GIVE Award – Public Sector

Marion County – Winner. 
Nominees:  Salem Area Transit, Salem Keizer School District

GIVE Award – Private Sector (pledges up to $50,000)

Capitol Auto – Winner. 
Nominees:  Nordstrom, Sentry Insurance

GIVE Award – Private Sector (pledges more than $50,000)

Garmin AT – Winner. 
Nominees:  A-Dec, West Coast Bank

Guido Caldarazzo EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR Award

Denise Quinn-Nanke, Salem Keizer School District – Winner. 
Nominees:  Farrah Burke, A-Dec, Charley Engelfried, Capitol Auto

VOLUNTEER Award

Oregon Community Credit Union – Winner. 
Nominees:  City of Salem, Unitrin

 

ADVOCATE Award

Chad O’Neil – Winner. 
Nominees:  Dr. Bud Pierce, Dick Withnell

Gerry Frank LIVE UNITED Award

Ryan Allbritton, US Bank - Winner

 

Good360 Community Redistribution Partner Helps Connect Local Nonprofits to Product Donations

Gifts In Kind International Announces Name Change to Good360

Salem-based Good360 Community Redistribution Partner
Helps Connect Local Nonprofits to Product Donations

SALEM, OR (April 19, 2011) – Today, Gifts In Kind International announced the organization has changed its name to Good360 (http://www.good360.org), signifying a strategic organizational transformation that will evolve the field of product philanthropy.  One of the most significant aspects of this transition includes a new online donation marketplace that will now seamlessly connect those who have with those who need.  The new platform incorporates a full circle of giving to involve individuals and corporate donors more easily and to more effectively help nonprofits fulfill their missions.

“As an organization, Good360 is moving to an exciting new platform that will help offer new ways to better serve our corporate donors, and deliver more goods for the greater good through our nonprofit network,” said Good360 CEO and President Cindy Hallberlin.  “The new name reflects that change and underscores how Good360 facilitates the full circle of giving.  We are pleased to work with the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley to deliver more products to Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties.”

Salem-based United Way Helps to Deliver Good360 Products

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley has worked with Good360 (formerly Gifts In Kind) for seven years to distribute product donations to Marion, Polk, and Yamhill county nonprofit organizations.  Donated products assist nonprofit organizations in better fulfilling their missions by stretching limited budgets and providing additional assistance to those in need through product distribution.

“As Good360’s local nonprofit distribution partner in Salem, the United Way is excited to be a part of all of the great changes that are happening at Good360,” said Kara Rotella, operations director.  “These changes will make it easier to get access to thousands of donated items from companies in our community and throughout the nation.  We look forward to working with Good360 for efficient distribution of these valuable products.”

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About the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley was established in 1937 and remains committed to supporting the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill communities through the allocation of dollars devoted to local agencies and essential services programs.  With the help of corporate, employee, and individual donations, the United Way impacts one-in-three lives through programs that focus on urgent human and social services needs:  helping children, youth, and adults achieve their potential; promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health and independence.  The United Way also oversees the HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley initiative—a volunteer action center that works to create change in the community through civic engagement.  As well as the Gifts in Kind program, Salem Area Transit Bus Pass program, and the Yamhill 2-1-1 helpline.  For more information about the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley call:  (503) 363-1651 or visit:  unitedwaywmv.org

About Good360
Good360 (http://www.good360.org) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of nonprofits by distributing corporate product donations around the world. The organization works with more than half of the Fortune 100 consumer, retail and technology companies to provide needed products to almost 12,000 qualified nonprofit organizations. This summer Good360 will launch the latest version of its new, innovative online marketplace that helps to aggregate the product needs of nonprofits and provides timely information about how product donations are used for the greater good. Good360, formerly Gifts In Kind International, is ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the nation’s best-managed charities in America.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free phone number

As the economic outlook continues to look cloudy with only a touch of sunshine here and there, many individuals and families who have been accustomed to the comforts of life are now seeking assistance for the first time. 

Eighteen months ago my wife and I were employed. First she was downsized, then six months later I was laid off. Our unemployment and health insurance will end soon. We aren’t sure we can keep up our mortgage payments much longer. Our kids are ages four and nine. We’ve never needed help and have no idea where to start.

In many instances, the initial point of contact for someone seeking help, support, or simply information, begins with a phone call. And one of the best ways to promote available programs and services in our community is a state-wide information and referral helpline.

During 2004, national momentum behind a simple solution that would connect people to health and social services brought 2-1-1 to the Portland metro area. Today, 2-1-1 services extend to 65 percent of the state’s population, including Yamhill County.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free phone number that connects callers with local community services such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, elder care, legal help, and more. During a disaster, 211 provides critical information about evacuation routes, food and shelter, as well as support during long-term recovery.  211 is confidential and available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  211 call specialists live and work right here in Oregon, so they understand the needs of Oregonians. And shared software systems make it easy to share database information across regions while reserving local control over resources and partnerships.

We live in the McMinnville area and dialed 2-1-1 after discovering that a neighbor was ill, unable to take care of herself and had not eaten in several days. We didn’t know what kind of help was available, but needed information about what to do. We were connected to elder services and a Meals-on-Wheels program. We couldn’t be more pleased with the assistance we received. Thanks to 211, our neighbor is doing quite well! This is such an important community service.

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is working hard to expand Yamhill 211 to Marion and Polk Counties during 2011. This is a step that directly aligns with the United Way mission to connect people with the resources they need and provides a community-wide service with community-wide outcomes.

Together, the tri-county area can make this happen by staying informed, providing financial support, spreading the word and remembering that getting help will become as simple as dialing three numbers.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director
for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Better Health Begins at Home

Better Health Begins at Home

At the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, we talk about advancing” the common good,” with education, income, and health being the building blocks for a successful life. Yet it has become increasingly apparent that a quality education, stable income, and good health are beyond the reach of too many individuals and families in our communities and across the land of the free.

Let’s take a look at HEALTH.  Often health is defined as the general condition of a person; the state of being free from illness or injury. At the time of its creation in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Today, statistics reveal that only one-in-three adults can be considered healthy.
Yet, health and well-being play a key role in both education and income.

If a child enters the classroom hungry, with a toothache or unable to see the board clearly, his or her learning suffers.  In our community, one-in-four children face hunger every day. Fifty-three percent of eighth graders did not have a medical check-up or physical exam in the previous year. Statistics reveal a direct correlation between health, education and the high school drop out rate; as well as the rate of juvenile arrests.

An adult suffering from sickness or injury results in reduced capacity at work. Three-of-ten working individuals report health problems. An estimated 69 million employees took sick days in one year, amounting to $48 billion in wages paid for time not worked—an amount that has a dramatic impact on the overall economic blueprint for our society. The cost for those who do not have insurance or receive pay for sick time can be enormously detrimental; leading to additional stress and loss of well-being.

Developing solutions to the health dilemma must, undoubtedly, be addressed on a community-wide level. But we can also make strides both as individuals and as families by engaging in a lifestyle of prevention and physical fitness.

Programs such as Healthy Start/Healthy Families (http://goisn.org/ccswv/healthystart.html, (503) 362-6138) help families create the foundation for success in school by supporting and improving the health, education, and well-being of the whole family. The Resource Assistance Program at the YWCA (http://www.ywcasalem.org/rap/rap.html, (503) 581-9922) connects families with primary health care options as well as other resources.
Both the local YMCA (http://www.youry.org, (503) 581-9622) and the Salvation Army’s Kroc Corps Community Center (http://www.salemkroc.org, (503) 566-5672), offer affordable options for people of all ages and lifestyles to engage in physical fitness programs.

Getting fit and staying healthy is a lifelong favor we do for ourselves and our loved ones. Get started today.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Get involved and make an impact!

If you’ve ever given money to a charitable organization, you might wonder exactly who decides how your money will be spent. Or maybe you consider how YOU would distribute funds in the community.

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley (UWMWV) offers an opportunity to get involved in helping to evaluate community issues and determine how funding will be distributed across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. 

Between now and the end of April, the UWMWV will be preparing for the 2011/13 funding cycle.  A funding cycle occurs every two years when non-profit organizations across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties engage in an intensive application process to obtain funding from the UWMWV for crucial programs and services.

To aid in the process, the UWMWV reaches out to the community for volunteers representing a variety of expertise and backgrounds and invites them to play a key role in determining how to use donations and resources in a manner that will achieve maximum improvement in the lives of Mid-Willamette Valley residents.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Engaging volunteers to oversee community investments and community initiatives helps the UWMWV work effectively to support long-lasting changes. So get involved, lend your time and talent, and help to improve the lives of individuals and families across the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Audit Resource Team – volunteers review applicants’ financial documents, including audits. Team members must be a CPA, CMA, CFO, CEO, accountant, or bookkeeper with experience in budget preparation, audits, financials, and accounting for not-for-profit organizations.

Sign up here to join the Audit Review Team

Volunteer Review Panel – volunteers review applications, discuss program effectiveness, and develop recommendations for community investments. Must be interested and involved in community initiatives and have a willingness to learn about the philosophy of the United Way’s Community Impact agenda. Panel members attend one mandatory two-hour training session on April 1st and participate in at least one three-hour panel discussion during April.

Sign up here to join the Review Panel Team

Volunteer opportunities powered by HandsOn via 1800Volunteer

 

2011-2013 United Way Funding Training Opportunities

2011-2013 United Way Funding Training Opportunities

Date	Time	Activity
February 22, 2011 Click here to register for Session 2	Session #1:  9:00am – 12:00pm (Session is now closed) or Session #2:  1:00pm – 4:00pm	Grant Workshop for organizations applying for United Way funding during the 2011-2013 United Way Community Impact Grant Cycle. This workshop will provide an opportunity for organizations to receive technical assistance in completing United Way’s 2011-2013 Impact Collaborative Application.
February 28, 2011 Click here to register for single program and logic model training	1:00pm – 4:00pm	Single program and logic model training for organizations applying for United Way funding during the 2011-2013 United Way Community Impact Grant Cycle. This training will outline the components of United Way’s single program application and logic model. It will describe how logic models serve as a basis for evaluation and demonstrating measurable outcomes.

All workshops will be held at the United Way office at 455 Bliler Ave. NE Salem, OR 97301

 

Emergency Food and Shelter Grants

Emergency Food and Shelter Program application process is closed!

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

Acting on behalf of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program, a local board of representatives is now accepting applications for allocation of emergency food and shelter funds in Marion and Polk counties.

Under the terms of the program, local agencies must meet the following criteria: 

• be a private voluntary non-profit organization or unit of government
• have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter services
• have an accounting system
• practice non-discrimination
• if a voluntary organization, must have a voluntary board

Read full press release here.

Application Deadline is Friday, January 14th 2011 at 4:00p.m.

Below are the materials needed to complete your application. In addition, you can review the Local Recipient Organization Responsibilities and information about eligible and ineligible program expenses in the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program Reference manual included below.  This will help you plan your application and internal procedures.

To apply, please complete the following steps:
(1) Complete Form A - Form A.doc

(2) Complete Form B. Form B.doc

(3) Complete Form C. Form C.doc

(4) Include a hard copy of your agency brochure or an informational flier or newspaper article.

(5) Include a hard copy list of your Board of Directors and your most recent annual audit or Form 990.

Local Recipient Organization’s Responsibilities (LRO) - Download reference manual National FEMA Program Reference Manual.pdf

Please submit all application materials (Steps 1-5) to the Emergency Food & Shelter program by Friday, January 14th 2011:
ATTN:  Emergency Food & Shelter Local Board
c/o United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
455 Bliler Street NE
Salem, OR 97301

Also submit an electronic copy of Form B to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

During the week of January 24th, the local EFSP board will review applications and listen to brief presentations by qualifying agencies. Contact Kate Decarlo at (503) 363-1651, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.

Red Kettles Ring in the Reminder to Give

It’s that time of year. All around town, the bells are ringing as the Salvation Army continues their annual Red Kettle Campaign. The much-familiar Christmas Kettles are an essential part of the total funds raised for the local Salvation Army.

One local bell-ringer has been standing in the cold and rain for several years. He began ringing three years ago when he lost his job and happened to see a notice in the local paper for bell ringers. Not only did he land the job, but his family also received a food basket for the holidays and beautifully wrapped gifts for his young children. “We were planning to skip Christmas gifts and were hoping to be able to afford food and heat,” said Adam, who declined to provide a last name. “Instead we had one of our most memorable Christmases ever and have never forgotten the miracle of receiving both food and gifts.” Since then he has returned to work, but continues the bell-ringing tradition evenings and weekends—offering smiles and genuine gratitude to those who reach out a hand to drop coins or dollars into the kettle.

Whether you offer loose change from your pocket or open your wallet to fetch a bill, your gift makes the holiday season brighter for those who need a helping hand. Kettle donations go toward providing a Christmas meal for families and/or toys for children ages 0-12.

The Salvation Army also has an Angel Tree program—local businesses throughout Marion and Polk counties host a tree with tags that describe items for children in need. Shoppers can select a tag, purchase the suggested gift and return it to the Angel Tree location. More information and tree locations are available on the Web site:  http://www.sasalem.org

Toys can also be dropped off at Salvation Army Family Services, located at 1977 Front Street SE in Salem. Financial contributions can be mailed to PO Box 7047, Salem, OR 97303.

Those seeking help can contact the Salvation Army directly at (503) 585-6688 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  The deadline for holiday gift sign up and assistance is December 17th.

Additional help is available through the Northwest Human Services Crisis Hotline; they will be providing gift cards for toys and food for families in the Salem-Keizer area. Call (503) 581-5535 to find out more.

For services specific to Polk County, call the Polk County Service Integration office at (503) 623-9664 or go to http://www.co.polk.or.us/si  The Web site offers a holiday assistance flyer as well as various locations for holiday meals.

The holidays provide an opportunity to both give and receive—and experience joy in the process.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Let’s Redefine Christmas…

What if we all worked a little harder to redefine the holiday season by putting more Thanksgiving into it?  If you think about it, we can follow a trail from the last bit of gravy being washed off those Thanksgiving plates to Black Friday—that day of chaotic shopping that marks the advent of shopping, tree trimming, gift wrapping, and every other detail that has come to define the holiday season.

Before the last bit of leftover turkey finds its way into a casserole, we find ourselves engaged in a month-long compulsion to buy something, anything, for everyone we imagine deserves, wants, needs, or expects a gift. We participate in costly, time-consuming, fully-commercialized activities; decorating our home, attending parties, addressing cards, traveling, and more shopping.  We’re stressed. We’re exhausted.

What if we focused simply on giving?  The true spirit of giving.  The joy of giving.  The miracle of giving.

Let’s start with imagining a scenario wherein we forgo buying a trendy gadget that looks really cool, but will probably never be used by your brother, sister, mother, friend, co-worker, and instead, give a donation to their favorite charity. In turn, request that they give one to your favorite charity.

This is appealing for many reasons:  You discover what people are passionate about. More money goes to people and/or causes who need it. Shopping is easier and even interesting. Your gift is tax deductible.  Donations are more environmentally efficient—no gas for shopping, no paper for wrapping, no consumer spending to initiate the production of more trendy gadgets that will never be used. Charitable giving also teaches us about the community around us and provides an opportunity to effect change in our own way.

The biggest benefit to charitable giving is the feeling of goodwill. In fact, research reveals that people who give money away are happier and less stressed than those who don’t. Being less stressed is good for everybody and enables us to stay in the spirit of thanks-giving. And that is more in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

Please consider charitable giving as a gift option this year.

Gayle Caldarazzo is executive director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact the United Way directly at (503) 363-1651 to find out more about how you can make a charitable donation this holiday season.

Unique gifts available at One Fair World

When searching for the perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list, consider One Fair World, a shop located at 474 Court Street in downtown Salem.  One Fair World offers a lovely display of home décor, jewelry, stationery, musical instruments, and more.  You can buy paper made from elephant dung in Sri Lanka, hand-knit mittens made in South American villages, or jewelry crafted from recycled products in the Philippines—the world’s most impoverished nations produce items made from local resources and sell it to improve the living conditions of their towns and villages.  One Fair World offers both unique gifts and a resplendent sense of goodwill as you discover the story behind the one-of-a-kind items made by artists and craftsmen. 

Beginning December 1, One Fair World will offer an opportunity to find the perfect gift AND give back to the local community.  Through a partnership with the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, One Fair World will host a community shopping event—12 Days of Christmas—with a percentage of all sales going to the United Way to benefit those seeking help in the tri-county area.  There will also be a food drive to benefit Marion-Polk food Share and a book drive with a goal to collect 12,000 donated books in 12 days for the Reading for All initiative.  The 12 Days of Christmas event will kick off during Go Downtown Salem’s First Wednesday of December with a Holiday Open House beginning at 5:00 p.m. 

To learn more about the 12-Days of Christmas or One Fair World, contact Linda Bruce:  (503)585-1636 or visit http://www.onefairworld.org  To donate new or slightly used books visit http://www.reading4all.com and click on the Holiday Book Drive link for more information and a list of drop-off locations.  Donation receptacles for both the food drive and the book drive will be located at the One Fair World store for the duration of the 12-days event. 

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Creating Gardens for Good

The offices of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley (UWMWV) sit on a dead end block off Liberty Street, not far from downtown. Across the street from the two-story building is a vacant lot owned by the city of Salem.

Inside the offices, employees are always aware of the most urgent, critical human services needs in the tri-county area. Their job is to do the research, identity the problems, find programs that offer solutions, raise funds to support those programs, and ensure that dollars get allocated according to where they are needed most. With only nine employees, the UWMWV, like other non-profit entities, is dependent upon volunteers for help.

During 2009, there was a ten percent increase in people seeking food boxes from the Marion-Polk Food Share—a United Way-funded agency. Forty-four percent of those eating from food boxes are children. Incredible things happen when creative minds gather to determine new and better ways to help.  Hence the birth of an idea to turn the vacant lot into a community garden.

Austin Rowlader works for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley. He spends his days organizing projects for volunteers. His vision for the community garden was to create a place where: “neighbors can come together and grow food for themselves and the community.”  He began his quest by contacting the city of Salem, who immediately granted permission to turn the lot into a growing place. He also got in touch with Marion- Polk Food Share and invited them to join in the effort. His next call went out for supplies; and resulted in donations of gardening tools from the South Commercial ACE Hardware, and wood and soil from Marion-Polk Food Share for planter boxes. With a partnership and supplies in place, Austin drew up plans and set a date to begin the transformation from weeds and blackberry bushes to a well-planned, functional garden. Neighbors and UWMWV staff were invited to help.

Through the HandsOn network of volunteers, Austin has organized groups from Marion County Police Department and Oregon State Hospital to help create garden boxes, fill large planters and begin planting.  Today, the area is still a work in progress, yet recent rains have encouraged the growth of autumn vegetables. As the garden becomes fully developed, the food harvested will be consumed by the growers and neighbors, and given to Marion-Polk Food Share for distribution to its network of pantries. What was once an unused vacant lot has evolved into Austin’s vision of hope and food for those experiencing hunger in our community.

To learn more about the community garden or other volunteer opportunities; or for help in starting your own garden of hope, contact Austin Rowlader at the United Way office:  (503) 364-1005, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Get in the spirit of giving!

12-Day Shopping Event to Benefit the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

SALEM, OR (NOVEMBER 23, 2010) – One Fair World and the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley are teaming up for a 12-day shopping event open to the public and spanning the first 12 days of December.  One Fair World will donate a percentage of the in-store sales generated during regular business hours, December 1-12, to the United Way.

In addition, there will be a food drive to benefit Marion-Polk Food Share and a book drive seeking to collect 12,000 donated books in 12 days in the Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.  The books will be donated to the Reading for All initiative, which is a part of the Marion County Children and Families Commission.

One Fair World’s purpose in coordinating the event is to support those in need within the local community, while continuing to uphold its primary mission of alleviating global poverty by supporting fair trade artisans and food producers in more than 57 countries world-wide.

The 12-day shopping event will launch on December 1st at 5:00 p.m. with a party in conjunction with Go downtown Salem’s First Wednesday event (Holiday Traditions) and One Fair World’s Holiday Open House, which will be held at the store—located at 474 Court Street in downtown Salem.  VIP guests will include Senator Jackie Winters, United Way executive director Gayle Caldarazzo, One Fair World board co-chair Ellen Chambers, Marion-Polk Food Share president Ron Hays, and Children and Families Commission director Alison Kelley.

To learn more about the 12-Days of Christmas or One Fair World, contact Linda Bruce:  (503)585-1636 or visit http://www.onefairworld.org  To donate new or slightly used books visit http://www.reading4all.com and click on the Holiday Book Drive link for more information and a list of drop-off locations.  Donation receptacles for both the food drive and the book drive will be located at the One Fair World store for the duration of the 12-days event.

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One Fair World, a local fair-trade store, has operated in Salem since 2001.  Run primarily by volunteers it offers home décor, jewelry, stationery, musical instruments, personal accessories, and food products from the world’s most impoverished nations.  Its primary goal is to alleviate global poverty through fair trade practices.
About the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley was established in 1937 and remains committed to supporting the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill communities through the allocation of dollars devoted to local agencies and essential services programs.  With the help of corporate, employee, and individual donations, the United Way impacts one-in-three lives through programs that focus on urgent human and social services needs:  helping children, youth, and adults achieve their potential; promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health and independence.  The United Way also oversees the HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley initiative—a volunteer action center that works to create change in the community through civic engagement.  As well as the Gifts in Kind program, Salem Area Transit Bus Pass program and the Yamhill 2-1-1 helpline.  For more information about the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley call:  (503) 363-1651 or visit:  unitedwaywmv.org
Both One Fair World and the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley are independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and are governed by their own individual volunteer board of directors.

United Way and Oregon Mentors Partner

The United Way and Oregon Mentors Partner To Boost Mentoring Across the State

New partnership seeks to connect caring adults with kids in need of mentors through a statewide network of United Ways and mentoring programs.

SALEM, OR (OCTOBER 26, 2010) – The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is joining with other United Ways across the state and Oregon Mentors to encourage mentoring.  The partnership, initiated by the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Oregon mentors in Portland will become a statewide partnership designed to increase the number of mentors volunteering during the next two years.

Both the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Oregon Mentors place a priority on connecting caring adults with children in need of encouragement and guidance along their educational path.  Currently 16,000 mentors are volunteering in Oregon.  The two-year goal of the partnership is to increase the number of adults mentoring youth by 7,000 individuals—an increase of nearly 50 percent.

“The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley has long been involved in mentoring programs for the tri-county area,” stated Gayle Caldarazzo, executive director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  “We see this state-wide partnership as a way to continue and strengthen our commitment to improving education in our communities and believe it will lead to the initiation of new mentoring relationships and more opportunities and advantages for our children.”

Mentoring relationships have a direct affect on lowering dropout rates as youth of all ages become more connected to their teachers, parents, schools, and the community at-large.  In Oregon, currently 35,000 youth have mentors, but 165,000 more have been identified as in need of mentors and this new partnership seeks to close that gap.

“Mentoring is a proven strategy to keep kids in school longer and help them succeed as adults,” said Carolyn Becic, executive director of Oregon Mentors.  “Every day we see the lives of children and adults alike improved by the mentoring bond.  With help from the United Ways in Oregon, we can increase our reach and create thousands more mentoring relationships to help the next generation stay in school and lay the groundwork for a successful life.”

Through the network of local United Way offices throughout the state, this partnership has the ability to change the lives of thousands of youth and adults.  Oregon Mentors and the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley seek to spread the message that with the wide range of programs available, there is a mentoring opportunity that is right for each adult.  Whether working with young kids or teens, groups or one-on-one, academic or relationship-focused, there are programs that need adult volunteers to help kids succeed.  For one hour a week, any adult can provide support to a child to help build the youth’s self-esteem, keep them in school, improve his or her academic skills and help them achieve personal and academic goals.

Through Oregon Mentors’ nearly 100 programs in more than 500 sites across the state, there are many places and ways adults can volunteer in children’s lives.  The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is committed to encouraging volunteer service and improving education.  To learn more about volunteer mentor opportunities in your area visit:  http://www.handsonmwv.or or http://www.oregonmentors.org

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About the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley was established in 1937 and remains committed to supporting the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill communities through the allocation of dollars devoted to local agencies and essential services programs.  With the help of corporate, employee, and individual donations, the United Way impacts one-in-three lives through programs that focus on urgent human and social services needs:  helping children, youth, and adults achieve their potential; promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health and independence.  The United Way also oversees the HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley initiative—a volunteer action center that works to create change in the community through civic engagement.  As well as the Gifts in Kind program, Salem Area Transit Bus Pass program and the Yamhill 2-1-1 helpline.  For more information about the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley call:  (503) 363-1651 or visit:  http://www.unitedwaymwv.org

About Oregon Mentors

Oregon Mentors works to expand positive life opportunities for all young Oregonians by connecting them with caring mentors.  The organization focuses on increasing the public’s awareness about the benefits to youth who are mentored; connecting new volunteers to quality mentoring programs through its Web-based referral system, providing training resources to mentoring program staff and volunteers, and removing barriers to mentoring programs’ growth.  For more information, visit:  http://www.oregonmentors.org or call:  (866) 450-4010

Framing Hope

Salem Nonprofit to Receive Donated Building and Home Depot Products

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley has been Chosen to Participate in National Product Donation Program provided by The Home Depot and Managed by Gifts In Kind International

SALEM, OR (August 10, 2010) – The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley has been selected to participate in Framing Hope, The Home Depot’s national product donation program, in partnership with Gifts In Kind International, which matches Home Depot stores with local nonprofit organizations. As a beneficiary of the program, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will receive donated building and maintenance supplies and assorted home improvement products from The Home Depot store on Hagers Grove Road in Salem.

“We are thrilled to be matched with our local Home Depot store to receive donated products for our Gifts in Kind program,” said Kara Rotella, operations director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  “As nonprofits face declining monetary donations and struggle to make ends meet, our Gifts in Kind program allows them to redirect funds toward other much-needed programs and services.  Gifts-in-kind, as a community resource, have become vital to sustainability for many nonprofits.”

Launched in 2008, Framing Hope is funded by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation and managed by Gifts In Kind International, an international charity that distributes new, donated products to qualified nonprofit organizations. Framing Hope’s mission is to support charitable organizations that focus on affordable housing initiatives with unsold, usable products from local Home Depot stores.  Framing Hope allows nonprofits to stretch their dollars further and use their resources wisely with donated materials that help with the construction and maintenance of healthy, affordable housing. 

“Framing Hope is a great example of a program that supports the triple bottom line, because it benefits people by providing supplies to support safe, healthy housing; it benefits the planet by diverting our unsold merchandise from landfills; and it benefits local nonprofits by giving them additional resources,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “We are delighted that the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will be a part of the program, and we look forward to this partnership enhancing their ability to make a positive impact on the community.”

Currently, more than 825 Home Depot stores are partnered with about 650 nonprofit organizations across the country. The nonprofit selection process and the specifics of the donation process for each are managed by Gifts in Kind International.

“The generous donations of The Home Depot to charitable organizations around the country help nonprofits such as the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley to survive these tough economic times and continue serving people in need in the community,” said Gifts In Kind international president and CEO Cindy Hallberlin. “Gifts In Kind is honored to work with The Home Depot to help nonprofits and the people they serve in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties obtain products that can help them be more successful.”

Charitable organizations wishing to partner with a local Home Depot store should contact Gifts In Kind International at (703) 836-2121 or visit:  http://www.giftsinkind.org/homedepot

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About the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley was established in 1937 and remains committed to supporting the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill communities through the allocation of dollars devoted to local agencies and essential services programs.  With the help of corporate, employee, and individual donations, the United Way impacts one-in-three lives through programs that focus on urgent human and social services needs:  helping children, youth, and adults achieve their potential; promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health and independence.  The United Way also oversees the HandOn Mid-Willamette Valley initiative—a volunteer action center that works to create change in the community through civic engagement.  As well as the Salem Area Transit Bus Pass Program and the Yamhill 2-1-1 helpline.  For more information about the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley call:  (503) 363-1651 or visit:  unitedwaywmv.org

Gifts In Kind International
Ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the nation’s best-managed charities in America, Gifts In Kind International (http://www.giftsinkind.org) is dedicated to helping people and communities by distributing new corporate product donations—including books, toys, personal care products and clothing, building supplies, computers and other technology products, and much more—to qualified nonprofit organizations. The charitable organization works with more than half of the Fortune 100 consumer, retail and technology companies. Last year, Gifts In Kind distributed product donations valued at more than $400 million.

The Home Depot & The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,245 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China.  Created in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating and preserving healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities.  Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $190 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 95,000 homes, planted more than 1.2 million trees, and built or refurbished more than 1,875 playgrounds, parks and greenspaces. For more information, visit http://www.homedepotfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn.

Additional Media Contacts:
Kara Kozimor, Gifts in Kind International      
(703) 299-7575 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Catherine Woodling, The Home Depot Foundation
(770) 384-2304 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
 

 

 

Shangri-La

Shangri-La Corporation is a local non-profit organization that offers a variety of services and programs for people with disabilities or disadvantages.  They provide job skills training, housing and employment opportunities that empower people to become active members of their communities. 

Since 1964, what began as a school for children with disabilities is now a diverse organization providing services for a variety of people throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast. Shangri-La’s services help those with mental illness, developmental or documented disabilities, recipients of TANF (Temporary Aid For Needy Families), or those who are incarcerated or homeless. About 150 of their 550 employees have specialized employment jobs that accommodate specific needs and/or disabilities. For some, the supports they receive allow an increase in self-sufficiency. Others, however, benefit from full-time assistance with living and daily care services. 

Shangri La has a growing volunteer program. They are looking for volunteers age 16 and older to create more community inclusion activities or assist with special projects.
They offer volunteer opportunities for groups interested in “Do-it-in-a-day” activities.  Currently, they have 11 project activities to choose from; these consist of everything from building a basketball court, landscaping a neighborhood home, to painting one of their buildings.

Individual volunteers are welcome at LEAP - their Life Enrichment Activities Program. Salem’s LEAP has a wonderful new facility that includes a craft area, computer café, computer gaming area, a lounge and a coffee café.  The opportunities to teach others hobbies, or accompany a small group of people with developmental disabilities to attend a community event are some possibilities.  Other ideas could include:  demonstrating simple cooking skills; a reading group; arts and crafts; basic computer skills or gaming; gardening; photography and musical activities. If you have an idea for an activity, or would like a tour of their activities area in Salem, give them a call.

For more information contact Shangri-La’s Volunteers Coordinator at 503-581-1732 x328. Opportunities are listed on the HandsOn website and at http://www.shangrilacorp.org/volunteer.html
Melissa Gibler, Director of Programs at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley
HandsOn is the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. 
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
1-877-372-4141
HandsOn is an initiative of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

People Power

Volunteering for a national service program is a rewarding and highly impactful experience! Thousands of organizations benefit from the additional staff capacity a national service member brings including: Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Nationally more than 2,000 nonprofits have hired AmeriCorps members to help meet community needs and strengthen the reach of their organizations. Americorps members receive comprehensive training and support to bring innovative business-based approaches to citizen problem-solving.

In Oregon there are currently over 15,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds working on local needs to strengthen communities. Of these, 9,700 are senior citizens and 5,300 are students. Serving with national and local nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations and other groups, members tutor and mentor children, coordinate after-school programs, build homes, restore the environment, respond to disasters, build nonprofit capacity and recruit and manage volunteers. Nationally, AmeriCorps programs mobilized 2.4 million volunteers for the organizations they have served over the last year.

HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley almost tripled our staff with the addition of national service members, allowing us to offer seven volunteer management trainings, nine national days of service, and 6178 volunteer connections. The people power of a national service member to make a real difference at a local level is extraordinary. Right now more positions then ever are available, many only requiring a one year commitment! The benefits to the community are compelling; however the benefits to you are equally important. National service provides a plethora transferable job skills, establishes networking opportunities, a sizable educational award to pay current or future education debt, as well as a living stipend.

This is a great way to engage locally, or to experience life across the United States of America. Positions are posting over the summer, with start dates in early September. To learn more about national service programs and to apply visit Oregon Volunteers! at http://www.oregonvolunteers.org/americorps/member/

Khela Singer-Adams is the Director of HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, an initiative of the United Way.  Khela can be contacted at 503-364-1005, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Outreach shelter aids homeless

Did you know that on any given night, 18 families in Salem go without shelter? Families with children are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, and during the 2007-2008 school year 915 homeless students were enrolled in Salem-Keizer School District.

Did you know the YWCA’s Salem Outreach Shelter provides shelter and intensive case management to 60 families every year? SOS has provided resources to end the cycle of poverty since 1988. They are a transitional shelter that can house 15 families at one time. Each family has their own room. They also offer money management instruction, long-term housing and employment assistance. Families who use SOS’s services have made a commitment to change their lives. With the help of SOS, families develop intensive work plans to move them toward becoming contributing members of society and to a sustainable living situation. Parents know their family has a safe place to stay, and all school-aged children attend school during their time there. So what can volunteers do to support SOS? There are many ongoing and one-time service opportunities at SOS.

One program that brings out your inner interior decorator is the Adopt a Room Program. This is an opportunity for anyone with a flair for furniture placement and a knack for color. Represent your own style by painting, hanging pictures and picking out other room necessities to create a homey feel for SOS residents. Volunteers also are needed to adopt bath and shower rooms. For a list of all of SOS’s volunteer opportunities, contact Anita Padilla at (503) 588-8898 or apadilla @ywcasalem.org.

Melissa Gibler is director of Programs at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. Contact her at mgibler@unitedway mwv.org or (503) 363-1651.

Hunger is an urgent need that affects our entire community, this year dramatically more than last.

Marion-Polk Food Share collected a record 5,082,674 pounds of food (342,000 pounds more than last year) and distributed it to more than 80 direct-service agencies in Marion and Polk counties. With an average of 6,561 families a month receiving emergency food boxes, MPFS estimate that one of five area families ate from an emergency food box at least once in the past 12 months. This includes an estimated 10,500 children per month.

Balanced and nutritious meals are an important building block for our children to be able to learn and succeed. While getting food to those in need is important, MPFS works hard to fill food boxes consistently with healthy and nutritious core foods. As you are out shopping, consider adding a couple of core food items to your list and make a donation to MPFS. Core foods include grains, vegetables, fruit, milk or dairy alternative, meat, beans and eggs. Food donations can be dropped off at 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE in Salem between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In order for core foods to make the most difference for families’ nutrition, it is important that the recipes and skills for how to cook the food are shared as well. MPFS, in partnership with the OSU Extension Service, has built a strong program to share basic information about nutrition, food preparation, food safety and food shopping. This program has been piloted at six local sites by 17 volunteers who are making a big difference for families. With a goal of sharing this resource at every food pantry in Marion and Polk counties, there is an immediate need for additional volunteers to do food demonstrations in food pantries. Volunteers do not need a background in nutrition and are provided with all of the information and materials needed including recipes, supplies, and talking points. Volunteers are asked to spend three to five hours at a pantry once a month sharing this important resource with families.

To learn more about how you can volunteer, contact Lisa Wallig at (503) 373-3754. Visit http://www.marionpolkfoodshare.org for a complete list of core foods you can donate.

Khela Singer-Adams is the Director of HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, an initiative of the United Way. Khela can be contacted at (503) 364-1005, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Marion County CASA needs you!

Even for adults, navigating the court system is a difficult, confusing and even a scary thing.  Imagine you are a child who has just been pulled out of an abusive home and are now placed into a new foster home and you are at the mercy of the juvenile court system.  This is where CASA Volunteers come in.  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are a special breed of volunteer that stand up for what is best for children as they make their way through the courts.  CASA Volunteers come from all walks of life – they are married, single, religious or not; most are university graduates although some are not.  They all love children and want to help those who need it most. CASAs investigate each case and make recommendations based on the best interests of the child.  They advocate for services needed to maintain the child’s growth and development and act as the voice of the child in court.  They monitor the progress of the case until the child is placed in a safe home. 
 
There are so many details that go into these court cases; while in state care, attention must be paid to the child’s physical wellbeing, education, family relationships, and many other concerns. Parents are working at completing services so they can regain their children; possible alternate placements must be investigated – the children’s best interests can easily get lost in the shuffle.  CASAs are assigned to one child or one family of children at a time, so they have the time to keep track of all these details, and keep the social workers, attorneys and the Judge informed about what is happening in the case. National studies have indicated that children who have a CASA volunteer are less likely to experience new abuse and neglect.  They receive more of the appropriate services they need and are less than half as likely as children without a CASA to reenter the system after finding a permanent home. 
Currently there are not enough CASA Volunteers to meet the need in Marion County.  Becoming a CASA Volunteer is both rewarding and a great service to the community and its young residents.  Check out the Marion County CASA website for more information and to download the application.  http://www.MarionCountyCASA.org

Do you want to help the CASA program but you can’t commit to becoming a CASA volunteer?  There are plenty of other great service opportunities available.  Contact Jeanne Burbank for details.  503-378-6327 ext 369
Melissa Gibler, Director of Programs at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley

HandsOn is the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. 
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
1-877-372-4141

HandsOn is an initiative of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

United Way Honors Community Wide Success with No Dining, Just Doing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts: UWMWV Office (503) 363-1651
Denise Swanson, Resource Development Director

UNITED WAY HONORS COMMUNITY WIDE SUCCESS WITH NO DINING, JUST DOING

Salem, OR (April 13, 2010):  Last Thursday (4/8/2010), United Way of the Mid-Willamette thanked donors, advocates, and volunteers for a successful year of living united in the Mid-Willamette Valley.  Because of generous support from the local community, United Way was able to bring more than 2 million dollars in resources into Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties last year through several different sources such as workplace and individual giving, grants, in-kind donations, and volunteerism. 

More than 300 community members attended United Way’s annual community celebration, including United Way Board members and staff, elected officials, volunteers, community and business leaders. However instead of the traditional seated meal, attendees continued to LIVE UNITED at the event with an evening of giving back – No Dining, Just Doing.   

Presented in partnership with HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, the event offered over 25 volunteer projects housed in the Salem Conference Center, providing attendees with opportunities to engage in a variety of volunteer projects during the event that supported the work of local agencies in the areas of education, income, and health.  United Way and HandsOn were able to mobilize over $11,000 in volunteer resources into our community during the event. 

The event was sponsored by a group of outstanding businesses, committed to creating better opportunities for everyone. They are:

Presenting Sponsor: US Bank; Platinum Sponsor: Salem Oncology & Hematology; Silver Sponsor: A-Dec; Bronze Sponsors: Capitol Auto Group, AmeriTitle, PGE, and Allied Video Productions.

The evening also presented an awards ceremony recognizing local business, school districts and United Way partner agencies for their contributions, support, and participation in the campaign and its community focused activities.

Gerry Frank LIVE UNITED Award: Dr. William “Bud” Pierce
This award recognizes the most distinguished volunteer of the campaign for their exceptional leadership and commitment to the success of the community-wide effort. 

Volunteer Award: Guido Caldarazzo Loaned Executive of the Year:
Christie Scott – Garten Services
Additional nominees included: Ginger Melton (Phoenix Inn), Gerry Bogan-Morgan (Self-Employed)
This award recognizes the employee and the business that loaned personnel to this year’s campaign to open doors, bring positive energy, raise funding, recruit other LEs and overall time donated.

UNITED WAY HONORS COMMUNITY WIDE SUCCESS WITH NO DINING, JUST DOING
Page 2

Volunteer Award: Days of Caring Volunteer Team of the Year:
Wachovia/Wells Fargo
Additional Nominees Include: Lowe’s, Unitrin Specialties
This award recognizes the spirit of corporate volunteering, project outcomes, number of volunteer hours, and teams that went above and beyond. 

Advocate Award:
Paul Krissel
Additional Nominees Include: Lee Means, Roger Jordan
This award recognizes the person who has advocated to advance the mission of United Way, lending their voice on behalf of our work place campaign as well as the United Way community impact agenda. 

Give Awards: Campaigns of the Year
These awards recognize the top campaign in the non-profit, public, and private sectors for overall excellence in their United Way Campaign, demonstrated through increasing employee education about community needs through speakers and other presentations and increases in employee involvement, campaign events planned, funds raised, and management participation within the campaign.

Non Profit Campaign of the Year: Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency
Additional Nominees Included: YWCA, Catholic Community Services

Public Sector Campaign of the Year: City of Dallas
Additional nominees included: Salem Area Mass Transit District, City of Independence

Private Sector Campaign of the Year:  Country Financial  
Additional nominees Included: Withnell Motor Company, Bank of the Cascades, Prudential Real Estate Professionals, Capitol Auto Group, Salem Hospital

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Gifts In Kind Program Partners with Borders

News Release

SALEM NONPROFIT RECEIVING DONATED BOOKS, OTHER PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL BORDERS STORE

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley Approved to Participate in New National Product Donation Program Provided by Borders and Managed by Gifts In Kind International

April 12, 2010—Salem, OR—United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley has begun receiving donated products from a local Borders store through a new national program that aims to help communities and improve the lives of people in need. The new program is managed by Gifts In Kind International, a national charity that distributes new, donated products to qualified charities.

“Being partnered with two local Borders locations is going to allow our organization to substantially expand our in-kind program and the impact it has on the non profits that participate with us. Our partnership with Gifts in Kind International has allowed our organization to redistribute over $60,000 worth of in kind product back out into our community in the last year.”

In an effort to help charitable organizations faced with eliminating community literacy, ESL and other programs, Borders partnered with Gifts In Kind International earlier this year to launch an ongoing corporate giving program. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley qualified to join the program in March 2010 and will pick up donations on a regular basis throughout the year. 

“These are challenging times and people need retailers like Borders to step up and get involved by supporting their communities,” said Gifts In Kind International President and CEO Cindy Hallberlin. “Generous contributions from Borders to charities across the country help nonprofits such as United Way of the Mid-Willamette to survive these tough economic times and continue serving people in need in the community.”

The donations received by United Way of the Mid-Willamette will include books, CDs, DVDs and other items typically sold in Borders stores.

Charitable organizations wishing to partner with a local Borders store should contact Gifts In Kind’s Melissa Trumpower (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). 

About Gifts In Kind International
Ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the nation’s best-managed charities in America, Gifts In Kind International (http://www.giftsinkind.org) is dedicated to helping people and communities by distributing new corporate product donations—including books, toys, personal care products and clothing, building supplies, computers and other technology products, and much more—to qualified nonprofit organizations. The charitable organization works with more than half of the Fortune 100 consumer, retail and technology companies. Last year, Gifts In Kind distributed product donations valued at more than $400 million.

Contact: Kara Rotella                                      
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley                              
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                          
Phone: (503) 363-1651

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Wells Fargo earns top spot as largest United Way employee campaign!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wells Fargo earns top spot as largest United Way employee campaign; employee & corporate gifts totaled over $60 million

ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 19, 2010) — Wells Fargo became the largest employee campaign in the entire U.S., based on 2009 campaign results and rankings recently finalized by United Way Worldwide. Wells Fargo team
members pledged a record $41.9 million through their annual Community Support and United Way Campaign— a 21 percent increase over the 2008 combined Wells Fargo and Wachovia campaigns. Combined with corporate
gifts, this totaled more than $60 million, which will be used in part to help United Way meet national goals to increase the number of students who graduate, help more families become financially stable, and increase the
number of healthy youth and adults.

“This year, Wells Fargo became the largest employee campaign in the entire U.S.,” said United Way Worldwide Executive Vice President Atul Tandon. “Wells Fargo and its team members increased not only their giving, but
also volunteered more than one million hours. This momentous accomplishment demonstrates Wells Fargo’s corporate citizenship and its employees’ incredible generosity and commitment to helping others.” Additionally, more than 32,000 Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.23 million hours in 2009, providing financial literacy classes, free tax preparation and much more. In March, United Way recognized Wells Fargo with a Summit Award for exceptional volunteerism as a testament to the company and its employees’ ongoing commitment to communities. The company also gave $202 million in grants to support other nonprofits.

“During these difficult economic times, it’s more important now than ever for companies and their team members to give back to their communities to help create economic growth and prosperity,” said Jon R. Campbell,
executive vice president, social responsibility group at Wells Fargo. “I continue to be amazed by the incredible dedication and compassion our team shows by generously investing their time, energy, and personal financial
resources in our communities. That is the spirit of our culture and our vision and values.” Wells Fargo is a distinguished member of the United Way Global Corporate Leadership program, an elite group of the country’s top corporate citizens, dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities to create a better life for all people. Wells Fargo has been recognized by Forbes, Business Week, Newsweek and Barron’s as one of the world’s most admired, most generous and most respected companies.
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About United Way
United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on the three
key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is
a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: http://www.LIVEUNITED.org.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores and 12,000
ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. The Company promotes economic growth and self-sufficiency, education, social services, the arts and the environment in thousands of
communities across North America. In 2009, the Company gave $202 million in grants to 18,000 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.2 million volunteer hours around the country. For more about Wells
Fargo’s achievements in Social Responsibility: http://www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.

Community Facilitated Dialogue Schedule

Community Facilitated Dialogue Schedule

Registration is required as space is limited at each Facilitated Dialogue.  Please contact Mikki Trowbridge at 503-363-1651 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to register.  Locations will be disclosed when you register. 

Marion County:
Tuesday, February 23: noon-1:30pm
Monday, March 1: 5-6:30pm
Monday, March 8: 10-11:30am
Wednesday, March 10: 2-3:30pm
Monday, March 15: 3:30-5pm
Thursday, March 18: 5:30-7pm
Wednesday, March 24: 2-3:30pm
Thursday, March 25: 1-2:30pm
Tuesday, April 6: 8:30-10am
Wednesday, April 7: 3:30-5pm

Polk County:
Wednesday, March 3: 3:30-5pm
Thursday, March 18: 1-2:30pm

Yamhill County:
Tuesday, March 2: 1-2:30pm
Monday, March 22: noon - 1:30pm

More dates will be scheduled if necessary. 

Agency Facilitated Dialogue Schedule

Agency Facilitated Dialogue Schedule

Registration is required as space is limited at each Facilitated Dialogue.  Please contact Mikki Trowbridge at 503-363-1651 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to register.  Locations will be disclosed when you register. 

Agency Staff, please note that March 17th in Marion County is during the regular Alliance meeting, which will be dedicated to Facilitated Dialogues for your convenience. 

Marion County:
Thursday, March 4: 1-2:30pm
Wednesday, March 17: 8:30-10:00am (during the Alliance Meeting)
Monday, April 5: 2:30-4pm

Polk County:
Thursday, March 11: 1-2:30pm

Yamhill County:
Tuesday, April 6: 8:30-10am (Yamhill Alliance)

More dates will be scheduled if necessary. 

Community Engagement

Community Survey

United Way will be gathering survey responses from across the community about residents’ perceptions of community needs and United Way’s role in meeting those needs.  The survey is electronic, available in both English and Spanish, and takes 7-10 minutes to complete. 

Take the Survey!
En Espanol

Facilitated Dialogues

United Way staff and volunteers will be facilitating numerous small group dialogues between January and April, with dates and times available in all three counties.  Due to a limited number of spots, only United Way Partner Agencies, donors, workplace partners, and volunteers have been invited to participate.  If you have not received an invitation and would like to participate, please contact Mikki Trowbridge (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). 

Schedule of Facilitated Dialogues for Agency Staff and Representatives

Community Facilitated Dialogue Schedule

Questions? Contact Mikki at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 503-363-1651. 

 

Relief for Haiti

On the evening of January 12, 2010, a major earthquake, 7.0 magnitude, hit Haiti. The loss is astounding and affects the global community.

Local United Ways, including United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, are encouraging individuals wanting to help to make a financial donation to the relief efforts. No gift is too small. Every gift and ever person makes a difference. United Way disaster relief is managed through United Way Worldwide.

United Way Worldwide’s Core Crisis Team has been mobilized and is in contact its Caribbean Regional Team to gather more information about the needs on the ground. All funds contributed will be used by United Way Worldwide for long-term recovery efforts.

Donate to UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Checks can also be sent to the following address (with the Haiti Relief Fund reference in either memo line or enclosed correspondence):

United Way Worldwide
P.O. Box 630568      
Baltimore, MD 21263-0568

People can also contribute to Haiti’s long-term recovery by texting: Text HAITI to UNITED (864833).

Other organizations in need of financial contributions to assist with Haiti’s relief efforts:

Red Cross:

The Red Cross is not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. The best way to support the Red Cross efforts in Haiti is to make a donation to the International Relief Fund online at  

http://www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-Red-Cross.  People may also text “HAITI” to “90999” to make a donation of $10, which will be given to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts.
hwww.redcross.org/
Text “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10 donation

MercyCorps:

MercyCorps is deploying an emergency response team. Check out their blog and more details on the relief effort.
http://www.mercycorps.org/give

Medical Teams International:

Medical Teams International is sending a very experienced team of six people to Haiti on Thursday. The team will be carrying medicines and orthopedic supplies - enough to help 12,000 people for a week. An orthopedic specialty team is scheduled to depart on Sunday.
http://www.medicalteams.org/sf/donate.aspx

Emergency Food and Shelter Grants

Emergency Food and Shelter Local Board
Salem/Marion and Polk Counties
c/o 455 Bliler Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97301

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:  Mikki Trowbridge, Community Impact Director (503) 363-1651, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
               

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  January 25, 2010

Applications Now Being Accepted for Emergency Food and Shelter Funds

Congress has appropriated funds for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program under the Department of Homeland Security.  The Local Board has received notification that the total award for Marion and Polk Counties will be $ $307,974 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs within the two counties. 

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:
be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, have an accounting system,  practice nondiscrimination, and if they are a voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.  Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program are now accepting applications for use of emergency food and shelter funds in Marion and Polk Counties.  Agencies providing emergency food or shelter services may apply for funds before January 25, 2010. Applications and information are available online at http://www.unitedwaymwv.org.

Download application materials.

The Local Board, made up of representatives of non-profit agencies, community members, and local government representatives, will make the allocations of funds to local agencies in early February.

Agencies applying for funding will be asked to make brief presentations (5-7 minutes) to the Local Board. Presentations will take place on Thursday, February 4th between 8:00-11:00 a.m. Applicants are asked to email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to schedule their presentation time. Funds will be awarded based on the application meeting the requirements of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, the ability of the applicant agency to meet the reporting requirements of the program, and the need in the community.

For more information on the application process please go to http://www.unitedwaymwv.org or contact Mikki Trowbridge at United Way Mid-Willamette Valley (503)363-1651 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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FEMA Grant Applications Now Accepted

The Marion and Polk Local Board is now accepting applications for use of emergency food and shelter funds in Marion and Polk Counties.  Agencies providing emergency food or shelter services may apply for funds immediately.

Applications are due by Monday, January 25, 2010.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, have an accounting system,  practice nondiscrimination, and if they are a voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.  Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

The Local Board, made up of representatives of non-profit agencies, community members, and local government representatives, will make the allocations of funds to local agencies in early February. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will serve as the local administrator of these funds.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds can download application instructions, forms, and reference materials below.
Instructions:

Download Application Letter 2010 below:
Application_Letter_2010.doc

Download Forms A, B, and C below:
FORM_A_National_Board_Form.doc
FORM_B_Local_Application_Form.doc
FORM_C_-_Local_Recipient_Organization_Certification.doc

Download Reference Materials below:
Sample_Eligible_and_Ineligible_Form.doc
FEMA_Reference_Manual.pdf

For questions or to get more information contact Mikki Trowbridge at United Way Mid-Willamette Valley (503)363-1651 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Read the full Press Release.

 

Warming Center Open Tonight

Volunteers with the Willamette Chapter of the American Red Cross are opening a Warming Center in Salem tonight (Wednesday, December 9) to help shelter people from the cold weather.  The site for the Warming Center will be at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall located at 630 Hood St NE in Salem.  Hours of operation will be 9:00 pm to 7:00 am tonight and 7:00 pm to 7:00 am on Thursday and Friday.  Weekend hours to be determined based on need.

People who need to stay at the Center will be offered warm beverages and bread each evening and breakfast each morning.  Cots and blankets along with basic hygiene items will also be available.

Dogs and cats will be accepted with their owners, however must be crated (provided at shelter) for the duration of their stay, with the exception of exercise breaks outside the Center.  Limited food and water for the pets will be provided.

Public calls about the Center may be made to the Red Cross Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.  After hours calls should be made to 503-881-2874.  Media inquires should be made to Margaret A. Sanner at 503-508-0688.

Welcome New Board Members

SALEM, OR—United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley welcomes two new board members to its Board of Directors, Bruce Wyatt and Jock Dalton.

Bruce Wyatt is Vice President of College Relations for Linfield College in McMinnville. Wyatt is an active community member and sits on the board of numerous regional organizations including Yamhill Valley Visitors Association, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce and Linfield Chamber Orchestra.

John “Jock” Dalton is President and Co-owner of Dalton Rock, Inc. in Dallas. Dalton is a long-time Polk County resident and businessman and is active in the Polk Soil and Water District.

“Both Bruce and Jock are tremendous additions to our board,” said Gayle Caldarazzo, Executive Director of United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. “Bruce Wyatt brings years of partnership and fund development experience, as well as his representation of Yamhill County. And, Jock Dalton’s business and financial background, as well as his representation of Polk County will strengthen and broaden not only our board, but our work throughout the tri-county region.”

Wyatt and Dalton will join current board members: Will Wilkson, Ryan Allbritton, Jeannette Moore, Gladys Blum, Betty Hart, Brad Moore, Ray Burstedt, Carrie Casebeer, Jim Edmonds, Roger Jordan, Dennis McIntire, Gregg Peterson, Dick Withnell, Jack Caynon, Brady Mertz, Al Debacker, Mark Freed, Tina Hernandez, Bud Pierce, Dave VanBossuyt.

About United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s mission is to unite people and resources for a stronger community. By working with a network of local volunteers and community agencies, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley focuses its work in three critical areas: Education, Income and Health – with the goal of creating long-term change. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley also provides HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, a regional volunteer action center. For more information about United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, visit http://www.unitedwaymwv.org or call (503) 363-1651.

November 12, 2009

National Family Volunteer Day

November 21 - Join families across the nation for a day of investing in your community. This annual day of service, held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is designed to demonstrate the power of families who choose to volunteer together to support the communities in which they live and serve.  Volunteering as a family provides quality time for busy families, strengthens communication and positively impacts local communities across the nation.

For project ideas email Chelsea Whitlow with HandOn Mid-Willamette Valley at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

HandsOn community partners are posting opportunities to volunteer on this day. Check often. Act Now!

To learn more about getting involved in your community all year long, visit the HandsOn website at http://www.handsonmwv.org

Get a LIVE UNITED shirt

Show your support for getting involved in your community. Get LIVE UNITED t-shirts to help spread the message about Give. Advocate Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.

Individuals shirts are available for $10 each.A limited quantity of women’s cut shirts are available. Please specify.

United Way funded agencies and official workplace campaign partners ordering six or more shirts at one time, may purchase up to 24 shirts for $8.00 each or purchase 25 or more shirts and pay $6.00 per shirt. Please download the t-shirt order form, fill out appropriate information and fax to the United Way office at (503) 581-2730. You will be contacted when your order is ready for pick-up.

Get the Shirt - LIVE UNITED T-shirt Order Form - shirtorderform.pdf

LIVE UNITED Campaign Kickoff

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley kicked off its 2009 Community Campaign on Sept. 17 at the Salem Conference Center. We are grateful to everyone who came in support of United Way’s mission to help people improve their lives.

Close to 400 community members attended the event, which marks the beginning of United Way’s annual fundraising campaign to support community based programs and services throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counts.

The afternoon event also showcased the official launch of LIVE UNITED, which highlighted personal stories from community members who are giving back to our community through volunteerism, advocacy and financial donations.

With the community’s support, we hope to raise $2 million this year. About 300 regional companies and agencies support the annual workplace campaign.

Each year, thousands of people here in tri-county area are helped by United Way-funded programs and initiatives. United, we can ensure our youth succeed, families and individuals are strong, healthy and self-sufficient and people can stay in their homes safely.

Special thanks to those who helped make our kickoff possible and our sponsors:

Gold - Statesman Journal
Silver - A-dec
Bronze - Roth’s, PGE, AmeriTitle

United Way Launches Yamhill 2-1-1

Yamhill 2-1-1 Information and Referral Connects People to Needed Resources

SALEM, Oregon—There is good news for residents of Yamhill County. Finding answers to health and human service questions is much easier thanks to Yamhill 2-1-1. Just as people call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 4-1-1 for directory assistance, callers throughout Yamhill County are now able to dial 2-1-1 and speak with a trained referral specialist about critical health and human services available to the community. The multi-lingual information and referral service, launched in August by Yamhill County Commission on Children and Families, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and 211info, puts people in touch with those who can help them address health and human service issues. The service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout Yamhill County. In an emergency, the 2-1-1 service can also provide public health information.

“Every day, someone in our community needs essential services,” said Marilyn Kennelly, Director of Yamhill County’s Commission on Children and Families. “People often don’t know where to turn and sometimes go without those necessary and readily available services. Yamhill 2-1-1 helps connect them with the information they need.”

The 2-1-1 Call Center is staffed by professionally trained and certified information and referral specialists, who assess callers’ needs and make the appropriate referral using a comprehensive database of community services. Although more than 80% of the U.S. population has access to 2-1-1, prior to the introduction of Yamhill 211, the only Oregon residents with access to the service were in the Portland metropolitan area and Central Oregon.

“A centralized database of services, with a single access point, has been identified by local agencies as an important, unmet need,” said Mikki Trowbridge, United Way Community Impact Director. “Partnering to bring 2-1-1 to Yamhill County reflects United Way’s commitment to invest in programs that make a lasting improvement in the communities we serve.”

The Yamhill 2-1-1 system is also a critical information system during and after a community emergency such as a flood, fire, or severe weather incident. It can field calls regarding the crisis and direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs, maintaining access of the 9-1-1 system for life threatening situations.

Gayle Caldarazzo, Executive Director of United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, said, “With Yamhill -2-1-1, we’re strengthening connections between those who need help and those who can provide answers and assistance. United Way is committed to this project and are working to see it evolve throughout our three counties”

Yamhill 2-1-1 is operated, and initial funding provided, through a partnership between United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Yamhill County Commission on Children and Families and 211info. Efforts seeking state support are underway and the Calling for 2-1-1 Act seeks to authorize federal funding to develop and sustain 2-1-1 programs across the nation. The goal is to broaden the funding base to a minimum of four partners to ensure long-term sustainability.

To contact Yamhill 2-1-1, dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Yamhill County or access the online database at http://www.Yamhill211.org. For more information on Yamhill 2-1-1, contact, Marilyn Kennelly, Yamhill County Commission on Children and Families (503) 474-4923, or Mikki Trowbridge, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley (503) 363-1651.

About Yamhill County Commission on Children and Families
The Commission on Children and Families’ legislative mandate is to assist government, service providers, non-profits, communities and families to work together to help families become healthier and more self-sufficient. The Commission is made up of 19 community volunteers who are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The Commission volunteers provide the foundational direction for the work of the department staff.

About United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is mobilizing our community’s resources to create sustained change and improve lives by partnering with non-profits, government, corporate and private-sector leaders. United Way supports agencies and programs devoted to improving lives in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties by focusing its work on Education, Income and Health.

About 2-1-1 and 211info
2-1-1 is the three digit number set aside by the federal Communications Commission (FCC) in July 2000 for the sole purpose of providing health and human service information and referral (I&R). Similar to 911 for emergency services and 411 for directory assistance, 2-1-1 is the three digit number to dial for health and human service information and referral.
211info was originally formed in Portland in 1978 as Metro Crisis Intervention Services, operating a crisis and suicide hotline. In 1997 the organization shifted its focus to providing information and referral phone services under the name Guide Line, Inc. funded largely by the United Way of the Columbia Willamette. 211info was formed in 2003 as the result of United Way funding efforts, the advent of the three digit dialing code, and the partnership of basic I&R programs from local counties.

2009 Kickoff Registration

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

LIVE UNITED

September 17, 2009
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Register Now!

2009 Campaign Kickoff

Sept 17 - Kickoff Luncheon

JOIN the MOVEMENT. LIVE UNITED!

2009 Campaign Kickoff
Thursday, September 17, 2009
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

(Seating opens at 11:30 am. Programs begins at noon.)

Salem Conference Center
Willamette Room
200 Commercial St SE

Table Sponsorships Still Available—Call Today

Please RSVP Online today!

Thank You to Our Supporting Sponsors
Gold - Statesman Journal
Silver - A-dec
Bronze - Roth’s, PGE, AmeriTitle

United Way Announces $1,131,000 in Grants

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s Board of Directors approved grant funding for 63 programs managed by 46 agencies across Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

Salem, Oregon (June 16, 2009) —United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley awarded $1,131,000 in grants today to address community needs in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. United Way will invest financial resources in 63 health and service programs managed by 46 agencies serving residents of the tri-county area.

The 2009 grant allocations support community needs in three targeted areas. United Way community priority areas and their respective 2009 grant totals are:
• Education ($290,000) —Helping children, youth and adults achieve their potential
• Income ($452,000) —Promoting financial stability
• Heath ($389,000) —Improving people’s health and independence

Funding priorities are based on community impact research identifying the most pressing health and human service needs and resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact in addressing these needs. Programs receiving funding are accountable to the community for the dollars they are receiving through reporting data and results to ensure the programming is building a stronger, healthier community.

All agencies applying for funding were asked to demonstrate in their funding applications how their programs were defined and measured to achieve intended results. The information was one of several criteria used by United Way resource investment volunteers in making their funding recommendations.

United Way received 91 program applications from 60 agencies across the tri-county service area, totaling $2.9 million in requests. Over several weeks, 58 trained funding panel volunteers critically analyzed the funding applications, thoroughly evaluating each application and providing funding level recommendations to United Way’s Community Impact Council.  The Council reviewed and then made final funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors for ratification.

“These volunteers represent the communities we serve and work extremely hard to determine the programs that are creating positive results,” said Denise Swanson, community impact director for United Way. “They understand the importance of supporting successful programs, while ensuring United Way is accountable for its investments in the communities we serve.”

“Thanks to our community, we are providing funding to 63 local programs in three different
areas of community need,” said Gayle Caldarazzo, executive director of the United Way. “Because of our hard-working volunteers and people who give in our community, we are able to reach those who need it most.”

Additionally, another $964,000 from designated pledges will be distributed to specific agencies or programs as directed by individual donors.

About United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s mission is to unite people and resources for a stronger community. By working with a network of local volunteers and community agencies, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley funds programs in three critical areas: Education, Income and Health – with the goal of creating long-term change. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley also provides HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, a regional volunteer action center. For more information about United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, visit http://www.unitedwaymwv.org or call (503) 363-1651.

###

Annual Meeting

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will hold its Annual Board Meeting on June 10, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.  The board will hold its annual election of officers for the upcoming year. The public is welcome to attend. 

For more information regarding the annual meeting contact: Gayle Caldarazzo, United Way Executive Director at (503) 363-1651 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Federal Emergency Grants Available

The Marion and Polk Local Board has been selected to receive $132,668 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs within the two counties.  These funds have been made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The Marion and Polk Local Board is now accepting applications for use of emergency food and shelter funds in Marion and Polk Counties.  Agencies providing emergency food or shelter services may apply for funds immediately. Applications are due by May 19.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, have an accounting system,  practice nondiscrimination, and if they are a voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.  Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

The Local Board, made up of representatives of non-profit agencies, community members, and local government representatives, will make the allocations of funds to local agencies in late May. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will serve as the local administrator of the ARRA funds.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for ARRA Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Denise Swanson at United Way Mid-Willamette Valley (503)363-1651 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to receive an official application.

Gifts In Kind

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley recognizes that our local nonprofit organizations always need a wide range of contributions. Through its Gifts In Kind program, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley partners with businesses to provide quality products and services to nonprofit agencies. This important program puts needed materials and supplies in the hands of local agencies, meaning they can redirect their dollars from supplies to programs and services.

Last year, more than $46,000 of in kind goods were donated directly to United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and distributed to qualified non-profits throughout the region. These are new goods from national business, like Home Depot, Van Heusen and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Read the Statesman Journal article on the Gifts In Kind program.

Stamp Out Hunger

Join in the fight to end hunger on Saturday, May 9, 2009, by leaving non-perishable food donations in a bag next to your mailbox for your letter carrier. Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Last year, over 73 million pounds of food were donated to food banks.

This event was created by the National Association of Letter Carriers, in conjunction with Feeding America, and is sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, the United States Postal Service, United Way of America, G2 Interactive and Valpak.

What you can do to help

1) Place bags with nonperishable* food items next to your mailbox.

2) Your letter carrier will pick them up and deliver them to local food banks.

* Donate things like canned meat and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, cereal and rice. Please do not include items that have expired or are in glass containers.

Learn More About Stamp Out Hunger

Learn more about the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger initiative at http://www.stampouthunger.com

National Volunteer Week

It’s National Volunteer Week (April 19-29, 2009) and we wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your commitment in supporting United Way and the Volunteer & Mentor Center. Together, we’re working to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks of a good life: a quality education that leads to stable jobs, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.

But we can’t do it alone. We need the heads, hands and hearts of people like you to help tackle the problems facing our communities. If you already volunteer with United Way or other community groups through the Volunteer & Mentor Center, we thank you for your time and talent. If you haven’t had a chance to look for volunteer opportunities in our community, please consider doing so now. Visit the Volunteer & Mentor Center and give back today.

By volunteering, you’re creating opportunities for a better life for all. Thank you for opening your heart and lending your muscle.

Learn more at http://www.givebacktoday.org

Child Abuse Prevention Rally

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Help us raise awareness and promote prevention at the Child Abuse Prevention Month Rally on April 2 at State Capitol Building from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.  Keynote speakers will discuss elements of prevention, public policy and effects of abuse on children.  Service partners from Marion and Polk counties will also be on hand to discuss practical ways we can all prevent abuse.  Everyone in our community can make a difference.  Please join us!

Child Abuse Prevention Rally

April 2, 2009
12 to 1 p.m.
State Capitol Building

Advocacy - Resource Fair - Free Lunch

Thank you to these outstanding corporate sponsors for helping make Child Abuse Prevention Month possible:

 

Special thanks to these community supporters for their in-kind contributions:
Hurst Automotive & Welding in Keizer - hot dog lunch
Withnell Motor Company - bus transportation
Walery’s Premium Pizza - soda

Click Here to Get more information on Child Abuse Prevention Month programs and services.

 

Child Abuse Prevention

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Rally

April 21, 2010
Noon to 1 p.m.
Marion County Courthouse

Download your April 2010 Child Abuse Prevention Month Calendar: Child_Abuse_Calendar_2010.pdf

Help us raise awareness and promote prevention at the Child Abuse Prevention Month Rally on April 21st at Marion County Courthouse from Noon to 1:00 p.m.  Keynote speakers will discuss elements of prevention, public policy and effects of abuse on children.  Service partners from Marion and Polk counties will also be on hand to discuss practical ways we can all prevent abuse.  Everyone in our community can make a difference.  Please join us!

Child Abuse Prevention Month rally and educational activitiesis an initiative of United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and is brought to you by a coalition of local non-profits, government agencies, private partners and concerned citizens working to broaden awareness of child abuse, as well as prevention programs and services.

The Facts

- 1,621 children in Marion & Polk Counties were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect in 2008, a slight decrease from 2007.
- 10,421 confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in Oregon in 2008, a 3% decrease.
- 14 children died as a result of child abuse and neglect in Oregon in 2008.
- Child abuse is a tragedy that comes in a variety of forms: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, and threat of harm.  In 2008 incidents of abuse in 3 of the 5 categories decreased, with slight increases in number of confirmed cases due to emotional and physical harm.
For more information click here!

What You Can Do

Some things you can do TODAY to stop child abuse and neglect:
- Find out how to participate in short-term foster care or become a foster parent (call Billy Cordero at 503-373-1200 x348)
- Report suspected abuse or neglect (call 503-581-5535 or a local law enforcement agency)
- Volunteer your time for an agency that serves children and families in our community (see below and visit www.HandsOnMWV.org)
- Contribute financially to organizations that work to prevent child abuse or help abused children.

READ MORE >

United Way Honors Community, Reaches $2 Million Goal

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley hits 2008 campaign goal and celebrates outstanding volunteerism and community support at its annual community celebration event.

Salem, OR (March 12, 2009):  United Way of the Mid-Willamette today announced it reached its $2.0 million campaign year; hitting its fundraising goal set last fall. The 2008 annual campaign successfully garnered community support for vital human care programs and top community issues in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

“The success of this year’s campaign illustrates the tremendous commitment from regional businesses and individuals to create positive changes,” said Gayle Caldarazzo, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley executive director. 

“Their generous support will address pressing issues from early childhood and youth development, crisis services, health programs, and providing vital basic needs for all individuals, among others.”

More than 400 community members attended United Way’s annual campaign recognition dinner, including United Way Board members and staff, elected officials, volunteers, community and business leaders.

The event was sponsored by a group of outstanding businesses, committed to creating better opportunities for everyone. They are:

Presenting Sponsor: A-dec; Gold Sponsor: U.S. Bank; Silver Sponsors: Portland General Electric and Unitrin Specialty; Bronze Sponsor: Capitol Auto Group

The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony recognizing local business, school districts and United Way partner agencies for their contributions, support, and participation in the campaign and its community focused activities.

Gerry Frank Campaigner of the Year: Alan Steiger – Austin Industries

This award recognizes the most distinguished volunteer of the campaign for their exceptional leadership and commitment to the success of the community-wide effort. 

Loaned Executive of the Year: Jason Dudley- DreamCraft Homes
Additional nominees included: Janet Carlson – Marion County; Alan Steiger – Austin Industries; Cheryl Hastings- ReMax; Gayle Horton- Retired; Steve Harpham – Retired

This award recognizes the employee and the business that loaned personnel to this year’s campaign to open doors, bring positive energy, raise funding, recruit other LE’s and overall time donated.

Guido Caldarazzo Rookie of the Year: Kevin Watson- City of Keizer
Additional nominees included: Paula Radich - Newberg Schools; Sam Yakura- Ushio America; Mellissa Headstrom – Fitness Together

This award is limited to first-time campaigners, this award recognizes the best overall effort of organizations that held their first United Way campaign in 2008.

Campaigns of the Year
These awards recognizes the top Employee Campaign Coordinator and its business for overall excellence in United Way Campaign demonstrated through increasing employee education about community needs through speakers and other presentations and increases in employee involvement, campaign events planned, funds raised, and management participation within the campaign.

Non Profit Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Jennifer Snyder– Catholic Community Services
Additional Nominees Included: Jenn Columbus - Family Building Blocks; Kathy Shannon - Easter Seals Children’s Therapy Center; Kate Tarter- Resource Connections of Oregon

Public Sector Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Anne Britt – Yamhill County
Additional nominees included: Kevin Watson – City of Keizer; Jolene Kelly – Marion County; Kelly Kelly and Glenn Gross – City of Salem

Private Sector Campaign Coordinator of the Year:  Beth Haggard – A-Dec  
Additional nominees Included: Albert Almeida – Kaiser Permanente; Tony Orlandini – Do It Best; Becky Unger– Garmin AT; Charlie Engelfried– Capitol Auto Group; Carroll Kamlin– Salem Hospital

Days of Caring Volunteer Teams of the Year: Kelly Kelly - City of Salem and Mark Speckman - Willamette University Football Team
Additional Nominees Include: Kathy Saunders – Portland General Electric; Laura Clerc - Willamette University Class of 2012 Open Days; Jeanette Moore – AmeriTitle; Susan Gray – Unitrin Specialties

This award recognizes the not only the spirit volunteering, but also the team captain’s leadership, project outcomes, number of volunteer hours, and teams that went above and beyond.  The Volunteer & Mentor Center tripled participation in the 2008 Days of Caring. The annual project brought together 1,200 volunteers for a week of service projects that had an impact of over $100,000 to the tri-county area.

Community Impact Grants Available

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is now accepting grant applications for its 2009-2011 Community Impact funding cycle.

United Way is committed to allocating resources to addressing the most pressing needs of the communities we serve. The Community Impact Grant process allows United Way funds to be awarded to programs that positively impact the issues and create long-term change. Impact funds will be allocated to programs that show results.

Grant proposals for United Way 2009-2011 funding cycle will be accepted February 17 through March 23. All materials must be submitted electronically.

United Way Community Impact Grants

 

Your Role in Community Impact

Get involved in the process. Volunteer for the United Way’s funding distribution and help evaluate community issues and determine where United Way grants will be distributed.

Special to the Statesman Journal - February 4, 2009
By: Mikki Trowbridge, Director of the Volunteer & Mentor Center

Ever wonder how United Way determines which community agencies they fund?  Ever thought about how you would distribute money in the community if you had the opportunity?  Well here is your chance to experience the process first hand and have your voice heard in determining which agencies will be funded over the next two years.
 
Between now and May, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will be gearing up for its 2009 – 2011 funding cycle.  Every two years, non-profit agencies across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties apply for funding from the United Way through an intensive grant application process.  A volunteer Audit Resource Team reviews the agencies’ audits and financial information to produce a financial report on each agency to be reviewed by Volunteer Funding Panels.  The Funding Panels then review the financial reports and the agencies’ applications, discuss program effectiveness, and develop recommendations of funding allocations to be presented to the United Way’s Community Impact Council.  The United Way is currently looking for volunteers to sit on both the Audit Resource Team and the Funding Panels.

Audit Resource Team volunteers must be a CPA, CMA, CFO, CEO, accountant, or bookkeeper with experience in budget preparation, audits, financials, and accounting for not-for-profit organizations.  Time commitment includes an initial team meeting in March with about 8 to 10 hours of review meetings in April. 

Funding Panel volunteers simply need to be interested and involved in community solutions, be open minded, willing to participate in the citizen review process, and have an understanding (or at least a willingness to learn about) and appreciation of the policies and philosophy of the United Way.  Time commitment includes a two hour training in March and then 8 to 10 hours of panel meetings in April. 

Volunteer participation is critical to the fund distribution process.  It is important to the United Way and the success of its mission that community members play a key role in distributing the money that is raised through work place campaigns, corporate donations, and individual giving.  The United Way relies on individuals to financially invest in our community, and then to invest their time and talents to make sure that the community is impacted for lasting change.  You’re invited to come play a key role in this process and improving the lives of individuals and families across the Mid-Willamette Valley. 

Become a Funding Panel or Audit Team Volunteer

Mikki Trowbridge is the Director of the Volunteer & Mentor Center of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be contacted at 503-363-1651, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  The Volunteer & Mentor Center is a program of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Visit them online at www.givebacktoday.org.

The Starbucks Challenge to Serve Your Community

Starbucks and HandsOn Network affiliate, the Volunteer & Mentor Center of the Mid-Willamette Valley, are joining to launch the “I’m In!” campaign, an initiative to make it easy to participate in the President-elect’s call for national service.  In participating Starbucks stores across the nation, the American public will have an opportunity to pledge five hours or more of community service toward a local volunteer opportunity of choice.

Starbucks will honor each person who pledges with a free tall brewed coffee beginning Wednesday, Jan. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 25.  The goal of the effort is to raise pledges in excess of one million hours of service from all over the country. 

“Five hours is just 25 minutes a month for a year, two afternoons at a food bank creating care packages, a day reading to children at a hospital or in a park planting trees,” said Vivek Varma, senior vice president of Global Affairs, Starbucks Coffee Company. “We hope to help spark a new spirit of volunteerism by exceeding a million pledge hours and HandsOn Network is the perfect partner to allow our customers to join us in a renewed national commitment to community service.”

“HandsOn Network is excited to join forces with Starbucks. We have witnessed the partnerships between corporations and nonprofits grow more creative and this type of collaboration is a powerful way to reach scale and truly create a movement. Starbucks is the catalyst to reach millions of volunteers and HandsOn equips, activates and provides the much needed resources to help America fulfill the commitments made from this initiative,” said Michelle Nunn, chief executive officer.  “HandsOn has over 270 HandsOn Action Centers located in the United States and works with over 31,000 nonprofit organizations. A quick online questionnaire can steer consumers toward a fulfilling volunteer opportunity.” 
 
How to Participate at Your Local Starbucks

• Visit Starbucks: You can join the “I’m In” campaign, part of the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to community involvement, when visiting a local participating Starbucks beginning Wednesday, Jan. 21 (and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 25).  Stop by the “I’m In” display featuring community pledge cards, pick up the card, and fill it out with your five-hour commitment to volunteer. 

• Pledge Five: Place the “I’m In” sticker from the pledge card on your lapel, signifying your pledge, and take the card with you as a reminder to keep the effort going.  As a thank you, each customer who pledges five hours of their own time will receive a complimentary tall cup of brewed coffee.

• Track Success: Customers can log on to pledge5.starbucks.com to record pledge hours, find local volunteer opportunities via the HandsOn Network, track hours pledged-to-date, and receive updates on the campaign. 
 

About the Volunteer & Mentor Center of the Mid-Willamette Valley
The Volunteer & Mentor Center is the regional resource for all things volunteer related. The Center partners with over 125 community agencies throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties and currently hosts more than 300 unique volunteer opportunities on its http://www.givebacktoday.org website. The Center also works with businesses throughout the region to develop employee volunteer programs and consult on volunteerism in the workplace. The Volunteer & Mentor Center is a program of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. For more information of volunteering or how to develop a volunteer program, contact the Center at (503) 363-1651.

About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network is a national nonprofit whose core mission is to equip, mobilize and inspire people to take action that changes the world. More information on the organization is at http://www.handsonnetwork.org/.

About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. For more information on Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ please visit http://www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet.  To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at http://www.starbucks.com

Emergency Food and Shelter Grants

The Grant Process for This Cycle is Closed.

The Salem, Marion & Polk Counties area has received notification of funding from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board (otherwise known as FEMA).  $276,501 has been designated for our area, over $30,000 more than last year.

Applications for emergency food and shelter programs can now be submitted.

Please submit the original application (with the original signed forms) to the Emergency Food & Shelter program by Friday, January 23rd:

ATTN:  Emergency Food & Shelter Local Board
c/o United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
455 Bliler Street NE
Salem, OR 97301

Also submit an electronic copy of the local application form to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In a separate e-mail, applicants are asked to email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  to schedule their presentation time.

If you wish assistance in completing your application or to find answers to general questions, contact Denise Swanson at the United Way at 503-363-1651. The local board will meet after applications are received to make the awards and you will be notified of the decision of the local board. You will be requested to make a brief presentation to Board members before our deliberations on your proposal. Presentations will be made between 8:30 and 11:30 in the morning of Thursday, January 29th.

Below are the materials needed to complete your application. In addition, you can review the Local Recipient Organization Responsibilities and the information about eligible and ineligible program expenses in the booklet you received last year or download it below.  This will help you plan your application and internal procedures.

To apply:
(1) Complete the application form provided by the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program - (Local_Application_2009.doc)

(2) Complete the local form intended to provide information to the Local Board in making its decisions. Please complete the form on the computer and submit electronically and one copy in hard copy. (National_Board_Form.doc)

(3) Include a copy of your agency brochure or an informational flier or newspaper article.

(4) Complete the Local Recipient Organization Certification Form only with the original copy of your application (Organization_Certification.doc)

(5) Include one copy of your Board of Directors and your most recent annual audit or Form 990 with your hard copy application

Local Recipient Organization’s Responsibilities (LRO) - Download reference manual (Reference_Manual.pdf)

 

 

 

Non-profits Apply for Bus Passes

The January to June 2009 Grant Application Process is Closed.

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley partners with Salem Area Mass Transit District to manage the Cherriots’ bus pass program. The program distributes free bus passes to qualified Mid-Valley non-profits (including schools, churches, agencies) whose clients need transportation support throughout the area.

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is pleased to open the application process for Go Card bus passes for the January to June of 2009 period.

Qualifications for Applying:

- Agency must be a 501(c)3 non-profit serving Marion county residents.

- Agency must be serving individuals in the health and human services field.

- Agency cannot sell the awarded bus passes for any reason

- Agency may not disburse the passes to another non-profit organization or program unless approved by United Way.

- Agency must have at least one representative that is able to pick up the 6 month allotment of passes from the United Way office in January.

- Agency will be required to distribute the passes to those they serve as well as the general public that requests passes from your agency.

- Agency is responsible for tracking the disbursement of the passes from January 2009 through June 2009. Agency will be required to submit data to United Way on a quarterly basis, which will be passed onto Salem Area Mass Transit. Data spreadsheet will be provided to the email address listed on the application.

Download Application: Application_for_Bus_Passes_PDF.pdf

*If awarded passes, your organization must agree to report pass distribution per the documentation that United Way requires. Reporting is due at the end of each quarter, via a spreadsheet sent electronically by e-mail.

Individual Bus Passes
United Way does not distribute bus passes to individuals. Bus passes are issued to non-profit organizations in the area through an application process. The selected organizations are responsible for distributing passes to individuals in need. A list of organizations distributing bus passes will be posted on this website as soon as the bus passes are awarded.

Volunteer & Mentor Center Receives Grant

United Way is proud to announce it has received a grant from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund for its Volunteer & Mentor Center. The $25,000 capacity building grant provides support for the Center to continue expanding its reach and services throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

“We are proud to partner with the Volunteer & Mentor Center and United Way to expand volunteerism in our community,” said Shelley Hanson, director Spirit Mountain Community Foundation. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde dedicate a portion of the profits from Spirit Mountain Casino to the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, which makes gifts to non-profits in 11 counties throughout Oregon.

Over the past year, the Volunteer & Mentor Center as grown to have more than 100 partner agencies throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties and currently hosts more than 300 unique volunteer opportunities on its http://www.givebacktoday.org website. The Center also works with businesses throughout the region to develop employee volunteer programs and consult on volunteerism in the workplace.

“We extend our thanks to Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde and the Spirit Mountain Community Fund,” said Mikki Trowbridge, director of the Volunteer & Mentor Center. “Thanks to their support the Center will be able to increase its capacity to recruit, train and mentor volunteers who can then work with non-profits and civic organizations that are helping people change their lives.”

If you are interested in volunteering, visit http://www.givebacktoday.org. If your business is interested in starting an employee volunteer program and need assistance in developing your current program, contact the Volunteer & Mentor Center at (503) 363-1651 or e-mail Mikki Trowbridge, director, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The Volunteer & Mentor Center is a program of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Company Spotlight

Community partners make a difference. United Way recognizes these amazing businesses who are committed to giving back to our community. Meet the great companies participating in this year’s campaign.

BiMart
For the second year in a row, BiMart in Newberg received corporate recognition as the top charitable giving location within the BiMart chain due to 100% of their employees donating to the campaign. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is proud to honor the employees for their success and their second consecutive year of 100% employee campaign participation of which 89% gave through payroll deduction.

Valmont Communications
Valmont Communications, global engineer and manufacture of communications towers and structures, has a deep commitment to giving back to its community. For the third year in a row, the Salem location has been awarded the Valmont’s top philanthropic location award.  Thank you to the employees of Valmont Communications who contributed $12,912 to the 2008 United Way campaign.

Shopko
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley recognizes the employees of Shopko on Lancaster Drive for their generosity and commitment to making a difference in our community. Employees at the Salem location more than doubled their United Way campaign pledges from $3,000 in 2007 to more than $7,000 this year, earning corporate recognition as the number one charitable giving location. Congratulations and thank you to the Chris Kelsh, employee campaign coordinator and the entire Shopko Lancaster team.

Tell Us What You Think

This survey is now closed.

Click Here to take survey
Diganos lo que usted piensa
Haga clic aqui para tomar la enuesta

This survey is part of United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s Community Impact Agenda. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley serves Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties and has funding responsibility for our tri-county area. We are committed to engaging the community at a local level and to better understanding the health and human services needs of this region.

With this in mind, we need your input and are asking you to participate in this survey to help us better serve our community.

We value your opinions and assure you that your answers will be kept anonymous and confidential. You will not be identified in any way with your responses.

Thank you.

Click Here to take survey

This survey is available in Spanish. Haga clic aqui para tomar la enuesta

Weather Closure

Due to increment weather, the United Way office will be closed, Monday, December 22.

Community Spotlight-BiMart

For the second year in a row, BiMart in Newberg received corporate recognition as the top charitable giving location within the BiMart chain due to 100% of their employees donating to the campaign. United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is proud to honor the employees for their success and their second consecutive year of 100% employee campaign participation of which 89% gave through payroll deduction.

Campaign Update - Valmont

Valmont Communications, global engineer and manufacture of communications towers and structures, has a deep commitment to giving back to its community. For the third year in a row, the Salem location has been awarded the Valmont’s top philanthropic location award.  Thank you to the employees of Valmont Communications who contributed $12,912 to the 2008 United Way campaign.

Campaign Spotlight - Shopko

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley recognizes the employees of Shopko on Lancaster Drive for their generosity and commitment to making a difference in our community. Employees at the Salem location more than doubled their United Way campaign pledges from $3,000 in 2007 to more than $7,000 this year, earning corporate recognition as the number one charitable giving location. Congratulations and thank you to the Chris Kelsh, employee campaign coordinator and the entire Shopko Lancaster team.

Mentor Training 101

Helping out a child with a listening ear and a supportive heart can take just a few minutes, or be a long term commitment. This short professional development workshop focusing on building skills to help you be a great resource to children. This free workshop provides the most current information on successful mentoring programs and strategies. You may decide you want to become a mentor with one of our community partner agencies, or you may add these skills to your toolbox for future reference.

Wednesday
December 10 from 6-9pm

All trainings are held at the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley in the Volunteer and Mentor Center located at 455 Bliler Ave. NE, Salem Oregon 97301

For more information or to register: email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 503-363-1651. Learn more about the Volunteer & Mentor Center at givebacktoday.org

Shop in the City - Dec. 12

Proceeds Benefit United Way
Grab you friends and head to downtown Salem for an evening of shopping and fun, Friday, December 12th. Go Downtown and the merchant’s of downtown Salem are hosting an inaugural “Shop in the City” holiday event.

Event tickets are only $20 and proceeds will benefit the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and will be invested back into our community through the United Way’s Community Care Fund.

Your ticket includes:
• Extra savings and unique discounts at your favorite participating stores
• Complimentary glass of champagne
• Lots of chances to win great prizes at participating merchants
• Personal “swag” bag full of fun items

Tickets are available at participating merchant locations and at the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley office. Visit the Go Downtown website for more information http://www.godowntownsalem.org

Media Inquiries

For all media questions, please contact:

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

(503) 363-1651 ext. 305

Learn to Lead - Volunteer

Want to develop your leadership skills and get more people involved in building our community?
Volunteer and Mentor Center projects and teams are managed by Volunteer Leaders. Attend a free training and learn how to develop and manage every aspect of the Center’s projects, from agency con¬tact and volunteer sign-ups to project management and follow-up. As the Center’s strongest link to the community, Volunteer Leaders ensure that every volunteer has a positive experience and that the real needs of regional agency partners are being met.
The next Volunteer Leader training sessions are:

November 10th 6:30-8pm or
November 11th 3:30-5pm
For more information or to register, Khela Singer-Adams, 503-363-1651
All trainings are held at the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley located at 455 Bliler Ave. NE, Salem Oregon 97301

Scouting for Food - Dec. 6

Food Donations & Volunteers Needed
Scouting For Food 2008 seeks volunteers to collect 75,000 pounds of food across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties for families in need this holiday season. Volunteer on December 6th in your neighborhood. Find more information at the Volunteer & Mentor Centers website.

Local Boy Scout troops will once again be going door-to-door collecting food in their neighborhoods, but this year they will be joined by volunteers from Marion-Polk Food Share, Women Ending Hunger, the forty United Way Partner Agencies, and the community at-large. 

Community members are encouraged to check their kitchen cupboards for non-perishible items that can be shared with someone in need. On December 6, volunteers will canvas local neighborhoods to collect Scouting for Food bags filled with donations and to then deliver the collected food to a specified drop site. 

In addition, West Coast Bank will have collection barrels available at all branches for community members to drop off donations until December 13.

Scouting for Food

On December 6, 2008, Boy Scouts of America Cascade Pacific Council, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Marion-Polk Food Share, and the Volunteer & Mentor Center will be partnering to collect food across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties for the annual Scouting for Food event. 

For over 30 years, local Boy Scout troops have walked their neighborhoods on the first Saturday of December collecting food donations for families in need.  To increase the impact of this year’s event, the Boy Scouts are collaborating with a number of local agencies to collect our goal of 75,000 pounds of food, twice the amount raised in 2007. 

Local Boy Scout troops will once again be going door-to-door collecting food in their neighborhoods, but this year they will be joined by volunteers from Marion-Polk Food Share, Women Ending Hunger, the forty United Way Partner Agencies, and the community at-large. 

Volunteer support is needed from 9AM -1PM on Saturday, December 6th in local neighborhoods to collect Scouting for Food bags filled with donations and to then deliver the collected food to a specified drop site. 

All donated food will go to Marion-Polk Food Share and its affiliated charities.  As the regional food bank, Marion-Polk Food Share provides the bulk of the emergency food supply for the entire two-county area.  Last year that meant 4.8 million pounds of food distributed to hungry area residents through a network of 78 local member charities. 

Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up for Scouting for Food by contacting the Volunteer & Mentor Center of the Mid-Willamette Valley at 503-363-1651 or by visiting the “Special Events” page at http://www.givebacktoday.org. 

For more information about this event, please contact Mikki Trowbridge at the Volunteer & Mentor Center of the Mid-Willamette Valley at (503) 363-1651 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

 

Event Calendar

News Releases

Volunteer Center Anniversary

The Volunteer & Mentor Center recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. The Center was launched in October 2007 with a Call to Action inviting community members to contribute their time and talents to help those in need. Over the past year, the Volunteer & Mentor Center as grown to have more than 100 partner agencies throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties and currently hosts more than 300 unique volunteer opportunities on its http://www.givebacktoday.org website.

The Center also works with businesses throughout the region to develop employee volunteer programs and consult on volunteerism in the workplace. During its first year, the Volunteer & Mentor Center provided Mentoring 101 trainings in partnership with the Oregon Nation Guard; worked with Chemeketa Community College and Oregon Department of Human Services in developing employee volunteer programs, and hosted United Way’s annual Days of Caring, tripling the number of volunteers participating from last year and completing 70 partner projects throughout the three counties.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit http://www.givebacktoday.org. If your business is interested in starting a employee volunteer program and need assistance in developing your current program, contact the Volunteer & Mentor Center at (503) 363-1651 or e-mail Mikki Trowbridge, director, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Volunteer & Mentor Center is a program of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Loaned Executives Needed

Donate your professional expertise to help create positive change in our community.  United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is recruiting Loaned Executives to serve as account managers during its annual campaign. After comprehensive training, United Way assigns Loaned Executives to support workplace giving campaigns in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties.  Loaned Executives utilize their professional experience to assist with the development and execution of employee campaigns and make presentations to United Way businesses and groups of employees.

Loaned Executives commit to a minimum of two hours per week between September and December, as well as one four hour training. This is a great opportunity to become involved with a local organization striving for lasting change in our community, as well as an opportunity to develop your professional network and enhance your communication and presentation skills.

For more information, contact Cyndi Astley, campaign director for United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley at (503) 363-1651 or by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).