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United in Action Volunteers Helping Throughout Capital Region! 
At United Way, we know that when people work together, we can accomplish great things. Our 2011 United in Action (UIA) projects are perfect examples of what we can achieve together. UIA is our way of bringing together volunteers and resources to work on projects that make life better for people and communities. In 2011, United Way is taking on more projects than ever through United in Action: - We kicked off the UIA season by joining with the Tri-City ValleyCats on their '4 in 24' initiative. On April 15, UIA volunteers cleared and prepared little league baseball fields in Albany and Ballston Spa for use this season.
- On May 20, UIA volunteers built a greenhouse from the ground up at Parsons Child and Family Center in Albany.
On June 3 and 4, United in Action volunteers completed four major projects: - Farano Center Project in Albany: United In Action volunteers painted, restored furniture and decorated several rooms lived in by children waiting for foster care families.
- Schoharie Community Garden Project: Volunteers cleaned up the community garden (which they constructed last year!), hung signs and expanded the playground area.
- Steinmetz Children's Garden Project in Schenectady: As Yates Magnet School near Steinmetz Park changes to a neighborhood school, United in Action volunteers, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the City of Schenectady and the community created a children's garden that will be sustained by the neighborhood.
- Camp Lovejoy in Altamont: Volunteers prepared this summer camp, run by the Schenectady Boys and Girls Club, for the new season. Volunteers cleaned the amphitheater and High Adventure areas, and planted a vegetable garden for the children to care for and harvest.
Visit our Facebook 'United in Action 2011' photo album to see our UIA volunteers at work! You do not need a Facebook account to view photos. Special thanks to our United in Action sponsors, volunteers and supporters! To learn more about United in Action, click here. |
| What's new with your local United Way? |
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Dear Friends:
For nearly 90 years, your local United Way has served as a vehicle for people to turn their compassion into results. Because of our long history of serving our communities, United Way has a long-term view of the conditions that affect our region.
United Way is able to intervene and prevent problems from occurring in the first place. However, we are challenged by decades of negative development in our communities. The issues today are much more complex than when we began this work in 1924.
This past month, our board of directors approved priority focus on early childhood education. Click here to read more about how United Way's work in education, and how you can get involved!
Thank you for caring. Please continue to LIVE UNITED!
Best regards, Kathy Pelham, CEO |
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CA$H Coalition Returns $18 Million to Capital Region Tax Filers!
 Each year, United Way works through the CA$H Coalition of the Greater Capital Region on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
The VITA program provides free state and federal tax preparation and filing services by IRS-certified volunteers for people and households with an annual income below $49,000.
Every year, VITA volunteers are able to help greater numbers of hardworking Greater Capital Region residents access valuable tax credits and savings. This year, VITA volunteers helped return more than $18 million in tax credits and savings to 13,165 tax filers in five counties!
United Way thanks all of our skilled VITA volunteers, CA$H Coalition partners, United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region call center information and referral specialists, and corporate sponsors. To learn more about the CA$H Coalition, click here to visit our website.
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Nearly 400 United Way Supporters Attend Community Campaign Celebration
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GE employees at United Way's 2011 Community Campaign Celebration
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On May 5, nearly 400 local United Way supporters came together to celebrate the volunteers and donors behind the 2010 Workplace Campaign.
The support of our local community is vital to the health of the Greater Capital Region. Because of United Way's generous local donors, we are able to give more than $5 million to vital nonprofit programs this year. A portion of each ticket sold to the Community Campaign Celebration benefitted United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region, a free telephone information and referral service that connects people in need with local health and human service agencies. Thanks to our biggest-ever Campaign Celebration crowd, we raised more than $3,500 for the 2-1-1 program! Special thanks to our Community Campaign Celebration sponsors: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Pioneer Bank, Digital Page and Price Chopper. |
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Five Second Survey
What do you think are the biggest issues facing kids today? Click here and tell us!
Last time, we asked: Are economic conditions affecting the way you support your community? Click here to see what people had to say! Special thanks to all who participated.
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United Way Stands with Those Affected by Recent Disasters
Our hearts and thoughts are with the people and families who have been affected by the recent severe weather and flooding throughout the United States.
To learn how you can help disaster victims through United Way Worldwide, please click here to visit our blog.
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Young Leaders, a United Way of the Greater Capital Region program, educates, inspires and motivates professionals aged 40 and younger to become the next generation of leaders, volunteers and philanthropists.
Young Leaders encourages professionals to be educated about the community, identify opportunities for United Way activity, and lead solutions.
Click here to learn more about UWGCR's Young Leaders program.
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