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UNITED WAY AND STANISLAUS COUNTY STAFF GIVE BACK
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On January 28th the VolunteerCenter of United Way, in partnership with Stanislaus County CEO Office, celebrated 11 years of its successful mentoring program.
The program, "Stanislaus  County Employee Mentor Program" connects Stanislaus County employees with students at four school sites throughout our community - Shackelford, John Muir, Fairview, and Catherine Everett.
Mentors volunteer their lunch time to meet with the children to provide a caring and nurturing environment which assists them with their academic skills.
On Janua ry 28th, the children and mentors gathered for "Mentors Deserve a Day at the Beach" with more than 148 people in attendance. The themed event was complete with flower leis and Beach Boy music!
You too can make a difference in the life of a child by calling the VolunteerCenter of United Way at 524-1307 TODAY!!!
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Did you know?
The VolunteerCenter of United Way refers over 3,000 volunteers a year to nonprofit organizations in our community.
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YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK
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The following story is from the Stanislaus Literacy Center (SLC). SLC is a United Way funded program and provides one-to-one tutoring to individuals who want to learn to read and/or prepare to take their GED test.
Because of a learning disability, Stephanie Lee never learned to read very well. She said she charmed her teachers and because she was a good athlete, she was passed from grade to grade."I always maneuvered my way through
situations without being able to read. It's hard being able to
function in society, though, and not be able to read.."
There were three things which motivated Lee to seek help with her reading. The most powerful of the motivations were her three grandsons, ages 6, 7 and 8. "When my oldest baby kept asking me why I couldn't read better, I knew I needed to get help. I also couldn't help him with his homework and he'd say, 'You should know this, you are grown, how come you don't know this?"
The second motivation for Lee was wanting to obtain a GED. "The only kind of work I've ever been able to do because of my reading disability is manual labor and now my body is worn out from it," she said. She explained how she would get temporary jobs in warehouses doing heavy lifting and have a friend or co-worker fill out her paperwork. It was the only job she could do without reading, she said. "I really want to be able to read well enough to pass my GED and then be able to go on to college." Lee is well on her way to this goal. When she started being tutored two years ago, her reading level was about 2nd grade. She's now reading at a 9th grade level.
The third motivation for Lee was reading her Bible. She said she had a friend at church who gave her the Bible on tape which helped but she wanted to be able to read it for herself.
"Now I can read my Bible and I'm also able to fill out forms at the school or the doctor. I use to always have to ask for help, but now I can do it myself. It's such a joy also to be able to read the mail when it comes too," Lee said.
Lee said she's been empowered by knowing there are other people in the world who struggle with reading. After attending a six-month Adult Learner Leadership Institute for adult literacy students in Northern California she was empowered to share her story and help others think about the need for literacy. Now she is leading the institute in Modesto, has spoken on behalf of the Stanislaus Literacy Center, and serves on United Way's Income: Crisis to Stability Council.
Special thank you to Karen Williams at the Stanislaus Literacy Center for writing this article. More information on the Stanislaus Literacy Center can be found at www.readingworks.net
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"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."
Mother Teresa
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12TH ANNUAL BOWL-A-THON BENEFITING UNITED WAY OF THE MOTHER LODE
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Saturday, March 27th 2010 will be the 12th Annual United Way of the Mother Lode Bowl-A-Thon!
Three Bowling Sessions: 9 AM, 11 AM or 1 PM
Black Oak Lanes
Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne
3 Sessions - 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Recognize your employees and support your community through United Way! Sponsor United Way's Annual Bowl-A-Thon and give team registrations as a reward to your employees! This is a great family-friendly event. All proceeds benefit United Way Partner Agencies in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties!
To sign-up or reserve a time for your team,
call 209-928-9419
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GIVE.
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Your local United Way of Stanislaus County earns a donation every time you do a search with GoodSearch.com
About a penny per search is donated to United Way of Stanislaus every time you search the internet.
It's an easy and effective way to give, every day, all year long!
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VOLUNTEER LOVE
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Be sure to mark your calendars for United Way's Volunteer Recognition Event & Campaign Finale on Thursday, May 27th.
If you know of a United Way volunteer worthy of being recognized at this event, please let us know by nominating him or her for the Bette Belle Smith Campaigner of the Year Award.
Forms and information are here.
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Call 2-1-1
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Does someone you know need food, clothing, counseling, utility assistance, senior services, etc???
You
can call 2-1-1 anytime, day or night to get the HELP you
need....
GET
CONNECTED. GET ANSWERS.
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ADVOCATE.
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Health care: Is Schwarzenegger turning his back on the children?
Governor Schwarzenegger's newest budget proposal makes a 180-degree shift from his previous support of CHIPRA and
California's version of the program, Healthy Families. His latest budget threatens to eliminate the Healthy Families
program - completely - if California does not get additional money from the federal government to help us out of our
budget woes, resulting in approximately 950,000 children losing health coverage. Read more here.
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VOLUNTEER.
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Many nonprofits in our county are in need of volunteers on a daily basis.
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Calendar of Events
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March 27 - United Way of the Mother Lode 12th Annual Bowl-A-Thon at Black Oak Casino
May 27 - United Way Volunteer Recognition Event & Campaign Finale
June 3 - Wine Tasting Event at the Modesto Nuts
June 19 - United Way Day/Hometown Heroes at the Modesto Nuts
July - Modesto Nuts Charity Golf Tournament for United Way at Stevinson Ranch
August 15 - Neighbors in Health
September 23 - United Way Campaign Kickoff Games at the Modesto Nuts
September 27 - Red, White & Tuna comedy benefit
October 20 - Power of the Purse Women's Luncheon
November 6 - Turkey Bowl at McHenry Bowl
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BE AN ADVOCATE
Forward this eNewsletter
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