We hope you're enjoying your summer. September will be here before we know it, and with it comes United Way's official campaign kick-off and the 21st Annual Day of Caring. Read on for info about some changes to this year's event and for our monthly news round-up. Thanks for helping bring unity to our community.
Day of Caring volunteers pack food for home delivery to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program.
Day of Caring volunteer sign-up deadline approaching quickly
"Extremely rewarding." "Glad I could help." "Can't wait to do it again." Every year, we get feedback like this from Day of Caring volunteers who want to give back to our community. We're asking volunteers who want to be part of this year's event on September 11 to complete their online registration by this Friday, August 3.
Company coordinators should download a packet with information about the event and volunteer sign-up process. Individuals who work for companies that participate in Day of Caring should connect with their company coordinator prior to registering online.
NEW: Volunteers will go directly to their project sites on the morning of September 11 and are invited to an appreciation barbecue at St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church from 3:30 to 5:30 PM that day. UPS, the lead event sponsor, will park its "Flame Truck" at the church lot for collection of non-perishable food, diapers, and other new, personal care items for distribution to local agencies. We will post more info to the Day of Caring page as it becomes available.
Preventing substance abuse requires community commitment
Donna Arias, Beyond Influence regional coordinator
Did you know that the injury rate for drinkers among high school athletes is nearly double that for non-drinkers? Or that one night of drinking equals two weeks of lost training effect?
Beyond Influence, a substance abuse prevention program of United Way, recently worked with several area school districts to send coaches and athletic directors to the Life of An Athlete training, which teaches the immediate impact of drinking and drug abuse on athletic performance. Read the blog post by Beyond Influence regional coordinator Donna Arias.
All-Stars turn out at Holman Stadium for United Way Night
Thanks to everyone who supported United Way Night at the Futures Collegiate All-Star Game in Nashua on July 26. Dozens of United Way supporters took the field before the game to welcome the Girls Inc. Girl of the Year from Nashua, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. See our blog post with photo gallery for scenes from the evening.
Learning to make healthy decisions -- one teen at a time
Betsy Abrahams, executive director of The Youth Council
Thinking back to your teenage years, did you ever make a bad decision? Learning to make decisions is part of growing up. The Youth Council teaches teens to choose healthy decisions over the often-tempting unhealthy ones.
Read Betsy Abrahams' blog post about the agency's effective court diversion program, which consistently receives high marks from United Way community investment volunteers.
Coming soon . . .
Watch your inbox and social media channels for news about an exciting way you can help get United Way's campaign off to a great start through Facebook.
