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United Community Ministries
Community Connection
September 2010 |
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Dear Friend, 
It would be easy to be daunted by the news these days. Just in the last few weeks we have found that one in seven Americans is currently living in poverty. What's more, giving to America's top charities fell by a whopping 11% last year. Both of these statistics are telling indications of where we as a country are today.
While these numbers are important, they only are measures of where we are, not who we are. The essential American spirit of giving, of helping one's neighbor-that cannot be measured by any statistic. I see it every day through the donations that get sent our way, through the client in the parking lot who stops to assist another client in need, and through the senior citizen on a fixed income who tells me, "I wish I could give more."
That spirit, and the spirit of hope that we can give to those in need, are what keep me going. Thank you for your support of time, talents, and treasure. And thank you for your caring spirit. Together, we can stand up to poverty, hunger and homelessness in our community and make a real difference in the lives of so many in need.
With gratitude,
Cynthia N. Hull
Executive Director
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 Thank You for Your Support, Battelle! | |
"We're highly committed to the communities where we live and work," says Dr. Joyce Johnson, Vice President of Health Sciences at Battelle. And UCM is tremendously grateful for that commitment! In the last year, Battelle has donated more than $20,000 to support UCM's programs and services. "UCM is striving to make a difference in the community and we want to support that work," says Johnson.
As the largest independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management, National Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.2 billion in global research and development annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and one international nuclear laboratory in the United Kingdom.
Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science and math education.
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| Help Wanted: Holidays Quickly Approaching! |  Halloween is this weekend, which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner and in no time at all the winter holidays will be here!
Each year, UCM helps families in need to have a happy holiday season by providing toys and other gifts for more than 800 children through our holiday Share the Joy program--and your help is what makes this program possible!
Please consider supporting the Share the Joy program by:
- Donating new, unwrapped toys for children aged infant to 15 years--gift cards are also welcome
- Volunteering in the Holiday Shop at UCM, where parents browse and "shop" for items for their children
- Hosting a gift drive at your church, business or civic organization
- Donating holiday food items such as turkeys, hams, stuffing, etc.
For more information about helping out with the Share the Joy program, please contact Christine Fiske at 703-768-7106 ext 328 or christine.fiske@ucmagency.org.
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| There's Still Time to Support the Walk! |
 | | NOVA's Alexandria Campus held a mini-walk to benefit UCM on September 23rd. |
There is still time to join in the fun as UCM takes part in the 2010 Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon. Won't you help us reach our goals to have 3,000 people register to walk for us and to raise $140,000? There are two important ways that you can help us reach our goals:
- Donate funds to sponsor children in local schools whose families cannot afford the registration fee. Just $15 sponsors a child or $375 sponsors a classroom of children.
- Join a mini-walk taking place in the community in the next couple of weeks. You can find a list of them on our website: http://www.ucmagency.org/HelptheHomeless.html.
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| Choose UCM for Your CFC or United Way Designation | |
Do you have a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) or United Way campaign going on in your office this fall? If you do, we hope that you will choose to designate a one-time or recurring gift to UCM through these campaigns. UCM's CFC number is 37839 and our United Way number is 8199.
Giving through your workplace is an easy way to make a difference without having to get out your checkbook or credit card. If you make a recurring gift, you can choose to have funds deducted each pay period or every other pay period...the choice is up to you! It is a simple way to support UCM and a huge help to us. Funds from the CFC and United Way are invaluably important to funding the programs and services UCM provide to help individuals and families in need get back on their feet. When it comes time to fill out your CFC or United Way forms, make sure to remember UCM!
 
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| An Organization You Can Trust |
At UCM, $.94 of every dollar you donate goes directly to programs that help people in need. How we use your money is as important to us as it is to you.
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