LIVE UNITED... what does that mean to you? Well, great lines from books & movies help shape our perception of the world. Consequently, when I hear LIVE UNITED, I think of two great lines:

D'Artagna and his three Musketeer companions follow their motto: "One for all and all for one!"

The Madonna character in the movie "A League of Their Own" says "My name's Mae -that's more than a name - it's an attitude!"

My point: LIVE UNITED is more than a 'brand.' As with any motto, it must be internalized and then demonstrated in our actions and our words. Thus, "it's not just a name - but an attitude" that prompts us to always think and act with the needs of others in mind. Remember - our success comes about only when the rest of our community succeeds.

Be "part of the solution!"

 
You can GIVE - donations through payroll deductions or online using our button.

You can ADVOCATE - talk about United Way with your friends and colleagues.

You can VOLUNTEER - non-profits can all use some of your time and talent. 

David was a client of the Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross last year. Like all Red Cross clients, David's association with the Red Cross was a result of personal tragedy. David had lost his trailer home and all of his possessions in a major fire.

Mt. Baker Red Cross Responder

 A local Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to the fire. DATs are made up exclusively of volunteers. These dedicated individuals respond to those in need at all hours of the day or night and in the most adverse conditions. The help that they provide to the client is free and the compassion that they show is profound but always professional. DAT volunteer caseworkers are among the more than 400 volunteers who serve the families and businesses of Skagit Valley and Whatcom County.

Red Cross volunteer comforts client

David immediately received extensive help from the Disaster Action Team. This included hotel accommodations, money to buy clothes, food and essentials, and referrals to other organizations for additional services. The team also helped him locate a trailer similar to the one that he had lost. Stacy Rice, the Chapter's Emergency Services Director, met with David on the last day of his recovery as he was buying his new trailer. "He was exhausted, excited, and ready to rebuild his home," Rice recalls. "During our meeting I asked him how his service from the Red Cross had been." Rice clearly remembers David's response.

With tears in his eyes, he began to express his incredible gratitude for the generosity of our organization and the kindness and professionalism of our volunteers. This was his first contact with the Red Cross and he was amazed. He had no idea the extent of our services and was extremely grateful. David went on to describe how he had become a "hermit" of late and had basically lost faith in humanity. After the fire and the outpouring of support from the Red Cross and others, he had come back to life. He was interacting with society again, socializing with friends, and had a new outlook on life in general. Once he was back on his feet, he vowed to volunteer with the Red Cross as a way to give back.

Stacy Rice, Emergency Services Director

David's story is just one out of many and is an example of the work that the Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross does every day. "I love my job," Rice concluded. "We do amazing work and accomplish amazing things. We see the best of people in the worst of times, and clients like David make it all worthwhile."

 

 United Way estimates the average value of a volunteer hour is $20.85.

US Bank employees put in 72 hours of service framing a home in Sedro-Woolley for Skagit Habitat for Humanity

Director's Message

LIVE UNITED

Community Impact

David's Story

GIVE

Campaign

ADVOCATE

Early Learning

VOLUNTEER

Days of Caring 

Debbie Allen of Habitat for Humanity explains what LIVE UNITED means to her.

The 2011 United Way of Skagit County Campaign kicked off its fall fundraising efforts by introducing our community to United Way's LIVE UNITED message to come together to create lasting, sustainable change in people's lives. While the primary focus of our campaign continues to be on raising funds to support our 30 Partner Agencies, we are also encouraging people to consider giving their time and talents to organizations that serve the community.

Our campaign video features vignettes about three United Way partner agencies including The Gentry House in Anacortes, The Concrete Food Bank and The YMCA's Teen Oasis Shelter. Weaved in are personal stories from volunteers and agency staff about how United Way brings people and resources together to improve our communities. 

Shell Puget Sound Refinery leads the way with $200,000 towards MORE THAN A MILLION dollars in community investment to create sustainable, positive change in people's lives in Skagit County.

United Way's 2011 Campaign Goal is to  meet or exceed our goal of $1 million dollars. Our Campaign Associates are working hard to solicit new donors and also call upon our local businesses and organizations to participate in workplace giving campaigns. This year, we're pleased to add LabCorps, Enterprise Car Rentals and Car Toys to our list of participating organizations. 

JC Penny employees LIVE UNITED

Preschoolers enjoy their calendars at Burlington Little School.

Thanks to generous printing sponsorship by The Boeing Company than 2200 preschool children in Skagit County received fun and kid-friendly calendars. These calendars are designed to help prepare four year olds for success in kindergarten through everyday, no-cost activities that four-year olds can enjoy with their parents and caregivers. United Way of Skagit County is one of 14 counties that received calendars - in English and in Spanish - from The Boeing Company.

Debra Lancaster, Executive Director of United Way of Skagit County said: "It has been a pleasure to get these beautiful learning tools into the hands of the families of Skagit Preschoolers. We know that parents are a child's first and most important teacher, and we also know that children learn through play and exploration. These calendars provide easy-to-implement activities that fit into a family's busy daily routine and also help get children ready for school. Whether it's pointing out shapes while walking to the park or practicing skills like zipping on their own coat, these activities create learning moments that parents can do with their children."

United Way partnered with Skagit County Community Action Agency to distribute the calendars along other information and activities for children and parents as well as a storybook - all donated by several companies, including The Boeing Company.