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| Outstanding Volunteers Recognized
United Way of Larimer County's 2010 State of the Community luncheon honored some of Larimer County's most outstanding volunteers.
 The Senior Volunteer Excellence Award was given to Marlene Schilling who has volunteered with Read Aloud Loveland for seventeen years. Schilling is not only dedicated to reading aloud to children, but also to encouraging parents to read aloud to their children.
 Arvind Karwan was recognized for his dedication to Crossroads Safehouse with the Volunteer Excellence Award. Karwan's six-year devotion has ed him to participate in group and one-on-one programs with residential youth, as well as initiating Crossroads' Safe Pals program.
The Outstanding Volunteer Group Award was presented to the Fort Collins Sertoma Club: Volunteers of America RSVP Program for its work in improving the lives of so many Larimer County residents.
 For his hard work at the Larimer Humane Society, Tallon Nightwalker was honored with the Linda Nerger Youth Volunteer Excellence Award. Beginning his service at age six, Nightwalker has gone from cleaning cages to now feeding animals and providing medical treatment.
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| DONOR SPOTLIGHT
DARCY MCCLURE
Why do you support United Way of Larimer County?
I support United Way of Larimer County (UWLC) because we all need a helping hand at one time or another in life. UWLC ensures that availability of that help in my community.
What has meant the most to you about your involvement with United Way?
The privilege of working with the dedicated people who provide services through local agencies has by far meant the most to me.
What does "community impact" mean to you?
Community impact means wisely and efficiently investing donor funds into services and initiatives that address immediate needs as well as long term solutions to poverty in Larimer County. | |
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BECAUSE OF YOU
GEORGE IS DETERMINED TO WALK AGAIN
 A year and a half ago, George's life was dramatically altered. He went into the hospital to undergo an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP), an x-ray to investigate a supposed kidney stone; however, he experienced a severe allergic reaction to the contrast dye in the process. "I went into a full anaphylactic shock," George said. With his temperature reaching 108 degrees and dangerous blood pressure levels, George experienced a series of strokes.
After weeks in rehab without much improvement, George's diagnosis was critical polyneuropathy, meaning his nervous system had shut down. George remained in the hospital for six months before he was discharged.
George turned to Elderhaus, a United Way of Larimer County funded program, dedicated to supporting adults with special needs and empowering their caregivers. Due to the trauma, he is unable to walk.
To George, the most important aspect of Elderhaus is the support. "You need the support here," he expressed. "It has really turned into a big family."
Through Elderhaus, George is able to participate in a variety of programs which allow him occupational therapy, transportation and modified daily activities. George is now primarily mobile through a wheelchair and has been making significant progression towards his final goal: Being able to walk again.
"It's a slow progression but with their help here, it's keeping me going," said George.
Your donations to United Way of Larimer County impact our community. | |
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THE ECONOMICS FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS
FOCUS OF THIS YEAR'S STATE OF THE COMMUNITY EVENT United Way of Larimer County's 2010 State of the Community luncheon celebrated the positive, sustainable changes being made within Larimer County in regard to homelessness and poverty.
"I am very proud of what we were able to do within the last year," said Gordan Thibedeau, president and CEO, United Way of Larimer County.
The idea, if a community works together it can overcome enormous obstacles, is proving to be true in Denver. Mayor John Hickenlooper, the keynote speaker, talked about the "Business Case for Ending Homelessness" at this year's event. His initiative, Denver's Road Home, is a living plan to end homelessness by 2020 in the city.
"We had to come up with a collaborative, integrated approach, while also keeping people accountable," Hickenlooper said. "Because it is not just a social problem, it is an economic problem." Denver has cut chronic homelessness by 60 percent.
In Larimer County, homelessness is increasing. Bryce Hach, Director of Homeward 2020, a local initiative focused on ending homelessness in Fort Collins, reminded the crowd that people who are homeless in our community are also the citizens of our community.
United Way of Larimer County is focused on addressing poverty through systemic change which includes the homeless through its 12 Pathways Past Poverty goals. |
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| | | | COMMUNITY COLLABORATOR OF THE YEAR
 Glorie Magrum, the executive director of Loveland's House of Neighborly Service, was named the 2010 Community Collaborator of the Year for her work with the homeless in Loveland. Magrum collaborated with the city, business leaders, local churches and community volunteers to provide overnight shelter for Loveland's homeless during inclement weather. | | | | |
 |  | |  | | WE SINCERELY THANK YOU! | | |
This past year was tough for so many in our community. Thank you to you, our donors and supporters, for helping people when they were in a time of need. This past year's fundraising campaign focused on meeting three key community needs: basic and emergency services, helping people achieve self-sufficiency, and long-term systemic change to reduce need in the future.
The businesses, community leaders, and individuals who gave to make this year's campaign a success deserve a big thank you and much recognition. Our Cornerstone Partners, who underwrite all of United Way's administrative costs make it possible for 100 percent of your donation to go back into the Larimer County community.
Our mission is to "cultivate and mobilize community resources to change and saves lives." Our vision is to lead the community to meet the needs of those in need. Because of your support, we were able to help more than 70,000 local people this past year.
With your support, United Way raised $7.5 million dollars in individual contributions, grants, leveraged dollars and corporate gifts - a two percent increase over the previous year. We have a history of generous supporters. This year proved once again that you care about our citizens and supporting the incredible agencies and programs that provide services when our own people need them. Thank you! | |  | |  | |
| | | | A LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE ACHIEVED FOR LARIMER COUNTY
SISTER MARY ALICE MURPHY CENTER FOR HOPE CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR
The Center for Hope saw more homeless and near homeless people than expected since it opened its doors on Mar ch 2, 2009. The Center helped more than 3,000 individuals who sought services in one year.
"You know when you are having a dream and you don't want to wake up, that's what this feels like," said Sister Mary Alice Murphy, a long time advocate for the homeless. "This Center for Hope is like a dream come true," she told the crowd, as her eyes welled with tears.
The Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope was a community collaboration initiated by United Way of Larimer County, and is currently managed by Larimer Center for Mental Health. It's named after Sister Mary Alice who opened the first soup kitchen in Fort Collins in the 1980's.
When the Center opened a year ago, there were just three full-time staff members, now there are six. As Zach Penland, the Center's program director, explained, they expected to serve about 30-35 people a day and have actually seen more than 80 people a day coming through their doors.
The Center is unique because it offers one stop shopping for services for people who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness. The concept behind the Center is to help people with the underlying causes of their issues and work on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.
Thank you for making this much needed Center for Hope a reality. | | | | |
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