United Way of Hall County March Newsletter

	United Way of Hall County
		March 2010

Greetings!

Spring Forward!

It's that time of the year again - time to move the clocks, enjoy longer days and outdoor activities, and to "wrap up" our 2009 Campaign and recognize our community's generosity.

Last week, United Way of Hall County celebrated how our community LIVES UNITED. Hall County's willingness to GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER enabled United Way to continue the "gift" of improving lives. The celebration included the announcement of our financial goal being met and surpassed. Thank you for the "gift" of giving!

When we launched the giving campaign back in September, United Way also asked the community to accept a goal of ACTION. Volunteers responded and have made an impact with their "gift" of time all over Hall County. Because of this action, three Born Learning Trails were installed, over 600 children had school supplies provided to start school, two parent forums to build awareness and address the drug problems among Hall County's youth were held (read our two superintendents' perspectives about the forums below in the "We're ONE Community"), and Latino youth had adult mentors who provided skill development. The spirit of volunteerism was recognized and celebrated at the luncheon.

As is true with most organizations, our success is directly related to the people that provide leadership and work hard every day to fulfill our mission. United Way is fortunate to have many wonderful and dedicated volunteers. But as 2009 wraps up and we transition to this year, I want to mention one individual. The guidance and commitment that our outgoing Board Chair, Jack Keener, has given United Way of Hall County is hard to express in mere words. For the past ten years, Jack has given of his time and talents through serving on the campaign cabinet, the board of directors, three terms as treasurer and most recently, two terms as Board Chair. He has given steadfast support, wise words, and direction. Thank you Jack!

Moving ahead within the staff of United Way, we welcome Joy Simpson Griffin as VP of Resource Development.
Joy brings a strong hometown spirit along with a heart for giving. We're excited to have Joy join our United Way family.

2009 was an exciting year and we thank the many people who contributed to our success. We look to our future with confidence and know that those who GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER will continue to make Hall County such a great place!

Jackie Wallace
President & CEO
United Way of Hall County



Uniting people, organizations, and resources to improve lives in Hall County.

We're ONE Community.

United Way of Hall County partners with the Drug Free Coalition (www.faceitpeople.org), because it touches the focus areas of Children & Youth, Crisis Intervention, and Health. Recently, the Hall County School System and the Gainesville City Schools partnered with the Drug Free Coalition to sponsor two parent forums to openly discuss the growing drug issues in our community. These parent forums gave parents an opportunity to come together to express their concerns, ask questions, and receive answers.

Will Schofield, Hall County School Superintendent, and Merrianne Dyer, Gainesville City School Superintendent, believe we are one community and drugs are affecting all of our kids.

"It was important for Gainesville City Schools to sponsor the forum because our goal is to bring anything that might keep our children from realizing their potential, to lead a healthy happy life, and reach their goals, to the forefront. Drug and alcohol abuse is a "killer of dreams," said Dr. Dyer.

Similarly, Mr. Schofield believes when he took the oath to be superintendent, he began looking at the 26,000 kids in the county system like he does his own three children." This message is too important to not keep out there," said Mr. Schofield. He believes it was so important that the Hall County system produced a short video summarizing the Drug Awareness Forums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIIiGNQGh-g

Take 7 minutes to watch this important and emotional video. In it you will listen to parents, a student and members of our community (police, mental health professionals, attorneys, and school administrators) who face this epidemic every day.

These parent forums brought about awareness - awareness of a problem that is not just in our public schools, it's not just in our private schools, it's not just in our home schools - it's a problem within our ONE community.