SCHOOL TOOLS for Cool Kids

July 18th - August 14th

 It's that time again!  United Way of Hall County and your local Publix Super Markets are partnering to collect and distribute school supplies for students in Hall County, grades Kindergarten - 12.  The School Tools for Cool Kids drive will run from July 18th - August 14th.  This year's event is being coordinated by United Way's Young Leaders Society.  

HOW YOU CAN LIVE IT:

Purchase school supplies and drop off at the United Way of Hall County office or a location listed below.

-- or --

While shopping at your local Publix Super Markets, simply add a pre-packaged school supply bag to your grocery cart and Publix will deliver it for you.

Drop off sites:

United Way of Hall County 

527 Oak Street, Gainesville

Community Bank and Trust (E.E. Butler Pkwy.)

Corner Cottage

Frames Unique

Gainesville City Fire Departments

(Pine St., Piedmont Rd., Nancy Creek Rd., Memorial Park Dr.)

Peach State Bank & Trust

Saul's

The Crystal Plate

United Community Bank (all branches)

Wells Fargo Advisors

Hall County Publix Super Markets locations:

Thompson Bridge Road

Dawsonville Hwy.

Oakwood at Robson Crossing

Spout Springs Road (at Hog Mountain Road)

Spout Springs (at Duncan Corners)

Friendship Road

In addition to these collection sites, many local businesses are hosting school supply drives with their employees.  If you are interested how to host a

school supply drive at your business please contact Joy Griffin at jgriffin@unitedwayhallcounty.org or 678.989.5333. 

Click here for a suggested list of school supplies.  

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

Fieldale Farms is having a dock sale on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Purchase wholesale chicken from Fieldale Farms and the proceeds benefit United Way of Hall County.  Perfect for grilling, family reunions, holidays and more!  

Pre-sale orders will be will be accepted on orders of 25 cases or more. Call 770-536-3899 ext. 3308 to place orders or for more details. Order must be placed 24 hours in advance of pickup.  All pre-sale orders must be received before 4:00pm Thursday, July 28th and picked up by Friday, July 29th. 

Wells Fargo ranks #1 for community support nationwide

Wells Fargo clinched the top spot at United Way as the largest workplace community support campaign in the United States for 2010. Wells Fargo team members pledged $38 million through their annual Community Support and United Way Campaign. Combined with other year-round donations to nonprofits and schools, team member donations exceeded $55.3 million during the year.

Along with financial support, more than 39,000 Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.3 million hours in 2010, providing financial education, building houses, mentoring youth, cleaning up parks and neighborhoods, and much more. The company also invested $219 million in grants to support 19,000 nonprofits.

In Hall County, Wells Fargo is a leading supporter, contributing over $13,000 to the annual campaign. Wells Fargo also sponsors local billboards and team members serve on the United Way of Hall County board of directors, campaign cabinet and Young Leaders Society steering committee.

Congratulations and thank you Wells Fargo.

I DON'T JUST WEAR THE SHIRT, I LIVE IT

It is not enough to believe this notion, or represent it on your person, we all need to get out there and act.

Young Leaders Society (YLS) is working hard this summer to promote and manage the School Tools for Cool Kids school supply drive but we also have some fun and exciting events planned for the fall.

LEAD 

We are excited to announce that our September Luncheon with Leaders event will be held on September 20, 2011  at the Governor's Mansion. YLS members will join Governor Nathan Deal for lunch followed by a tour of the Governors mansion. More details to come.

SERVE

We are looking for volunteers to help with the Fiedale Dock Sale. Please contact Joy Griffin if you would like to help with this fun event on Saturday, July 30th from 8:00 - 12:00.

Pictured left to right Micheal John Lovell  and Trey Wood

"I "Live It" by making United Way a priority in my life," says Michael John Lovell. He not only serves as the Chair of Young Leader Society but he also volunteers his time on the Campaign Cabinet. Under Michael John's leadership the Young Leaders Society is managing the School Tools for Cool Kids school supply drive this year.

Trey Wood, project leader for School Tools for Cool Kids says, "as a Young Leader I have been able to truly "Live It" through various community projects and am honored to be the project leader for such an important initiative - to help kids start school ready to learn."

2011 National Night Out

National Night Out 2011 is sponsored nationally by Target and co-sponsored locally by Memorial Park Funeral Homes. This is the 5^th year these two companies have partnered to bring this event to Gainesville/Hall County.

"America's Night Out Against Crime" includes different law enforcement agencies, fire services, medical transport services, public assistance services and a host of other exhibitors displaying valuable information. There will also be emergency vehicles on hand for everyone to view. The purpose of the evening is to build community spirit and strengthen the relationship between the public and those dedicated to keeping us safe.

This year's event will be held Tuesday August 2, 2011 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Gainesville Target Store located on Shallow ford Road. 

Space for exhibitors is still available so come out and join United Way and many others! Each exhibitor is provided a 10x10 space, a table and 2-chairs. All exhibitors are asked to provide a 10x10 tent.

Annual fundraiser 

Order Your Tickets Today!

The Guest House is offering a night at the beach without leaving Gainesville.

The Guest House's Calabash Party offers seafood and beach music at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Elks Club on Riverside Drive.

The annual fundraiser has a beach party theme with a variety of seafood dishes and classic music by the Diversity Band. There will be a silent auction with artwork, jewelry, golf packages and vacation trips up for bid. All benefit the Guest House.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by contacting the Guest House at 770-535-1487 or  Rachel@theguesthouse.org 

All proceeds will benefit  

The Guest House  

Hall-Dawson Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program needs Volunteers

The Hall-Dawson CASA Program is a non-profit organization with the mission to ensure that abused and neglected children have the right to a safe and permanent home.  They are in need of more CASA Volunteers due to their increasing case loads.  You can be that voice! CASA provides trained, screened and supervised volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children requiring court intervention.

You can help these children by volunteering your time. Volunteers average between 5-20 hours a month. To qualify, prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years old, consent to a criminal records check, fingerprinting, supply four references and participate in a 40-hour training program.

Their next training class will begin August 9^th @ 5:30-8:30 PM   and continues for 8 consecutive weeks every Tuesday afternoon, located at the Little House; 603 Washington St.

Please roll up your sleeve to combat child abuse.  You can get an application form and more information from their website at www.halldawsoncasa.org.  or call 770-531-1964 or email casaofhall@bellsouth.net.You may just save the life of a child!