| United Way
Greater Duluth |
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 ~ FEBRUARY 2010
|
Campaign Update
Several weeks ago we reported that the annual fundraising campaign was running 25% behind. We have made significant strides since then, but we still have a ways to go.
As we all know, not meeting our goal means that local programs will see cuts in the coming year. Given that, our campaign team is working harder than ever to, at a minimum, match what was raised last year -- a total of $2,100,239. To accomplish this, we need to raise an additional $240,000 before March 1st. With your help, we know it can be done!
If you have not already made a contribution, please consider doing so today. If you have contributed and would like to make an additional gift of $5, $10, $25 or more, please do so. If everyone does just a little, we can achieve our goal.
|
Annual Campaign Celebration
 Please join us for United Way of Greater Duluth's Campaign Celebration to be held March 2nd, 2010 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center DECC (Lake Superior Ballroom). Final campaign totals will be announced and all donors will be celebrated.
Cost: $12 per person ($90 for table of 8)
Parking: $4 per vehicle (or walk the skywalk)
Meal Choice:
Option 1:
Pan Fried Walleye with
Parsley Buttered Baby Red Potatoes
Medley of Green Beans, Yellow Beans and Carrots
Freshly Baked Roll and Creamery Butter
Option 2:
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce
Served with the Vegetable of the Day
Please RSVP by Friday, February 26, 2010
|
Area Businesses Encouraged to Honor Local Volunteers
 United Way's Volunteer Center, an affiliate of the HandsOn network, would like to thank area businesses participating in the upcoming 2010 Purple Ribbon Volunteer Recognition Event, to be celebrated April 18-24 during National Volunteer Week.
Many local businesses have already signed up to offer discounts and incentives to volunteers wearing purple ribbons as a way to thank them for their outstanding contributions to our community.
Every hour that a volunteer gives in service is worth $20.25, and with more than 5,000 being honored by local agencies for their contribution that is quite an economic impact.
Please help us celebrate area volunteers and their contributions by offering discounts and incentives. Interested businesses wishing to participate are encouraged to contact HandsOn Greater Duluth Volunteer Center at 218-726-4794. |
|
'Give Kids a Smile Day' |
 As part of the Minnesota Dental Association's 'Give Kids A Smile Day', local private dentists have volunteered their services to help kids in the community who don't get regular dental care due to lack of insurance and other barriers.
Parents in need of dental care for their children can get a free screening and dental treatment on February 5th and 6th by calling United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-543-7709. Appointments are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. |
|
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
|
A BENEFIT FOR IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Date: Thursday, May 6
Time: 5 pm
Place: Spirit Mountain Chalet
Plan to attend this extraordinary event featuring a silent purse auction, tapas dinner, wine tasting and noted national speaker Judith Viorst. Proceeds benefit Imagination Library, an early literacy program that puts books into the hands of young children.
Speaker: Noted author and poet Judith Viorst will present "From Single to Seventy" - an exploration of the journey we all take from kid to grown-up, from innocent to experienced, from young to not-so-young.
Tickets: $45 or $50 after April 29th
Learn more about this extraordinary event! |
| United We Can. |
| The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Helps People Get on Their Feet Again.
For some, it seems that no matter how hard they work, they can't get ahead. This was especially true for Julie. Discouraged with nowhere to turn, Julie was homeless with 2 small children. She was working in the retail industry, but was unable to find stable housing because she didn't have the required deposit and first month rent.
Bouncing from shelter to shelter to inexpensive motels, she was unable to break out of this cycle, and was fearful if she would ever be able to provide stable housing for her family.
She turned to Community Action Duluth, a local agency that helps low-income people find the support, resources and relationships they need to help them overcome barriers.
Through their help, encouragement and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, she filed her taxes receiving a refund of $4,000, money she desperately needed. She was able to use the money for the necessary deposit and first month rent to lift her family out of homelessness.
Today Julie has a better job and is on her way to get a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. In her spirit of giving back, today Julie volunteers her time as a tax preparer at Community Action Duluth.
Community Action Duluth is a local non-profit agency with programs funded by United Way of Greater Duluth.
|
Lake Superior Initiative presents:
CEY Capacity-Building Institute
Date: Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: The Inn on Lake Superior
 Join the Lake Superior Initiative in a day-long conference tackling topics that go Beyond the Basics. Hear from experts, leave with the tools you need to continue capacity building into the future! This conference is FREE and open to the community.
Keynote presenter Lori Jacobwith will kickoff the day, followed by workshops on Nonprofit Employment Law, Cause Marketing, and much more.
Register online at www.lakesuperiorinitiative.org/ceyinstitute by February 9th! To learn more about the Lake Superior Initiative, click here. | |
Hot Volunteer Opportunity:
Position: Youth Specialist
As a Youth Specialist, volunteers will assist in various ways during COMPASS afterschool program. Volunteers help provide academic support and tutoring to 1st-5th grade students in areas such as reading, spelling, social studies and math.
Volunteers are also needed to help during the life skills portion of COMPASS and will be asked to act as a support for the staff who is leading the lesson. Lessons focus on health and wellness, creative arts, mentoring, service learning and leadership, and STEM (science, techonology, engineering and math).
Agency: Nettleton COMPASS Program
Dates: Monday-Thursday during the academic school year.
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Commitment: 1 session per week.
Contact Information:Amber Warthesen at 218-940-3017 or Email: amber.warthesen@duluth.k12.mn.us | | |
|
|
Upcoming Dates:
National 2-1-1 Day
February 11th
Annual Campaign Celebration:
March 2, 2010
Details coming soon!
Community Volunteer Fair
April 9th @ The Depot.
Power of the Purse
Nat'l Letter Carrier 'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive
May 8th, 2010 |
February is 'I Love to Read' Month!
Look for a new Big Red Bookshelf coming in late February to the SMDC children's emergency room waiting area. Project partners include, Skyline Rotary and a local Boy Scout working on his Eagle Award, SMDC and the SMDC Children's Volunteer Auxiliary. |
Lunch & Learn:
United Way 2-1-1 welcomes you to bring your lunch and listen to speakers from agencies in our community.
Veteran's Services
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 17th
Time: Noon-1:00
Location: Ordean Building
424 West Superior Street
Rooms B&C
Speakers will be from Veteran's Services at Workforce Development, the Duluth Vet Center and MACV. |
Help the people of Haiti.
The recent devastating earthquake left thousands of Haitians homeless, struggling for food and clean water. Your donation to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund will aid in recovery efforts. Text HAITI to UNITED (864833) to make a $5 gift. |
| HandsOn Greater Duluth presents:
Boom! Engaging Baby Boomers and the Next Generation of Volunteers training by the MN Assoc of Volunteer Administrators (MAVA) March 9.
Training is FREE, courtesy of the Lake Superior Initiative.
| |
 |
Become a fan of United Way of Greater Duluth Join our Group Now!
| |
|
