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Give What is Needed
Wow, what a fabulous weekend, great food, great friends and best of all time with my family. If you are nodding in agreement-consider yourself very lucky. For so many this was not the experience they had this holiday weekend and for most the entire holiday season will not be very festive.
Living in the midwest, we know that we can count on people's generosity all year long, but especially during the holidays. We have already had people coming in asking for families to support with food and gifts, and people coming in with donations for holiday help. Last week I had a long conversation with Tonya Hamel, who has been in charge of the Lake City Christmas Project for the past several years. It was interesting but not surprising to hear Tonya's concerns and recognize them as the same as those we hear in Red Wing. In fact, I am positive they are being repeated in every town through out our service area.
This year you will get appeals from church projects, civic projects and national projects to donate toys, jackets, mittens, gifts and food. Try to give to local organizations if you care about your gift being used locally. The local organizations that sponsor these drives really know who is getting the gifts and can assure you that you are truly lending someone in need a helping hand.
Here are a few points Tonya and I discussed that you might find helpful when giving this year:
1. Teens are often overlooked in gift drives.It is cheaper and more fun to walk down the toy isles and pick out bright, colorful, attention grabbing toys for little children, but please don't forget the older children. Some ideas for teens:
- Gift cards to local businesses and Restaurants
- Cosmetics & personal care items
- Costume Jewelry
- Cameras, radios. electronic handheld games
- hats, scarves and mittens
- slippers, socks
- backpacks or handbags, wallets, keychains
- cd's, cd holders,
- art supplies, pens, markers
2. Don't forget items for family use. Families have food available through the state and through local food shelves. However we all forget to donate items that aren't food, but just as necessary for healthy living. Although not as fun to purchase these items will be much appreciated.
- laundry supplies and basket
- cleaning supplies, sponges, buckets
- personal care items; shampoo, conditioner, soap
- paper product; Bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels
- dental hygiene products, tooth brushes, tooth past and mouthwash
Whatever you decide to give and whomever you choose to help, we thank you for lending a helping hand.
Maureen Nelson
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A great way to give thanks
for the privileges we've got is to do important work.
Your job, your internet access, your education, your role in a civilized society... all of them are a platform, a chance to do art, a way for you to give back and to honor those that enabled you to get to this point.
For every person reading this there are a thousand people (literally a thousand) in underprivileged nations and situations that would love to have your slot. Don't waste it.
Seth Grodin |  | |  |
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United Way has Prescription for Immediate Savings ! | |
United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties and FamilyWize announce a total Year to Date Savings of over $40,300 in everyday prescription costs for local residents
The free FamilyWize drug discount card is distributed by United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties . "No one should be forced to choose between paying for food, rent or medicine because of the high cost of prescriptions. That's why we've partnered with FamilyWize to distribute free prescription discount cards to everyone in our service area", said Tonya Roth, Community Impact Partnerships Manager of our local United Way.
Distributed through United Ways, the FamilyWize card lowers the cost of medicine by an average of 30% or more for people without insurance or who take medications not covered by their plan. It's easy. It's just like a coupon you can keep using every time you need to fill a prescription. All you have to do is present a a FamilyWize card at a local pharmacy to get the savings. "The FamilyWize card provides immediate savings on prescription medicines with no paperwork or forms to fill out," said Dan Barnes, Co-chair of The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership.
These cards can be used by everyone in the community, not just people without insurance. They can even be used by people with health benefits, including Medicaid or Medicare.
The FamilyWize card is easy to use:
- It's Free
- For immediate and unlimited use
- Anyone can use the FamilyWize card
- Accepted at 95% of pharmacies nationwide
- No enrollment or personal information needed
Nearly 1,000 United Ways in all 50 states have helped to save more than $100 million on prescriptions in their communities.
FamilyWize cards can be found locally at our United Way Office at 413 W. 3rd. Street in Red Wing. People with Internet access can go to www.FamilyWize.org to print a card, look up drug prices and obtain a list of participating pharmacies.
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A Place to Call Home
At United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties we always attempt to be a good neighbor, the kind of people that are there to lend a helping hand when needed or a smiling face when that is all that is called for. We offer services to the community like the use of our BIG downtown windows to promote programs and events, the use of our office space for meetings, and the use of this newsletter to get messages out that are important.
This week we have an important message to share about a family who lost their home to fire. One of our four focus areas at United Way is Safety Net Services, food clothing and shelter. This family lost everything but through the help of their friends, neighbors and church they now have an apartment, clothing and their holiday needs met. What they are missing is some basic furniture, beds and appliances. This is a single mother with four young children.
A donation trust in Jessica Wagner's name has been set up for the family at Wells Fargo Bank. Monetary donations will be accepted at any branch.
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Wish List
Due to a scheduling glitch with Cannel One Food Delivery we are in desparate need of :
for week 12/1
22boxes of Mac N Cheese
27cans of fruit (or packs of fruit cups)
for week 12/8
40 plastic jars of Peanut Butter
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Upcoming Events | |
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3rd Annual SERRV sale | |
Saturday, December 3rd
Purchase beautiful and affordable fair trade items hand crafted by artisans and farmers in developing regions. With each purchase, you help artisans maintain steady work and a sustainable income so they can provide for their families.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
220 W Main Street~Cannon Falls
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cannon Falls Community Blood Drive
Tuesday, December 6th
The Cannon Falls Community Blood Drive-sponsored by the Cannon Falls VFW Auxiliary will be held at St. Pius V Catholic Church~401 Colvill Street~downtown Cannon Falls. All Eligible donors are needed! 16 year olds eligible to donate with signed ARC Consent form. For appointments call Karen at 507-263-4526 between 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.Cannon Falls
St. Pius V Catholic Church
401 W Colvill Street~Cannon Falls
1 - 7 p.m. |
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Lake City | |
2011Holiday Train
Saturday, December 10
Time: 8:00-8:45 pm
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails again this year, visiting over 130 communities in eight states and six provinces. In the last decade, the Holiday Train has help raise $4 million and 2 million pounds of food for local food banks.
The Holiday Train will be in Lake City at Hearth & Home Technologies (800 West Jefferson St.) with their box car stage, great musical entertainment, & the decorated train.
Bring a cash or food donation to the Holiday Train event for the local food shelf. |
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Red Wing
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West End Liquor 2011 Holiday Wine Tasting
Thursday, December 1, 2011
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
West End Liquor is proud to present its 17th Annual Holiday Wine Tasting at the Summit of the St. James Hotel .
Enjoy 125 wines from around the world, as well as awesome appetizers from the St. James Hotel. Brau Brothers Brewery from Lucan, Minnesota will be represented as well. Tickets are on sale now at West End Liquor and the St. James Hotel for $25 each. Tickets are limited and they sell out every year. All proceeds benefit Red Wing Hospice.
Celebrate First Friday
Friday, Dec 2nd
Make a card for an elderly or homebound person and drop your card in the container at ArtReach. These cards will be delivered by Fairview Seminary Home's Meals on Wheels Volunteers during the holiday season. The people receiving food are also happy to have visitors and would love to receive a card made by you.
Supply stops for card project:
Red Wing Public Library-enjoy a story and pick up your card and bag
Sheldon Theater
United Way
YMCA
Arts Association
ArtReach-make your card here
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| | | United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties reserves the right to print material it deems appropriate and of interest to our readers. We may promote fund raisers, benefits and promotions for non-profit organizations working with people in our service area. All submissions should be sent to maureen.nelson@uw-gwp.org for consideration. Editing for size may occur in articles chosen to be printed. |
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