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 | | Xcel Energy campaign coordinators from the Prairie Island nuclear plant present a check in the amount of $122, 450 to the United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties board of directors. The donation includes employee pledges, a corporate match and several fundraising events. |
People Who Are Making A Difference
The photo above represents the work of many volunteers, working together to raise money to make the communities we live in better for all . Those volunteers are people who give time, talent and money. They are people who are making a difference.
Those of you who have volunteered to be a part of a Community Investment Decision Panel in the past will immediately understand the difficulty,
pride, camaraderie and purpose I am about to describe. Those of you who have not yet volunteered for this experience... you just don't know what you're missing.
Each year we recruit volunteers to represent our donors and decide how the dollars entrusted to us are allocated.Last week, the first of three panels was busy every evening and in every kid of weather. They drove in through snow and ice and left in downpours. This group had read 15 grant requests, met for a question meeting, and completed site visits before the panel week had even begun.
Panel week included three evenings of presentations by agencies seeking funding and a final night of decision making. I have to say, this group did an excellent job.
They all took the responsibility of representing what donors in our service very seriously. They brought a wide variety of ages, income levels, interests and financial philosophies, very representative of our supporters.
The decisions were difficult. We did not have money to fully fund every grant request received. Through discussion, compromise and compassion, final recommendations were decided upon .I hope every volunteer left feeling satisfied that they had done their best.
What thrilled me when I participated as a volunteer on these panels and again last week when I was only a facilitator is the openness and trust exhibited in discussions. People share very private opinions and experiences knowing that they are called to perform a very critical task...being responsible for the care of those in need in our communities. They leave knowing more about people in our communities, the agencies who help them, their partners on the panel and most importantly about themselves and their beliefs.
What more could you ask from a volunteer experience.
All of us at United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties want to thank the volunteers who participated last week and those who will be working this week and next. They take away time from their families, add additional hours to long work days and share of themselves to help others.
They are people who make a difference. Are you?
Maureen Nelson
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"The world is not interested in what we do for a living. What they are interested in is what we have to offer freely - hope, strength, love and the power to make a difference! "
Sasha Azevedo
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
Helen Keller (1880-1968)
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SHARE YOUR TALENTS WITH OTHERS
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2012
CHILI COOK OFF
Thursday, Sept 27th, 2012
it will be here before you know it...
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Telephone Credit Card Fraud
Thanks to Jennifer Cook from the City of Red Wing for Providing this information.
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and I was called on Thursday from 'Master Card'. The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497..99 from a Marketing company based in ?'
When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?'
You say 'yes'. The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for Security."
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do, and hangs up".
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a 'Jason Richardson of Master Card' with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.
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Red Wing Wish List
Fruit Cups or Canned Fruit
No Applesauce please, this is all we have been ale to purchase from the food bank for several weeks.
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Isabel celebrates her birthday by sharing food for hungry children |
Upcoming Events | |
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Cannon Falls
11-4pm
Join us at the Cannon Falls Business Expo to get aquainted with Cannon Falls business and discover the many great products and services they have to offer. Over 35 booths, workshops, demonstrations, door prizes, samples and more.
Free Admission
Cannon Falls High School
FFA Annual Toy Sale
9 - 5
Admission $3 | |
CFHS Fieldhouse |
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Lake City
Tues. March 27
Women's History Month
Presentation
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The Lake City Historical Society is sponsoring a talk that highlights Women's History Month. Kathy Halvorson, the first female warden of Minnesota correctional Facility-Red Wing will offer an interesting and informative presentation about the evolution of this historic facility and women's roles in the corrections profession.
Free admission
Refreshments
2nd floor Council Chambers
Lake City - City Hall
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Red Wing
March 15-17
7:00pm
March 18
2:00 PM
To Kill a Mocking Bird
The Phoenix Theatre invites you to this classic play set in Alabama during the Great Depression. Follow the journey of Jem and Scout Finch, whose father has been appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man framed for a crime he did not commit. As the trial progresses, Jem and Scout witness their community in a tense tug of war between justice and racism. This timeless classic compels us to take an honest look at our nation's past and our moral responsibility to each other.
Sheldon Theatre
Admission:
Adults $18
Students $11 |
| | | 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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