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United Way Raises $4,331,713 for the Community!
United Way of the CSRA recently celebrated our great nation, our community, and the United Way volunteers at the 2009 Annual Meeting. The event, with a patriotic theme of red, white and blue stars, was presented through the generous sponsorship of Savannah River Banking Company and Georgia Power.
Walt Dukes, 2008 Campaign Chair, revealed that this community raised $4,331,713 in the 2008 campaign. These funds will now be allocated to almost 60 health and human service programs to help people in need.  Mr. Dukes stated, "This year's campaign proved to be a very exciting challenge. As we watched the results come in, some donations greatly exceeded past years while others decreased significantly due to company downsizing and concerns over the economy." READ MORE.
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United Way Acknowledges Top Campaigns
United Way would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for your wonderful support of the 2008 campaign. This was an accomplishment that would not have been possible without the leadership and commitment of countless individuals and companies in our community. We would like to recognize Top Companies in the following categories:
Top Campaigns with 3,000 or More Employees
Top Corporate Gifts
Top Combined Federal Campaigns
Top Campaigns with Over 300 Employees
Top Campaigns with Under Under 300 Employees |
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Click Here for a list of Top Companies. |
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Augusta Service Company Named
"Spirit of Community" Award Winner
The second annual Spirit of Community Award was presented recently to Augusta Service Company, Inc. (ASCI). This traveling award is presented each year to a company that exemplifies strong participation, high employee and corporate per capita giving, strong leadership, and overall volunteerism within the community. ASCI demonstrates all these characteristics by running a model campaign. This company consistently increases their donations year after year. READ MORE. |
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Michael Stephens Named
2008 Volunteer of the Year!
Michael Stephens was recently named Alvin W. Vogtle Volunteer of the Year for 2008 at the United Way Annual Meeting on February 24. Tom Tynan, Vice President of Southern Nuclear Operating Company - Plant Vogtle, presented the award to Mr. Stephens who was nominated by Friendship Community Center. In addition, Mr. Stephens was presented with a check for $2,000, compliments of Southern Nuclear-Plant Vogtle, to be donated to his charity of choice.
Mr. Stephens has served Friendship Community Center faithfully for nine years and can always be counted on to do whatever is needed. He also works with numerous other agencies where he stays busy helping young people, the elderly, disabled, veterans, and people down on their luck. His willingness and desire to make a difference in the world has been the driving force in all his endeavors, and he is truly an outstanding volunteer who is beloved by all who know him. READ MORE. |
In July 2008, United Way of the CSRA launched a "Hospital Competition" to create friendly competition between hospitals in the CSRA: Doctors Hospital; MCGHealth, Inc.; and University Health Care System. The competition was a way that all organizations could continue promoting caring for individuals inside and outside of the hospital while making the United Way campaign exciting and fun for all.
MCG Health, Inc. was named the "Overall Winner" of the competition with a total contribution of more than $101,000 which included a $10,000 corporate gift.
(From left to right): Lisa Mitchum, Ann Hayes, Sonny Williams, Rumame Samuels, StJohn Sturton, Monica Brahmbhatt, Tamesha Jennings, and Roslyn Marshall
Doctors Hospital received two awards: the "Per Capital Award" for the largest increase in per capita giving and the "Leadership Award" for the largest increase in leadership giving. READ MORE. | |
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Combined Federal Campaign...
A Star In Someone's Life!
The 2008 Combined Federal Campaign has been a true victory for those in need as well as a testament to the astounding generosity of the federal employees. At the onset of the campaign, federal employees were challenged to "Be a Star in Someone's Life." The federal workforce of the CSRA has proven itself to exceed this challenge with pledges and donations totaling over $841,000. Nearly 2,000 local, national and international charities will benefit from these contributins to assist those in need. Ms. Rene B. Suggs, United States Postal Service, said, "As Chair of our local Combined Federal Campaign Board of Directors, it is a pleasure to be part of and represent such a selfless federal family. We are proud of our accomplishments and look forward to the 2009 Combined Federal Campaign."
CLICK HERE to read the Combined Federal Campaign 2008 Report to the Community.
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United Way 2-1-1 Awarded VITA Grant
United Way 2-1-1 has been named the recipient of a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant. With United Way-supported VITA campaigns, the Wal-Mart Foundation has set out to ensure that a greater number of taxpayers in the CSRA are educated about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and have access to free tax filing assistance at a free tax preparation site staffed by volunteers.
Nationally, the IRS estimates that approximately 20 percent of eligible individuals and families are unaware that they qualify for EITC, a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income individuals and families. For tax year 2008, individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $42,000 or less are eligible for assistance.
The agencies offering no cost tax preparation service are Augusta Urban Ministries, 30901 Development Corporation and Augusta Technical College. Service will be available by appointment at these agencies through April 15, 2009. Locations, dates and times of service can be found by calling 2-1-1 or by dialing (706) 826-1495 or 1-877-292-5211. CLICK HERE to read more. |
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Caring Club® Merchant Highlight:
The Family Y
With spring and summer quickly approaching, now is a perfect time for you and your family to become members of The Family Y. Even better, use your Caring Club® card and receive 50% off the Joiner's Fee at any branch location, a savings worth up to $50.
Not only does The Family Y have several locations to choose from, seven in fact, the fitness facility provides a wide range of services and options. Choose from a variety of machines to work-out on or be adventurous and try an aerobic or strength training class. There are also social opportunities which cater to all ages, as well as specialized programs such as seasonal youth sports, adaptive aquatics, camps, licensed childcare, and pre-school programs. And, with summer right around the corner, visiting The Family Y's indoor and outdoor pools would be a great way to beat the Augusta heat.
Something worth knowing about The Family Y is that, "Kids and families come to The Family Y to do more than just work-out, swim, play basketball, or join an aerobics class. They come to our facilities because we offer a safe, caring place for them - a place where they belong." To learn more about The Family Y, visit them at www.thefamilyy.org.
United Way would like to thank The Family Y for their continued support of the Caring Club®; the organization was one of the first Participating Merchants. |
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Funded Program Spotlight:
Counseling and Casework Services at
Senior Citizens Council of Greater Augusta and the CSRA, Georgia, Inc.
Rosalee, age 83, was frightened and had no one to turn to when she was dismissed from the hospital for chronic pain and depression. Although her physician had cleared her for independent living, she was totally alone - without family, friends, or resources - and didn't know where to turn.
Fortunately, she had heard about the United Way-funded Counseling and Casework Services at the Senior Citizens Council, and so she contacted them and set up an interview. Through several visits it became evident that, because of Rosalee's pain and increasing confusion, she could no longer live without assistance. After researching and visiting several facilities, Rosalee's caseworker found an apartment at St. John Towers for Rosalee and her disabled cat. READ MORE. | |
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Upcoming Events
National Volunteer Week
April 19-25, 2009
8th Annual United Way Golf Classic
April 27, 2009
Belle Meade Country Club7,
2009 Project Serve
April 24, 2009
2009 CSRA Campaign Kickoff
August 24, 2009
Bell Auditorium |
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8th Annual United Way Golf Classic
United Way's 8th Annual Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at Belle Meade Country Club in Thomson, Georgia.
Click Here for details or call (706) 724-5544 for more information or to register. |
Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now!
United Way depends on partnerships with many employers and individuals in our community to aid us in producing our special events and trainings. These sponsorships allow us to keep our operating expenses at approximately 13% and allows us to provide more dollars to the programs that help those in need in our community.
With your help, we can do so much more than we could ever do alone. Please consider a partnership with United Way. Click Here for a list of 2009 Sponsorship Opportunities. |
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Project Serve Coming Soon!
Does your organization want to make a "hands-on" difference? On April 24, 2009, please join United Way as volunteers from around the CSRA complete projects at local non-profit agencies. Projects include painting, landscaping and basic repairs. This is a great project for groups of all sizes and skill levels.
Please contact Brooke Howell at United Way (706-724-5544) or bhowell@uwcsra.org for more information on how you can be involved.
Click Here for more information/photos. |
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Born Learning Tip
Turn an errand into a fun learning game that helps your child make sense of the surrounding world. If your child likes trucks, look for trucks as you drive and see who can yell "truck" first. See who can spot the first "yellow" truck on the road.
These simple fun games encourage early learning. Make every trip fun and a learning experience for you child.
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Have you received your new Caring Club® discount card?
United Way thanks you for your patience during the Caring Club® card production process. All cards have been mailed, but if for some reason you have not received yours, please contact the United Way office at 706-724-5544. |
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Caring Club® Merchant Update |
United Way would like to welcome the following new merchant to the Caring Club®:
New York Butcher Shoppe
Please Click Here for additional information on discounts provided.
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United Way of the CSRA
630 Ellis Street
P. O. Box 1724
Augusta, GA 30903
(706) 724-5544
Fax (706) 724-5541
www.uwcsra.org | | |
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