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United Way 
of the CSRA
 
 
 
September 2009
Volume 3, Edition 12
Live United - United Way
Give
Advocate
Volunteer

Kickoff 2009



SPECIAL EVENTS






United Way Hosts A "JUNGLE ESCAPE"

United Way of the Central Savannah River Area KO Dancersentertained almost 600 guests on August 24 at the Campaign Kickoff luncheon held at Bell Auditorium.  This fun event with a 'Jungle Escape' theme was presented through the generosity of Savannah River Banking Company, Georgia Power, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, and Southern Nuclear Operating Company.  Meredith Anderson and Richard Rogers, News Anchors with WRDW TV News 12, presided over the event with palm trees, volcanoes, jungle sounds, and an occasional Tarzan yell.  Read More.




Burke County Kicks-off Campaign!

United Way of the CSRA entertained over 150 guests Kickoff 09on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at the Burke County United Way Campaign Kickoff luncheon held at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro campus.  With a "Jungle Escape" theme, United Way invited their guests to escape the stress and challenges of the daily jungle while they learned about the benefits United Way funded programs provide for the community.  Read More.




UPCOMING -
Food & Film for a Cause!

United Way of the CSRA, along with two of our partner agencies, Boys & Girls Clubs of Augusta and American Red Cross of Augusta, will be the beneficiaries of Georgia Theatre Company's "6th Annual Film & Food for a Cause" on Sunday, September 20, 2009. This is the first time our area has participated in this worthwhile event. 
 
The participating theaters are Masters Value Cinemas and Evans Stadium Cinemas.  Advanced tickets are on sale now: $5 for Masters and $10 for Evans. Purchasing an advanced ticket will get you admission to the film of your choice, a small popcorn, a small drink, and a packet of valuable coupons from area restaurants.  This is a fun and easy way to help out your community!  Please call Carrie at 706-724-5544 for more information or to purchase advance tickets. 
 




CAMPAIGN UPDATES





2009 Campaign Off and Running!

With our Loaned Professionals on-board and the Kickoff behind us, United Way's campaign is off and running. Our campaign team has been busy meeting with ECM's, delivering campaign materials, giving presentations, and conducting agency tours.  We are fortunate to have a team of Loaned Professionals (LP's) on-board to help conduct successful employee campaigns. Special thanks to the following companies for providing LP's or sponsorships:  Georgia Bank & Trust Company, Georgia Power, Savannah River Site, and U.S. Department of Energy.
 
A special thanks to the following companies who ran Pacesetter campaigns this year - prior to the campaign's kickoff on August 24. 
 
American Red Cross of Augusta
Palmetto GBA
Sam's Club
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
United Way of the CSRA Board of Directors
United Parcel Service
Walmart Stores, Inc.

If you have not begun planning your campaign, please contact Rina Powell at [email protected] We look forward to reporting our communities' success at United Way's Annual Meeting on February 22, 2010.
 
Click Here for United Way's 2009 Campaign Video





It's Show Time for the CFC!

The Combined Federal Campaign kicked off its 2009 Campaign on Thursday, September 3, with a variety show held at Alexander Hall at Fort Gordon. The theme of the kickoff was "Show Time at Fort Gordon" with winners of the base's talent competition displaying their talents in the areas of music, drama, and dance.  WJBF personality, Kimberly Scott, served as emcee and announced the CFC's goal of $850,000.  Read More.




Tocqueville Society Challenge

 "America is great because America is good."  In that enduring observation, Alexis de Tocqueville expressed his admiration for a nation that comes together for common purpose during times of need.  This is demonstrated in the leadership and generosity of Tocqueville Society members. 
 
French Aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville came to America in 1831.  His travels took him all over this young nation where he keenly watched the American society.  Perhaps his most important observation was that we helped each other in times of need.  He recognized, applauded, and immortalized the voluntary spirit that lives in American's hearts.  Read More.




CARING CLUB





Welcome, New Caring Club Participating Merchants!

United Way would like to welcome the following Participating Merchants to the Caring Club�:

 

Delmac Minute Mart - Waynesboro
 
DJ Productions
 
Forest Hills Golf Course

Goldberg's Furniture Store - Waynesboro
 
MTL Automotive - Waynesboro
 
Walker's Seafood - Waynesboro
 
William Mizell Ford, Inc. - Waynesboro
 

Offers at these new participating merchants are effective immediately.  Click Here to see available discounts. Please remember to show your card at time of purchase. 




    COMMUNITY IMPACT





New VISTA Pilot Program

United Way has been awarded three additional AmeriCorps*VISTA positions from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Georgia State Office, to implement a new aspect of their AmeriCorps program.  United Way will engage three veterans/wounded warriors in a pilot program serving veterans, soldiers and their families.  "This unique addition to our AmeriCorps*VISTA program promises to use service as a strategy to assist veterans who have sacrificed so much for their country, " said Joan Stoddard, Community Building Coordinator and project supervisor.

The veterans/wounded warriors will tap the knowledge, skills and abilities of veterans by engaging them in volunteer positions, which will enable them to make a positive difference in their community and improve their quality of life as a civilian.   Examples of service assignments include mentoring and working with the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project.  There is a need for trained volunteer mentors for returning service members and wounded warriors.  Mentors will assist service members in the process of transition and train volunteers to be good listeners and sounding boards.  Other assignments will be to help veterans navigate the higher education system, organize veteran support groups and engage veterans and others in community service projects.
 




PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT 





Outreach Program
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia

Through the Outreach Program, the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia have been able to facilitate 16 after-school programs and 15 in-school programs serving over 300 girls in the CSRA. 
 
One of these in-school programs, in particular, stands out among the others.  Lamar Elementary School hosted a six week Girl Scout program for 16 fourth and fifth grade girls.  For 90 minutes every week,  a Girl Scout staff member conducted a Self-Esteem class and provided basic needs supplies to each participant.   Several girls were dealing with adult situations, but through the program they learned how to navigate their way around these obstacles and began to see themselves in a positive light. 
 
Since the end of the program, the girls have been assisted with joining traditional troops, and it was decided that during the 2009-2010 academic school year, the in-school program will continue.
 
Without generous donations to United Way, the Girl Scout Outreach Program would be limited. As a result, many girls would not  be able to participate and future in-school classes would be affected.  Through your donations, United Way and Girl Scouts are giving girls a chance to develop into strong and confident young women.





Upcoming Events

Loaned Professionals
Aug. 17 thru Nov. 6
 
Film & Food for A Cause
September 20, 2009
All Day
Evans & Masters Cinemas 

Tocqueville Society Reception
October 29, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Home of Rick & Robin Allen

2009 Annual Meeting February 22, 2010 
12:00 p.m.
Marriott Hotel & Suites

 9th Annual United Way Golf Classic
April 19, 2010
Jones Creek Golf Course 
 
Nat'l Volunteer Week
April 18-24, 2010

 




United Way Joins Facebook!
 
Now you can become a fan of United Way in Facebook by clicking on the link below. The Facebook page of United Way will keep you informed of current news and events and so much more. Become a fan today!   Facebook Image Join us on Facebook.




2-1-1 Website Features Flu Information

Information from the Department of Community Health about the upcoming flu season can now be found on the 2-1-1 website.  Check out the "Roll Up Your Sleeves" brochure and go to the 2-1-1 website
 www.211uwcsra.org for current tips on preventing and lessening the effects of seasonal flu.

 




Check Out the Christmas Clearinghouse!

Are you involved with an organization that provides Christmas assistance to families in need? If so, become a part of United Way's Christmas Clearinghouse Initiative today!
 
The mission of the Christmas Clearinghouse is to fairly distribute holiday assistance so that no family is helped by more than one agency until all needy families have been helped. 
 
Through the use of an online system, local non-profits, faith-based, government and civic organizations check the names of their applicants to ensure they are not being served by other organizations. By reducing duplications, more individuals in need can be assisted with toys and food.

Help us spread Christmas cheer to more families - Click Here to let us know you want to participate. 








Born Learning Tip
 
September is 'Baby Safety Month'.

Did you know....an average of 80 fatalities related to nursery products are reported annually?  Most deaths are associated with cribs, baby baths / bath seats, and playpens.  Falls from infant carriers/car seats, cribs and strollers / carriages were associated with the majority of over 66,000 U.S. emergency department treated injuries to children younger than 5. 
 
Baby Safety Month is an excellent time to make sure your home is baby safe....it may save a baby's life!

For more information, go to www.bornlearning.org.




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. 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United Way Logo
 
United Way of the CSRA
630 Ellis Street, Suite C
P. O. Box 1724
Augusta, GA 30903
(706) 724-5544
Fax (706) 724-5541
www.uwcsra.org