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United Way 
of the CSRA



December 2010
Volume 4, Edition 17
Live United - United Way


Wishing You A Joyous Christmas Season
from the
United Way of the CSRA Staff

CAMPAIGN UPDATES





Campaign Reaches 50% of Goal!
With the holidays upon us, we are reminded of the generosity and commitment of so many in our community. 
Austin Ind

Presentation from Augusta Service Company and Austin Industrial totaling over $78,000.  (Pictured L-R) Rina Powell, Margaret Williams, Kim Grimes

Since our kickoff in August, campaigns have been running fast and strong.  Our Campaign Team has truly enjoyed working with so many  campaigns as they made it a fun and exciting opportunity for their employees. 

As we continue to see excitement, we are also disappointed to see our team of Loaned Professionals leave us.  It's hard to believe 12 weeks have already passed. This team has done a tremendous job raising needed dollars for our community.  They not only worked hard for our community, they also worked hard supporting each other during this time. Special thanks to our Loaned Professionals for their time and leadership:

Debbie Caver, U.S. Department of Energy; Deborah Humphrey, MCGHealth, Inc.; Elizabeth Johnson, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions; Larry Laughlin, Retired and sponsored by Georgia Bank & Trust Company; Harry Moore, Georgia Power Company; Suzanne Sharkey, Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; and  Regina Tudor, Intern with Augusta State University.

We are also excited to announce our overall campaign total to date which is $2.1 million, 50% of our overall goal.   WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!  If you have not run your campaign or had the opportunity to give, please contact Rina Powell at [email protected].




CFC Campaign Nears Completion

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which began on September 8 with the goal of raising $800,000, has just wrapped up across the Central Savannah River Area(CSRA).

The campaign got off to a great start this year, and with final numbers coming in, everyone is very optimistic about  reaching the goal which will help meet the needs for local, national, and international charities. Federal agencies throughout the area held informational events to help raise awareness and, of course, money for the charities.

The Department of Energy, The Federal Corrections Institute in Edgefield, SC, and The Charlie Norwood Veterans Administration Hospital are the latest federal agencies to host kickoff events.  And if the energy and excitement shown at those events is any indication, they will each have successful campaigns this year.  There's a history of generosity across the federal workforce in the CSRA, and even in these tough economic times federal employees continue to show "They Care" by giving through the CFC.




Win A 2011 Nissan Versa Hatchback!

This year, giving to United Way of the CSRA is more rewarding than ever!  You can win a 2011 Nissan Versa Hatchback donated by Bob Richards of Bob Richards Auto Group.   When you donate a minimum of $260 (just $5 per week), you become eligible for a ticket to win the beautiful car.  We are excited about having a semi-final drawing of ten finalists on February 15 and the final drawing at our 2011 Annual Meeting on February 22.  We're really looking forward to seeing who our lucky winner will be!  Read More.





Win A John Deere Riding Lawnmower!
Support your local community through United Way, and at the same time gain the opportunity to win a John Deere riding lawnmower.  Raffle tickets are just $10 each, and the drawing will take place at the United Way Golf Classic at Jones Creek Golf Club on Monday, April 18, 2011.  Please click here for further details. 





COMMUNITY IMPACT





Want to Honor a Volunteer Who Has Made a Difference for Your Organization?

Nominate him or her for the 2010 Alvin W. Vogtle Volunteer of the Year Award.  Sponsored by Southern Nuclear Operating Company, the Vogtle Award recognizes an individual in the CSRA that has truly gone above and beyond in their volunteer efforts for the community.


Nominations are due electronically by January 14, 2011, and we will recognize the winner and nominees at United Way's annual meeting on February 22, 2011, at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites.  Southern Nuclear has once again agreed to donate $2,000 to the winner's charity of choice!  Click here to download the nomination form and guidelines.





United Way Is Seeking Volunteers for Citizens Review Panels

United Way is seeking 20-25 new volunteers for the upcoming funding process.  If you are a United Way donor and would like to volunteer to be a member of the Citizens Review Panels, please Click Here for further details.  




AmeriCorps*VISTA's Come Together to Give Back to the Community 

In 2008, we partnered with the Augusta Housing & Community Development Department collecting personal hygiene products.  Within a few weeks we put together over 200 care packs to give to the homeless.  In 2009, we got an early start and over 1000 care packs were put together.  In 2010, we collected personal hygiene products all year long and included the Senior Citizens Brown Bag Program and 2-1-1 on the Go! assisting homeless men living in shelters.


Because our personal care hygiene packs have become such a success,in 2011 we are asking for your assistance in reaching out to homeless children in our schools. The idea is to place care packs with the counselors or school nurses to distribute to children who are in need.


Donations will be accepted at United Way of the CSRA, 630 Ellis Street, Augusta, Georgia  30901.  Drop-off will be from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Pick up services are also available. Contact Dorothy Gibson, AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader, at 706-724-5544 x127.  Thank you for your kind giving.





Grants Update

United Way continues to impact the CSRA and leverage resources through grants as follows:

Homeless Prevention/Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) Grant-City of Augusta:
$16,000 - reprogrammed funds to expand outreach and rent/utility assistance to Richmond County residents who have experienced job loss.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA):  $3,000 - to coordinate a homeless count survey for Burke, Emanuel and Jefferson counties in January 2011.






SPECIAL EVENTS






Save the Date for the 10th Annual
United Way Golf Classic

As the CSRA prepares for The Masters each spring, United Way of the CSRA prepares for our Golf Classic. We are excited to host our 10th Annual United Way Golf Classic on Monday, April 18, 2011, and hope you will mark your calendars for this exciting event at Jones Creek Golf Club.  Sponsorships are still available.   Click Here to contact Rina Powell for more information. 





Calling All Volunteers!

Proj Serv 11

Each year, volunteers from several local companies spend the day with non-profit agencies in the CSRA and complete projects such as painting, yard work, playground construction, basic repairs, etc.  Materials are provided by the agencies, and a hearty lunch is served to the volunteers.


The agencies are very appreciative of the work done by the volunteers, and you can truly see what a difference volunteers make at an agency!


United Way's Project Serve day of caring will be held on May 6, 2011, and we would love to have your company participate!  This is a great team-building idea for any organization.
Groups of all sizes and skills are welcome!


Please contact Brooke Steele at United Way for more information or to reserve your team's place:  (706)724-5544 or [email protected].





CARING CLUB




Caring Club� Merchant Spotlight - 
Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills

If you love to cook outdoors, our newest Caring Club� merchant - Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills - is the place for you. Fireside sells every cooking tool you could think of, as well as a huge variety of rubs, spices, and sauces. They also stock all the appliances needed to help you from the simplest tailgate solution to a spectacular  outdoor kitchen. Major brands carried are Big Green Egg, TEC, FireMagic, and The Holland Grill. Caring Club members receive 5% OFF furniture and grills and 10% OFF all other items and services.


Store Hours: M-F 10 - 6, Sat 10 - 5, closed Sunday.
(706) 722-3939
1242 Broad Street
Augusta, GA 30901
www.IdRatherBeFireside.com






PARTNERS FOR GOOD





We Salute Our Partners for Good!

 

Due to the generous support of our Partners for Good, United Way is able to continue producing our various community events and marketing initiatives, even in the face of a challenging economy.  Because of these partners' generous sponsorships and gifts-in-kind donations, they make it possible for us to provide more dollars to programs and services that help those in need.
 

These partners truly exemplify leadership and charitable giving in our community, and we are proud and grateful to have them as our Partners for Good.

 

National Level ($10,000+)
Comcast
Kicks 99
Phoenix Printing Group
WAGT NBC Augusta 26

Masters Level

($7,500-$9,999)
Procter & Gamble  Manufacturing Company


Green Jacket Level ($5,000 - $7,499)
AT&T
First Bank of Georgia
Georgia Power
intelliSystems
Southern Nuclear Operating Company - Plant Vogtle


For a complete listing, please Click Here.






Upcoming Events

 

2011 Annual Meeting
(Official Kickoff of 75th Anniversary Celebration)
February 22, 2011

12:00 -1:30 p.m.
Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites

10th Annual United Way
Golf Classic

April 18, 2011
12:00 p.m.
Jones Creek Golf Club

Project Serve

Day of Caring

May 6, 2011

All Day





Become a fan of United Way on Facebook!

United Way's Facebook page will keep you informed
of current news and events and so much more. Become a fan today!   Facebook Image Join us on Facebook.




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 Tips for Holiday Traveling...
In the Car

Rather than finding toys to amuse and distract your child, use holiday driving time to connect and enjoy being together.

For your baby
� Use car travel as a time to enjoy holiday singing.  Play a CD or sing songs you know or love. Singing creates a sense of togetherness.

For your toddler

� If your toddler likes holiday decorations, look for a snowman in yards as you drive along and see who can yell out "snowman" first.  These type games help children learn to watch carefully and to categorize. 

For your preschooler

� Talk with your child about where you are going to help him or her develop thinking and planning skills.  ("We are going to stop at the grocery store on our trip.")

For more ideas on how you can turn everyday activities into fun learning opportunities, go to www.bornlearning.org.
 




75th Anniversary Sponsorships Available Now!

United Way of the CSRA will be celebrating our 75th Anniversary in 2011, and we are seeking sponsorships to aid in producing our various special events and  marketing initiatives.  These sponsorships allow United Way to keep operating expenses at approximately 13% and allows more dollars to be provided 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 for our 75th anniversary.

Please contact La Verne Gold if you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity with United Way during our 75th Anniversary year (706-724-5544). 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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