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photo courtesy of The Sentinel |
Greetings!
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Thank you for supporting the United Way of
Mifflin-Juniata (UWMJ) 2009 Campaign. Because of your support, UWMJ raised
$565,309 to help those in need.Our United Way
is fortunate to have good friends like you.
You truly are the heart of our community.
"It never ceases
to amaze me - to raise this amount of money in this tough economic time is a
tribute to the extraordinary generosity of our community," said Marie
Mulvihill, Executive Director of the United Way of
Mifflin-Juniata. This year's campaign
concluded on March 25, 2009 with a dinner held at Birch Hill, Burnham.
"From working closely with our program partners, we
know needs increase dramatically in challenging times. We shared this message
with our community throughout the campaign, and the good people of the Mifflin
and Juniata counties responded with tremendous
support," continued Mulvihill. The local United
Way traces its history back 74 years, to the
original Community Chest in 1935. There
will be little rest for the organization's volunteers - planning for the 2010
campaign will begin almost immediately.
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A giant THANK YOU to everyone who helped us raise $565,309 for the 2009 campaign!!!
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AmeriCorps Week
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AmeriCorps can easily be thought of as the domestic version
of the Peace Corps. Beginning in 1964, Volunteers
In Service To America
(VISTAs) have worked to create programs that fight poverty. Since its inception, AmeriCorps has branched
into three branches - VISTA, National Civilian
Community Corps (NCCC - which responds to disasters and community safety), and
National/State (whose members take a more hands-on role within their agency). AmeriCorps members are full-time volunteers,
paid for through the Corporation for National and Community Service, working in
local, state, or national nonprofit organizations. It is a wonderful program for the agencies
that work so hard to help their communities.
The week of May 9-16th is AmeriCorps Week - meant
to grow awareness of the AmeriCorps program. The United
Way of Mifflin-Juniata VISTA, Holly McCready, will
be releasing information to the local media, as will as delivering packets of
information to local high schools. These
packets will include informative brochures and facts, as well as personalized
accounts of local AmeriCorps workers and local AmeriCorps Alum. For more information on the AmeriCorps
program, please visit www.americorps.gov
or contact Holly at the United Way,
248-9636 or [email protected].
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Protecting Our Children's Healthy Smiles
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During the month of February, Success By 6 partnered with the
Mifflin-Juniata Dental Clinic, Kiwanis in Mifflin and Juniata Counties,
CHIP and United Concordia Insurance to promote Dental Health Month at local
child care and preschool programs.
Dental Presentations were held at nine different agencies with a total
of twelve separate presentations.. Presentations included: how to brush
and floss, what to expect to see when you go to the dentist, and eating healthy
to keep teeth healthy. Each child had
the chance to 'practice' brushing the teeth on a stuffed animal with fake teeth
and also learned to sing a few dental songs. Along with presentations, the
students also received dental kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss,
timers, toothbrush covers, coloring books and other dental health information.
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Read Across the Counties
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For the fourth consecutive year,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Success By 6/United Way of
Mifflin-Juniata will highlight the importance of early literacy development
in preschoolers through Pennsylvania's
"One Book, Every Young Child" program.
Success By 6 has invited
community members to visit children in Mifflin and Juniata
counties during April to promote the value of reading early and often to
preschoolers. The Mifflin and Juniata
"Read Across the Counties" program is based on studies showing that simply
reading a book to a child isn't enough. Adults must find a way to engage
children by talking about the books cover and illustrations, discussing the
action in the book and favorite parts, pretend play related to the book and
more.
This years' book, If You Were a
Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor, lets children step inside a penguin's
world with entertaining and educational facts about many different kinds of
penguins. Activities and additional information can be found on the website.
For more information about Success By 6 and helping
prepare children to succeed when they enter school, contact Cristy Yoders at
717.436.0212 or [email protected].
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Give.
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You can LIVE UNITED
by giving support to United Way or one of our Impact Areas and support our more
strategic approach to community problem-solving!
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Advocate.
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You can LIVE UNITED by
helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone
forwards this to five people!
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Volunteer.
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You can LIVE UNITED by
lending a hand to those who need one. Contact the United Way office to offer
your help!
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Upcoming Events
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Ongoing LUMINA Center Capital Funds Campaign *raising money for purchase of Ohev Shalom Synagogue, contact Deb Wilt, (717) 242-2888*
April 25 Youth Day of Caring 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
April 25 Kid Connection Downtown Lewistown 9:00 am -2:00 pm
April 28
Red Cross Volunteer Orientation ComPASS Center, Lewistown 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm *contact Yvonne Donnelly, 717-257-1822 Ext. 218*
April 30 Blood Drive Tuscarora Grange #774, East Waterford 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
May 2 JV Boy Scouts Anniversary Gala Seven Mountains Scout Camp 9:00 am - 4:00 pm *contact Dave Counsil, (717) 667-9236
May 12 Here to Help Day ComPASS Center, Lewistown 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
May 16-17 Mifflin-Juniata Arts Festival Rec Park, Lewistown
June 15-26 Rainbow Summer LUMINA Center Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm *free, ages 6-11, pre-registration is required, contact Deb Wilt, (717) 242-2888*
July
6 - August 7
Fun-In-The-Sun LUMINA Center
Monday
& Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday,
Thursday & Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
*free, ages 8-14, pre-registration is required, contact Deb Wilt, (717) 242-2888*
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