United Way of Mifflin-Juniata
Live United - United Way

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
ENEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY






Friday, April 24, 2009











Neil - campaign photo courtesy of The Sentinel
Greetings!

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.








A giant THANK YOU to everyone who helped us raise $565,309 for the 2009 campaign!!!






AmeriCorps Week
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].  

Protecting Our Children's Healthy Smiles
Dental pic
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.
Read Across the Counties
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].



Give.
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!
Give.

Advocate.
You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people!
Advocate

Volunteer.
You can LIVE UNITED by lending a hand to those who need one.  Contact the United Way office to offer your help!
Volunteer.

Upcoming Events
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*







United Way of Mifflin-Juniata     (717) 248-9636 (Mifflin County)
13 E. 3rd St                                (717) 436-0212 (Juniata County)
Lewistown, PA 17044               (717) 248-5648 (fax)
                  www.mjunitedway.org
�United Way of America. All Rights Reserved
Unsubscribe