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Report from the Campaign Trail
2008 Campaign Underway |
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The 2008 Case for Giving
It is reported that currently we are doing 22% better at this time than we were this time last year. We still have a long road to go. It is comforting to know that when the going gets tough, we all have been able to step up to the challenge! Keep up the good work! We will keep you posted as we come to a close of our Campaign. Save the date for the unveiling of campaign numbers, Saturday, May 9, 2009 - 6 pm. All your efforts throughout the Inland Valleys service area will be announced at this celebration. This evening is entitled, 'The Live United Celebration', "An Evening of Elegance". The announcement of how much we were able to meet or to exceed our goal of $4,310,000 will be unveiled!! This is also an award celebration to thank the top companies and individual donors to our community through the United Way of the Inland Valleys.
Join the Challenge to Live United! Three flights of stairs, caution tape on blocked walkways, two hundred early rising employees and $3000 in auction basket giveaways are just a few traditions of the annual United Way of the Inland Valley campaign held by Nordstrom of Tyler in the City of Riverside.
Even with the tough economic times, Nordstrom Human Resources Manager, Kristal Vasquez, did not lose hope. Alongside the store manager, they encouraged participation from fellow sale associates and management through payroll pledging and participation at their day's event on October 3rd.
This was a very early morning for Nordstrom employees, the United Way Account Manager and the representatives from the Member Agencies. Yet, they all came together for an open seating and stage made just for the "Live United" campaign.
Representatives from American Red Cross Riverside County Chapter, a recoveree and now staff of La Vista Recovery & Wholeness Center who is now a proud parent of two adoptees, and a young aspiring woman assisted by Olive Crest Treatment Center; they each shared their compelling stories, which moved employees to tears, to stand in ovation, and to give high fives to the little ones who ran through the aisles! United Way of the Inland Valleys' Account Manager, Vanessa Velasco, encouraged everyone in the beginning to stand and remember that their few hundred voices together are more powerful than one. Employees at Nordstrom of Tyler stepped up to the plate and showed that even during tough times, we can UNITE and LIVE as one! With a bit of hope, encouragement, and one early morning, Nordstrom of Tyler (as of 10/13) has raised $44,847.40 for our community. Join us in our thank you to the courageous and hardworking employees of Nordstrom of Tyler!!
Let us know if you are aware of other companies that would like to join us in our campaign. We can assist in rallying the troops during these difficult times to keep our region a great place to live, work and play. To have an Account Manager from United Way of the Inland Valleys sent out to encourage everyone to stand up for our communities. Call and ask for John Roberts at (951) 697-4700. |
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Agency Spotlight:
Soroptomist House of Hope, Inc. |
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ONE DAY AT A TIME Jean came to Soroptimist House of Hope shortly after being paroled from State Prison. When she arrived she was scared and wanted to isolate herself from everyone. What she did have was a willingness to stay one day at time. Before too long, Jean was smiling again. She was thrilled when the Director's husband donated a computer just for the clients. She hooked it up and was ready to get busy. The process of following directions, working 12 steps and trying to build a clean and sober foundation began to take hold. Jean found a God of her understanding and the light in her face was unmistakable. She is a walking talking miracle and grateful to have a new life. After completing our program, Jean was blessed with a house to move into. She had two weeks to find work and start paying rent. Jean put in applications everywhere in town, walked to meetings and kept close to the support of House of Hope. She got a wonderful full-time job, is now fully self sufficient and her desire to continue to be of service for her own recovery is amazing. Very soon, she will be a certified volunteer for Soroptomist House of Hope. Soroptomist House of Hope is one of the 38 Health and Human Service Agencies who receive funding from the United Way of the Inland Valleys. |
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| Different people share with us the way they LIVE UNITED. |
 "Not many people have the blessing that I have of being able to work in the community full time. I spend my days working with various community groups. As the Chairperson of the San Gorgonio Childcare Consortium I get to work on issues facing our youngest citizens. I also am the chairperson of PASS (Pass Area Supporting Soldiers) which focuses on supporting our troops serving overseas, as well as the Holiday Wish program, which provides gifts for our less fortunate families during the Christmas holidays. As the adviser for Interact (part of my Rotarian duties) I encourage and support the involvement of high school students in community service projects and we do about 30 per year. I volunteer at the senior center twice a month to do notarizations for them at no cost. My work as a city councilmember keeps me busy the rest of the time especially with my appointments to the RTA Board and the Riverside Community Action Partnership. I believe I have a responsibility to give back to my community, and that is how I live united."
- Debbie Franklin - Board MemberMayor Pro Tem
City of Banning |
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GIVE |
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Invest in your community through the "Community Care Fund". United Way of the Inland Valleys is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income, health, and disaster assistance/preparedness. These are the building blocks for a good life.
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ADVOCATE
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Anyone can champion the cause. Whether you're speaking out to improve education, income and health, reaching out to members of Congress, or wearing the LIVE UNITED shirt to show your support, you can help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. So go ahead and advocate in a LIVE UNITED world. Do it in public. Be visible. Be loud.
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VOLUNTEER |
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Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best. We all have special talents. Things we can do to help. We influence the condition of all. Whether it's serving on an Agency Review Team, or coaching a team with the YMCA, or participating in the annual Day of Caring, there are hundreds of volunteer options available everyday.
Give the GIFT of YOU.
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YOU CAN ADVOCATE
by Forwarding this eNewsletter.
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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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| Employee Campaign Managers' (ECM) Corner |
| For all your tools & resources, please visit our Campaign Tools and Resources page in the Campaign section of our website uwiv.org.
NEW!! Click here to view the 08-09 Campaign Video. Everyone is encouraged to view this video.
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