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MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITIES
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To Our Faithful Supporters,
With 2012 behind us and a new year underway, we would like to stop and take a moment just to say thank you. Each and every one of you matters to United Way of St. Joseph County and to our community.
We are sincerely grateful for all of you who give of your time, talents and finances to further our mission. We are honored that you choose every day to work with United Way to help make our community an even better place to live and work. We are grateful for your partnership, your sacrifices and your words of encouragement. You motivate us to do a great job every day.
So to you - our volunteers, donors, community partners, funded agency partners, collaborative partners, and supporters - we say thank you. We couldn't make the impact we do without you.
It's all because of you! You Matter!
Thank you,
United Way Board & Team Members
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 1st Source Sponsors Pro$perity Building Campaign
A big thank you goes out to our great community partner, 1st Source Bank, for proudly sponsoring the Pro$perity Building Campaign, which makes services like Volunteer Income Tax Assistance possible. Through the Pro$perity Building Campaign, United Way is working to meet basic needs, build family support systems, increase income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets.
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 Meridian Title Corp Produces Largest Campaign Ever
A huge thank you goes out to Meridian Title Corp and its generous employees. MTC produced its largest campaign ever and sponsored the campaign kickoff event! 86% employees in St. Joseph Co. were donors. The total dollars donated to us in 2012-13 increased by 77% over the 2011 campaign! Mark Myers, CEO of MTC and UWSJC Campaign Chair, had exceptional leadership in facilitating these accomplishments, and he and the Meridian Title team truly know what it means to LIVE UNITED!
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 WSBT Partners with UWSJC to Promote 2-1-1
Thank you to our local news leader, WSBT, for partnering with United Way of St. Joseph County to promote 2-1-1! Watch Stormtracker and WSBT 2 to see PSAs and 4 second IDs telling people how to get the help they need by dialing 2-1-1. Click here for more information about 2-1-1, and click here to watch the ID.
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2012-13 Fundraising Update
Over $2.6 million has been raised thus far towards United Way's 2012-13 annual fundraising efforts. We are so thankful for all of our donors and sponsors! We are also thankful for the support of many workplaces that run internal United Way fundraising campaigns. Below are some highlights from the workforce campaigns:
- South Bend Medical Foundation exceeded last year's total and topped all prior year's giving and participation! Also, 2012 marked their first corporate gift.
- MPA Architects attained 100% participation with a 16.6% increase in total contributions!
- Martin's Supermarket realized a 17% increase over last year's contribution total!
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 UW Tops Annual Forbes List
United Way continues to top the annual Forbes list of the largest U.S. charities, and, in a new category created this year by Forbes, United Way is one of five "Forbes Picks: All-Star Charities - Top Rankings for Efficient Groups." Click here to read more.
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Poverty Analysis Shows Importance of Tax Credits
The U.S. Census Bureau released its Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) findings for 2011, showing its research taking into account estimates of people's income and expenditures that more accurately reflect current patterns. Click here to read more.
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 Letter From Mark Myers, 2013 Campaign Chair
"I'm curious about why people donate to not-for-profit organizations -- or why they don't. When I became United Way's 2012 campaign chair, I discovered I'd been clueless about United Way's impact in our county. Although I'd heard that a high percentage of each donation didn't remain local, I was misinformed. So, I want to tell you what I've learned and also ask for your support."
Click here to read the rest of Mark's letter.
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 Letter from Kay Ball, UWSJC President/CEO
When the business, government and charitable sectors are all equally strong, communities thrive.In this time of pending government budget cuts, it is especially critical that the charitable sector remains strong. The fiscal situation is dire. However, if Congress attempts to solve the dilemma by further shifting the burden to those at the bottom of the economic scale, the vitality of communities -- including ours -- will be placed at risk."
Click here to read the rest of Kay's letter.
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 VITA Tax Appointments File your taxes for free! Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provides IRS-Certified Volunteer Tax Preparers who will e-file income taxes for free. In order to be eligible, you must live in St. Joseph, Marshall, LaPorte, Kosciusko or Elkhart County and have a gross income (for an individual or family) of less than $51,000. For more information or to schedule your appointment, visit www.unitedwaytaxhelp.org or call 2-1-1. |
WSBT Scout Day
WSBT is inviting all scout groups to come out for a private tour of its facilities. Scouts will tour the WSBT TV and radion stations, meet the staff, go behind the scenes, get their pictures taken on the WSBT news set, and get a badge! For more information, click here.
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 "Like" UWSJC on Facebook!
Connect with UWSJC on Facebook! Be the first to know what's going on at United Way and in our community. Click here to like our page!
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 Get Connected with United Way
If you would like to become involved with United Way in a new way, consider conducting a UW workforce campaign in your place of business, or give a corporate gift. To learn more, contact Mark Myers or Phil Gray.
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Team HEAT/Adopt a Family
Join Team HEAT and "adopt a family and heat a home!" Team HEAT helps families stay warm in the winter, and you can help! For $300 you can provide a family with 5 months of assistance. Click here for more information or download the flyer.
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United Way Partners with FamilyWize to Decrease Prescription Costs
As of December 31, 2012, the FamilyWize-United Way partnership with local pharmacies has saved people living or working in this area more than $1,689,507 on everyday prescription costs for conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and many others. Click here to read more.
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Emergency Food & Shelter Grant
The St. Joseph County Emergency Food and Shelter Board, directed by United Way of St. Joseph County Financial Stability Division, announced that it has completed the allocations process for 2012 Phase 30 Emergency Food and Shelter grant funds. Click here to read more about the Emergency Food and Shelter grant.
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IaUW 2013 Policy Priorities
Indiana Association of United Ways has released its Policy Priorities for 2013. IaUW advocates for policies primarily in four priority areas: - Early Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Strong Communities
Click here for more information and to read the full article on UWSJC's website.
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Mike Brey, Men's Basketball Coach, University of Notre Dame
"I'm excited to work with the United Way to serve this community that has meant so much to me over the past 13 years. The United Way's focus on the education, income, and health of our community has such a meaningful impact. I hope you will join me in supporting this year's campaign."
> Download the poster
Sally Brown, President/General Manager, WSBT, Inc.
"WSBT Radio Group and WSBT TV have been supporting United Way for many years because we believe in their mission and appreciate all they do for our community. As an employee, we hope you'll help support United Way's mission by giving as much as you can. Thank you for any contribution you make."
Chris Murphy, President, Chairman & CEO, 1st Source Bank
"WIth United Way we know our money is efficiently raised and effectively used for the good of our friends and neighbors."
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Todd Schurz, President & CEO, Schurz Communication, Inc.
"I give to United Way because it is the most effective way to help people for today and tomorrow. It not only meets immediate human needs, but also helps people gain the skills and opportunities to better live their lives."
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Gary Fox, Partner, Crowe Horwath
"During these difficult, uncertain economic times, we all want to do something to bring stability to our lives and make things better for ourselves, our families, our friends and our community. That's why United Way focuses on the basic things we all need for a better life: education, income and health. Because when individuals live better, neighborhoods thrive, our area prospers and we all benefit. Make a difference not just for today, but also for tomorrow. LIVE UNITED!"
> Download the poster
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Leadership Blog 
The Power of Coaching
Understanding the role coaching plays in helping responsible leaders make large strides in their abilities quickly > Read the full article
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Inspirational Quotes From the Indiana Association of United Ways
● Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
● What I gave, I have; what I spent, I had; what I kept, I lost." - Old Epitaph
● To give aid to every poor man is far beyond the reach and power of every man. Care of the poor is incumbent on society as a whole." - Baruch Spinoza
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