 In this issue:
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D'Brickashaw Delivers!
On February 4th, New York Jets offensive lineman and University of Virginia alumnus D'Brickashaw Ferguson contacted United Way of Central Virginia (UWCV) to see if they would be interested in receiving a generous donation of 10,000 copies of his children's book, "Brick's Way, Go Green!"
 With the science fair just days away, the only person that can help a group of kids with their project is local football hero D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Transformed into "Little Brick," his mission is to help teach his new friends about "going green." Brick tackles the challenge, but will he get back to his football team in time for the big game?
UWCV happily accepted the donation offer and on February 25th the STEM-related books were delivered to UWCV's partner agency's warehouse, Lynchburg Sheltered Industries, where they will be temporarily housed until distribution days and channels can be determined. The book is leveled for third graders.
Pictured: Alan Womack, Sr. - Lynchburg Sheltered Industries
Mr. Ferguson has followed UWCV's activities after visiting two years ago and reading to Central Virginia children as part of a partnership between the NFL and United Way Worldwide. "We had an opportunity to give some books away [and] we had such a great experience with Virginia that we sought out the United Way again," Ferguson said.
The donation of the books to UWCV is fitting since both UWCV and Ferguson are spearheading separate regional Education Initiatives. Mr. Ferguson states, "The donation of the books was inspired by the [D'Brickashaw Ferguson] Foundation. I think one of the things that we were looking to do was to find connections to where we could be mentors to different levels of age groups. It's going to affect people's lives in a positive way."
Pictured: Marie Martin - Executive Director, UWCV, and
Dawn Wise - Director of Community Engagement & PR, UWCV
The United Way of Central Virginia's Education Readiness Initiative has a goal of getting 90% of third graders reading at grade level by 2025, and the book helps support this goal. The first priority for distribution will be making sure all Central Virginia third graders receive copies.
UWCV has contacted area school superintendents to offer the book, and has made arrangements for donations to all third grade students in the Appomattox County and Lynchburg City Public School divisions, as well as providing a copy to Campbell County Public Schools for review.
With about 2,600 area third graders, this year's and next year's third graders will take about half the books, and the UWCV hopes to distribute the rest to the Parks and Recreation Department in the surrounding areas, local libraries, as well as homeschooling groups and other interested parties. Anyone interested in receiving free copies should contact Dawn Wise, Director of Community Engagement and Public Relations at 455-6900 or dawn.wise@unitedwaycv.org.
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United Way Awards Breakfast
| Mark your calendar and buy your ticket for the annual UWCV Awards Breakfast! With a great 2014 campaign, there will be much to applaud and many to honor! 
*Thursday, March 26
*7:30am-9:30am
*Kirkley Hotel & Conference Center 2900 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg
*$20/person or $140/table of eight
Please make payment/reservations by March 19th. Call (434)846-8467 or email Amy Fisher.
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Nominate Someone Today!
| We are still accepting nominations for the Nancy L. Sorrells Memorial Award through March 13th.
Nancy L.  Sorrells worked for United Way of Central Virginia for 24 years before losing her battle with cancer in early 1999. As reflected by her character and personal drive to serve, Nancy worked tirelessly during her various treatments and demonstrated wonderful courage and fortitude.
This award is presented annually to a staff member of a human/social service organization whose professionalism and dedication reflects those characteristics embodied by Nancy during her twenty-four years of service to United Way of Central Virginia.
Click HERE for the nomination form.
For questions, please contact Joan Phelps, 455-6906.
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TED Talks
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From TEDxCharlottesville 2014
Holistic Life Foundation: Breathing Love Into Communities
Ali, Andy and Atman dedicate their lives to teaching inner city Baltimore youth the power of love through meditation, mindfulness, and breath.
TED is a nonprofit organization that features internationally-renowned speakers discussing topics in the areas of Technology, Entertainment, and Design. TED Talks are short video recordings of these discussions.
New TED Talk topics will be chosen each month and moderated by United Way staff or other members of the community. Round table discussion follows.
These talks are free and open to the public. Participants are welcome to purchase the White Hart Cafe's delicious beverages and breakfast items at the Saturday morning sessions.
Registration is not required, but appreciated. For more information, contact Tracy Price or like us on Facebook.
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United Way of Central Virginia's Grow One: Start-up for Young Entrepreneurs and the Center for Economic Education at Lynchburg College will hold our third annual Market Day March 26, 10am-noon, at Lynchburg College's Memorial Ballroom.
Market Day is the culminating event for Mini-Economy, an experience-based curriculum teaching entrepreneurship and economics while reinforcing multiple Standards of Learning.
This year, 51 elementary school entrepreneurial teams will present their micro businesses at Market Day. Local business owners will award prizes for Outstanding Entrepreneur, Most Innovative, and Outstanding Marketer.
Registration is required. Please RSVP to Tracy Price.
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Smart Beginnings Asks...
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 Join Smart Beginnings as they pair area professionals against some of the smartest 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders from across the region. Watch some familiar faces battle it out with the area's brightest youth in the categories of math, history, science, reading and pop culture!
Friday, April 17th, 6:00-8:30pm
Brookville Middle School
$10/adults; $5/children ages 4-12
Children under age four admitted free
Group rates available - call (434)455-6914.
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Lynchburg Cooks for Hunger Relief
|  Please join us for our 24th Annual Lynchburg Cooks for Hunger Relief on Monday, April 20th from 6-9pm at Phase 2. Over 30 local vendors will be showcasing their signature dishes/ beverages in support of three local agencies that are working to wipe out hunger in our region: CVACL (Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living), Lynchburg Daily Bread, and Bedford Christian Ministries. One hundred percent of ticket sales will be donated to these three locations to support hunger relief projects. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and can be purchased on our website (upper left-hand corner) or at Bulls Steakhouse, Charley's Restaurant or Phase 2.
This year's event is from 6-9pm and will showcase entertainment from Apple Butter Soul. Patrons can also experience a silent auction offering delectable restaurant gift certificates and items to suit any chef!
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Day of Caring
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Mark your calendar and start pulling together your  team of hard-working, fun-loving, community-minded friends!
Wednesday, May 20th will mark the 22nd anniversary for the community's largest one-day volunteer experience.
Agencies will be submitting projects this month and you can start signing up for them through the Get Connected website beginning in April.
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Young Leaders Society (YLS)
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 United Way recognizes that the leaders of tomorrow start today. People who not only talk about ideas but also shape those ideas into reality--who look around and see ways to improve the lives of others.
Are you between the ages of 18-40? Are you interested in joining like-minded individuals to make the greatest impact in our community? Do you like to volunteer, have fun and make a difference? YES? Then the YLS is for you!
Do you know a high school senior or college student looking for volunteerism opportunities to put on college applications or job resumes? Tell them to join YLS!
What is required? - Buy a $5 LIVE UNITED tee and promise to wear it often.
- Volunteer your time at a variety of events, fundraisers and awareness-raisers in our community.
- Bring your ideas, skills, input and know-how to monthly meetings.
- Tell a friend!
Follow the members of YLS on their journey to CONNECT.SERVE.LEAD. Join our email list HERE.
Next meeting is December 11th, 6:00pm at United Way of Central Virginia's office - 1010 Miller Park Square, Lynchburg
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This month's newsletter issponsored by one of our 
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We are pleased to introduce the newest
addition to our United Way staff - Cheryl Curcio, Director of Development. She says, "I am excited to be a part of the United Way of Central Virginia team. I look forward to working with an organization that makes such a positive impact in people's lives."
We would also like to express our appreciation for Vanessa Angus, Network & Database Administrator. Vanessa is celebrating her 20th year here at United Way - what a major accomplishment! The success & growth of our organization depends on employees like you, so THANK YOU!
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What is the WLC?
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The Women's Leadership Council (WLC) is a United Way of Central Virginia program that connects women through philanthropy, leadership and community activism. Together, women identify and address critical needs in the area such as education, health or income; raise funds to meet these needs; and collectively decide how the funds they raise will be distributed. Becoming advocates for a common goal fosters the Council members' own values of leadership and philanthropy even as hope and change are brought to the lives of others less fortunate.
Their mission is to mobilize the caring power of women who are united by a shared passion: improving the quality of life in their community.
What is expected from a member?
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Make a minimum financial commitment of $1,000 per year to the WLC (age 40 and above),or $500 per year (age 39 and under), above your annual contribution to the campaign
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Join a WLC subcommittee
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Host a WLC event
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Attend WLC events and encourage others to join
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Be a spokesperson for United Way and its Women's Leadership Council
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United Way Initiatives
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Need a referral? Have a question about services in your area? Call 2-1-1. It's the non-emergency answer to 9-1-1.
Get Connected is an easy-to-use web-based platform that matches the right donors, advocates, and volunteers with the right opportunities in our neighborhoods. Use Get Connected to find ways to give your unused materials and household items to agencies in need of donations, advocate for causes that require your passionate voice, and volunteer your time in ways that make a real difference. Sign up HERE.
Is your passion working to improve the quality of care and education for children from birth until kindergarten? That's the Smart Beginnings mission, and they do it well!
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Stay up-to-date with all the great things happening in our community and share photos and stories of your United Way fun!
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What a Shot!
Congrats to YLS member, Darrell Wargo, on his half-court shot at the LU Women's Basketball Game!
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