United Way of Greater Williamsburg

GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER.

2014

SUMMER NEWSLETTER

Photograph by Lindsey Lyons Photography

Who's excited about warmer weather?

Photograph by Lindsey Lyons Photography

Summer is Here!

The United Way Community Resource Center (CRC) is preparing for an extremely hot summer. The CRC is in need of summer items, such as bottled water, sunscreen, bug spray, fans, hats, sunglasses, and a bench to place at our front entrance so that families may sit in the shade while waiting for an appointment.

Community Resource Center

Fall Festival

The CRC is getting ready for its FIRST Fall Festival. We are inviting partner agencies to participate in making the Fall Festival an informative and enjoyable event for our CRC clients. The CRC Fall Festival will provide an opportunity to inform clients about multiple agency through

"Trunk or Treat". Participants decorate the back of a vehicle and pass out candy and information in a safe and fun environment. We are projecting an event date during the first week of October. If you would like to sponsor the event or provide food or material donations, contact Kim Rodriguez at 229-2222.

THANK YOU

A BIG Thank You to Lindsey Lyons with LLyonsPhotography.com and Keith Reagan at

KeithReagan.com for donating their time and expertise to United Way of Greater Williamsburg.

Lindsey Lyons donated a photo shoot that took place on

June 27th with all the United Way staff, Board Members, Volunteers, partnered agencies and funded agencies. To view the pictures visit our Facebook page or website.

Keith Reagan donated his time for United Way's 2014 campaign video. Keith has been a long time supporter of United Way and has donated numerous Day of Caring videos that capture the feeling and emotion of the day. The video will be available for viewing on the United Way of Greater Williamsburg YouTube station once complete along with the past Day of Caring videos.

Summer Highlight:

Meredith Collins and Mike Snow

Thank you to Meredith Collins and Mike Snow for supporting the Welcome Home Guest House Re-Entry Program and making a positive impact on one of the residents.

Meredith Collins from Collins Group, LLC. recently donated a vehicle to one of the Welcome Home Re-Entry Guest House residents. The donated vehicle allows the resident, Christian, to get to and from his two jobs. Reflecting on the donation Mrs. Collins said "Our friend, Gaither, passed away recently. His belongings, including his 1996 Explorer, were given to me and my husband, Joe. We did not need the vehicle so we wanted to give it to someone who did. I knew that Sharon had started a program for helping those who have been incarcerated get a new start. We have a friend who had served some time in prison and we are very familiar with the challenges of starting a new life upon release. We thought it would be a good idea to help someone in this circumstance."

Sharon introduced Meredith and Christian and they began the donation process. Meredith and Joe bought some parts needed for the vehicle and Mike Snow, Store Manager of Advance Auto Parts in Kilmarnock, donated the remaining $300 worth of parts to get the Explorer in working order. Together, Sharon's Husband, Kevin, and Christian worked on the Explorer. A couple of weeks later Christian had his own vehicle thanks to the generosity of Meredith, Joe, Mike, Sharon and Kevin.

Thank You to

Food Pantry Sponsors:

April: Saint Bede Catholic Church

May: Chesapeake Bank

June: Wendy Williams with

William E. Wood Reality

July: Williamsburg United

Methodist Church

UPCOMING EVENTS:

DINE OUT TO

SUPPORT UWGW

3rd Friday Every Month

Enjoy Lunch or Dinner at Baker's Crust in WMBG & 15% of your check will benefit United Way programs in Greater Williamsburg. Be sure to tell your server that you want to support United Way.

Next United Way Day is July 18.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY IS HERE!

Stop by Yankee Candle on Richmond Road in Williamsburg to donate School Supplies or Nonperishable Foods and

receive a coupon for a

FREE Fragrance Sphere

(valid with a $40 purchase) when you bring a donation to the store.

It's a Baby Shower

Join us for an evening of celebrating you and your baby!

July 24, 2014 from 5 - 7pm

at CrossWalk Community Church

7575 Richmond Road. For expectant parents, a support person, and parents of infants 4 months and younger. Please RSVP to Jackie Withers-Johnson

at (757) 566-3300 by July 18.

Annual Superhero 5K Event

August 9th at the Vineyards of Williamsburg. For more information visit:

http://www.cdr.org/index.php/news-events/5krace/

2014 Day of Caring

Friday, September 19th

Start gathering your team now for United Way of Greater Williamsburg's Largest Event Of The Year. No team is too large or small. Sign up today through our website:

www.uwgw.org/volunteer