Live United - The FHUW Blog

Mark Your Calendars for Day of Caring 2008

Day of Caring 2008 is set for August 15th! Make plans now to join your friends and neighbors in one of Boulder and Broomfield Counties' largest one-day volunteer efforts. Check this space and the Foothills United Way website often for updated information. And while you're at it, check out our new DOC 2007 photo mashup:

To view this mashup in a larger format, click here. If the mashup does not appear on your screen, you may need to install Microsoft Silverlight, a relatively small program that enhances your video and multimedia options. Clicking the the "click here" link above will take you to a download page.

Volunteers Needed to Make Important Funding Decisions

Foothills United Way will enlist the help of approximately 40 volunteers from Boulder and Broomfield Counties this spring for its triennial allocations process. Those volunteers will review funding applications, ask tough questions, and make decisions based on proven outcomes, in order to distribute money to local nonprofit health and human service programs.

FHUW commits funds from its Community Safety Net fund for a three-year cycle. The volunteers will make funding decisions for 2009-2011. Volunteers will serve on one of four Allocations Panels, representing each of Foothills United Way's Impact Areas, or focused areas of demonstrated community need. Each program applying for funding fits into one of the Impact Areas; Providing for Community Basic Needs, Promoting Health and Healing, Strengthening Seniors Lives and Independence, and Nurturing and Supporting Children and Youth.

Allocation volunteers are required to attend an orientation in February, and will begin reviewing the funding applications in March. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer this year, please contact Kelli Rucker at Foothills United Way at 303-444-4013. You can also find more information on Foothills United Way’s website .

Increased Need, Declining Donations

On December 19, NBC Nightly News featured a story on the increased demand placed on charities recently. Many times, families that used to donate to their favorite charities are now having to ask for help. And this is happening in a time when donations to charities nationwide are declining.

The NBC Nightly News piece features a family from Denver. You can see the story here (it might run an ad first - since it's a commercial MSNBC site):

A new breed of need

The report comes on the heels of a new study here in Colorado which shows that, despite median income levels above the national average, Coloradoans fall behind the national average when it comes to charitable giving. The report was done by the Colorado Nonprofit Association and co-sponsored by Foothills United Way and other United Ways and Community Foundations throughout the state. Click here to view/download the full report from the Foothills United Way Website.

If you can help out this holiday season - whether through financial, volunteer, or in-kind donations such as food or clothing - please do so. If you need assistance directing your donation, contact Foothills United Way at 303-444-4013 or www.unitedwayfoothills.org.

If you need help, please contact the state's information and referral hotline by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting the Colorado 2-1-1 website.

Successful giving starts with homework and an "investment" attitude

You wouldn’t drop $2,000 or more on a new widescreen HDTV without doing some investigation and making sure it does everything you want it to do. And you wouldn't sink your retirement dollars into investments without research and homework on the funds or accounts you're considering.

It's important to take the same care when it comes to donating to charity. Philanthropic giving is an investment - in your community and in future generations. United Way urges every donor to check out everything, ask questions and make informed choices. Because the care you take now is directly related to the personal and/or community value of your investment in the years to come.

With the holidays upon us, many people are now considering their large donations for 2007; to whom they plan to give and how much. So the timing to talk about it couldn't be better. There is a great new article on the United Way of America web site with some tips for successful charitable giving. You can read the full article here. Really, it's applicable whether you're planning a large lump sum gift, donating via payroll deducation, giving in-kind donations or even volunteering.

If you have any questions at all about charitable giving in general or about options available through Foothills United Way, please call, email us or visit our website. We want to help you make the most of your giving choices.

The Weather Outside Can Be Frightful.....

Who remembers what they were doing last December 20th? If you live along Colorado's Front Range...odds are you were snowed in, or attempting to dig out. And you were that way for several days, because another storm hit a few days later. And again a few days later. Sound repetitive?

Not only did the snow get old....but it was also a very dangerous situation. It can be anytime winter weather hits hard and without much warning. You can take some simple steps, though, to keep yourself and your family safe in cold-weather conditions and weather emergencies. There's a new article on the Foothills United Way website with some tips, ideas, and lots of resources. Click here to view the full article, and let's stay careful (and warm) out there!

Warm Up Someone's Holiday

For the past three years, Foothills United Way has given Boulder and Broomfield County residents the opportunity to make a very warm difference in the lives of those in need. Our Socks & Mittens Drive began in 2004 with a simple goal: to suppliment the many great coat drives that happen each year with a drive to cover other very necessary winter clothing items.

The 2004 drive was good. 2005's was better. And last year was the most successful so far with nearly 2,500 cold-weather items - socks, mittens, hats and scarves - being donated. We're hoping that this year's 4th Annual Socks & Mittens Drive will be the best ever. With your help - it definitely will be.

So, how can you help? Simple. Start by visiting our web site or call us at 303-444-4013. If you're with a local company, club or organization and would like to host Socks & Mittens collection bins for your employees, members or the public, we'll set you up with everything you need. If you're a private individual looking to donate - we'll tell you where you can drop off your items.

The drive runs from November 14th through December 15th, and we ask that you donate new, unused socks, mittens, hats and scarves. All donations will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations who assist individuals and families in need. We thank you, as does your community!