Live United - The FHUW Blog

President, First Lady launch nationwide volunteering initiative

On Monday, first lady Michelle Obama and several members of the Obama Cabinet spread out around the country to kick off United We Serve, an initiative of the Obama administration to increase the level of volunteerism nationwide.

The first lady, along with California first lady Maria Shriver, helped build a playground in San Francisco.  President Obama, who is expected to take part in a volunteer project later in the week, first announced the intiative and the new website www.serve.gov in a web video last week.

This announcement and nationwide initiative gives us a chance to again remind all of our United Way friends and supporters of the importance of volunteerism.  Giving money and talking about the causes you support are only part of the process of building stronger communities.  Volunteering is critical;   whether it's building playgrounds, delivering meals to homebound people, tutoring at-risk kids or sorting donations at a food pantry.  The time you give is every bit as important as the dollars you give.

If you'd like information on how and where to volunteer, there are several options.  You can dial 2-1-1 or visit the Colorado 2-1-1 website, you can visit the Volunteer Connection online, or you can contact us here at Foothills United Way. 

New report: social services take a hit in 2008 charitable giving

by Barbara B. Pingrey

On Wednesday, June 10, Giving USA released its findings on charitable giving in 2008. Giving USA is a public outreach initiative of Giving USA Foundation™ which endeavors to advance philanthropy through research and education. The results of this most recent study are both disturbing and encouraging at the same time.

Remembering that the economic conditions we are now experiencing were not on many people’s horizons even 12 months ago, this study shows giving exceeding $300 billion for the second year in a row. Yet the decline from 2007, when adjusted for inflation, is 5.7%. This is the first year of decline in current dollars since 1987 and the steepest drop-off since 1956.

Although nearly every category of nonprofit is feeling the impact of a reduction in giving, amazingly, just when people need help with basic needs, one of the hardest hit groups was social services. This area saw a 16% decrease at the same time when 54% of the service providers reported an increase in demand. And this demand continues to rise.

Boulder and Broomfield Counties are fortunate to have in place agencies, programs and systems that are innovative and successful in addressing the human service needs of the area. The programs use evidence-based practices and are able to substantiate their successes. All this is great---but the fact remains that there is a saturation point even for the best program; a point where the needs exceed the financial capacity. So the question for the rest of us is, "In this economic climate, how do we increase the capacity and for how long can we do it? "

There’s no magic wand, no easy answer. But if we continue to work together, we will continue to move forward. Our regional human services strategic plan is a good start. We will find ways to create greater efficiencies, eliminate duplication of services, provide for agencies to spend more time on direct service provision, and share our successes with the community. And then we can build on those successes. Donations and funding are, of course, critical to these successes; but they are not the only pieces. Given this new report and the immediate economic forecast, we all will need to explore every possibility to make certain our communities and the people in them have food, shelter, medical care and other essential services that sustain their very lives.

You can read the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s article on the report here, or click here to read Giving USA’s press release. If you’d like information on how you can help through giving, advocacy or volunteering, contact us at info@unitedwayfoothills.org or 303-444-4013.

How I Live United

My name is Barbara Pingrey. I have been first a donor, then a volunteer and now staff at United Way. When I think about how I LIVE UNITED, I realize that it is about so much more even than the perspective offered by United Way. It is about how our community treats itself and every person in it, however you define community. 

I grew up in the 1960’s in a single parent home. My mother, widowed at a young age, struggled to keep our small family together. But I didn’t realize I was part of a statistic until, as an adult, just a few years ago I read a study comparing children in single parent homes today with those in the 60’s. I didn’t know that as one of “those children” I was not supposed to do as well in school, that my behaviors, my health and, indeed, my whole life was at-risk. I believe I was able to thrive because my community knew how to LIVE UNITED. The everyday lessons were simple and clear: be honest, be respectful and share what you have when it will help someone. And you were held accountable. 

Today those same principles guide my actions and my life. I know that I alone cannot create sustainable positive change, but I can encourage others to help. I can reach out my hand, lend my voice, take action. It takes each person doing what he or she can; no more, no less. Together, united, we can and do make our community a better place.

Foothills United Way wants to hear about how you LIVE UNITED.  If you have a story you'd like to share, contact Pat Monacelli at pmonace@unitedwayfoothills.org.  

Give5: A small way to make a big difference

The idea behind Give5 is simple – donate $5 to United Way, tell 5 friends about it and ask them to tell five friends, and so on. 

 

Foothills United Way has officially launched its Give5 program.  Giving is easy – simply visit liveunitedfoothills.org, click on the Give5 link, and access our secure online donating tool.  Then forward a message with your good deed to five of your friends and ask them to do the same. 

 

It’s that simple…and the impact can be enormous.  The ripple effect of that giving will help to meet basic needs for local families in need, help people get access to health care services, help make sure that kids are ready to learn and make smart choices, and help seniors remain healthy and independent.

 

It doesn’t take a lot to do a whole lot of good.  Please Give5 and spread the word. 

 

Give.  Advocate.  Volunteer.  LIVE UNITED.

Day of Caring 2009 - Volunteer registration is underway

August 14th seems so far away, yet oh so close! 

As you know by now, 8/14 is the day for Day of Caring 2009.  And volunteer registration is now underway. 

Again this year, Day of Caring volunteer projects will take place from 8:00am - Noon at locations all over Boulder and Broomfield Counties.  The projects will be followed by the annual Day of Caring Picnic at Gateway Park Fun Center.  This picnic is a celebration of Day of Caring AND the official kick-off of the 2009 Community Support Campaign.

Our community came out in droves in 2008, even in the rain, and set a local Day of Caring record with more than 900 participants contributing more than $73,000 worth of volunteer hours.  Can we do even better in '09.  Absolutely!

Team and individual volunteer registration for this year's event is open until June 19th For registration details, email jstearns@unitedwayfoothills.org, or call Foothills United Way at 303-444-4013. 

Give. Advocate. Volunteer.  LIVE UNITED.

Day of Caring Team Leader Workshops

 

Foothills United Way's 2009 Day of Caring (DOC) is fast approaching.  August 14th is the day, and we're gearing up for another record-breaking number of volunteers this year! 

 

Our DOC Team Leader Workshops are coming up soon.  These workshops are an important part of the DOC process.  They

take all the guesswork out of the process of submitting volunteer teams, registering volunteers, and choosing projects.  In one hour, you'll review how to use the Day of Caring website to easily manage your team online and learn about the 2009 timeline.

 

All team leaders are required to attend one workshop to learn about the new and improved process for Day of Caring.

 

IMPORTANT:  Even if you've participated in Day of Caring in prior years, you'll need to attend this year.  The Day of Caring website is improved and the process & timeline for 2009 has changed!

This year's Team Leader Workshops are on Thursday, May 14th from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., or on Monday, May 18th from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.  To register for a workshop, please contact Joan Stearns, or call our office at 303-444-4013.