Winter 2009 Newsletter

Winter 2009 e-Newsletter

United Way of Lebanon County

BUNDLING UP LEBANON:
First ever LIVE WARM Collection delivers warmth thanks to overwhelming support.

LIVE WARM donations. Hats, mittens and scarves ... oh my! That's what the United Way of Lebanon County staff and local agencies were singing this month thanks to the tremendous success of the first ever LIVE WARM collection. Area businesses, churches, organizations, clubs and individuals collected hats, mittens, gloves and scarves for children and adults starting in mid-November.

40 laundry baskets full of donations were collected and given to area agencies and shelters, such as Lebanon County Christian Ministries, DVI, Agape and the WIC program.

The idea for LIVE WARM, came after the success of the Stuff the Bus school supply collection held this past summer. Lebanon County residents donated 900 book bags and over 1,000 pounds of school supplies to area schools, after school programs and needy children.

"We feel the LIVE WARM collection [was] so important to our community because there is a huge need," said Emily Guilliams, Director of Development and Communications at United Way of Lebanon County.

At an agency roundtable event held last month, Troy Williams, Executive Director for LCCM, revealed that the agency has seen a 20% increase in the amount of people coming through its doors asking for clothing. LCCM staff estimates that 6,000 clothing items are handed out to needy individuals and families every month.

Live Warm tree. "LIVE WARM is a way to help ensure that needy Lebanon County residents can stay warm this winter and save a few extra dollars that can be put towards the important things - like food and money to pay for the rising fuel oil bill," said United Way's AmeriCorps*VISTA member Megan Hoffa during radio interviews with WQIC's Steve Todd and WLBR's Greg Lyons.

2009 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Chair is optimistic about reaching campaign goal, encourages continued outreach

Dennis Gearhart. We're getting close to Christmas Day and also the end of this year's United Way Campaign. I'm excited to say that at this moment we have reached 80% of our $1.9 million goal or $1.535 million. I can say that "we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel;" however, I know that the last 20% will be the most difficult to attain. I do know that everyone involved with United Way of Lebanon County remains optimistic about reaching this year's goal as we begin the last weeks of the campaign. Let's finish this campaign "strong" by contacting as many people as possible to provide them with the opportunity to make differences in people's lives.

I would certainly like to express my gratitude to those who helped in any way with this year's Day of Caring, Stuff the Bus and Live Warm campaigns, and certainly to everyone that made a financial contribution. Because of your help and generosity, people's needs are being met, families are being strengthened and futures are being built.

I learned early in this campaign that I was very dependent on many people to make this year's campaign successful and provide the financial capacity needed to support all the programs United Way sponsors throughout the year. Again let me give everyone a big "THANK-YOU" for all your effort and help.

It is my wish that you all have the best of holiday seasons and a new year filled with the hope of a bright tomorrow.

Dennis G. Gearhart

2009 United Way Campaign Chair

Cards save Lebanon County residents thousands on prescription drugs

Did you know that you or someone you know could be saving an average of $20.35 on prescription drugs in Lebanon County?

With the cost of prescriptions on the rise and the family pocket book tightening up you probably know all too well that families in Lebanon County are struggling to pay for the medications they need to stay healthy. Many of us our fortunate enough to have health insurance or Medicare that helps to cover the cost of pricey prescriptions; but, could you imagine not having a prescription plan, or worse, not having health insurance?

This is why United Way of Lebanon County is partnering with Family Wize to bring free prescription discount cards to those in need in Lebanon County.

If you, or someone you know, is without health insurance or insurance that covers the cost of prescription drugs consider getting a Family Wize prescription discount drug card. There are no age or income restrictions, enrollment, activation or fees and the card is good for all prescription drugs.

Most area pharmacies throughout Lebanon County honor these discount cards, and a full listing of participating pharmacies can be found on the United Way or Lebanon County's website or through a simple search at www.familywize.org.

FamilyWize cards are available at many local agencies, clinics, pharmacies or print one for yourself online. Cards do not expire and they can be photocopied to be given to family, friends, co-workers and the list goes on!

For more information on the program, please visit www.familywize.org or the Family Wize tab at www.unitedwaylebco.org.

Agency Spotlight:

Domestic Violence Intervention

When you think of Domestic Violence Intervention, chances are that you don't think of the more than one thousand adults who, last year, received some form of assistance when dealing with their abusive relationships. And more than likely you assume that these adults are women. However, you are making inaccurate assumptions about this agency that receives funding from United Way of Lebanon County.

It's an unfortunate reality that more than 100 women and men seek help from a DVI agency in Pennsylvania every hour. However, it's not just adults that DVI helps. In 2008, DVI of Lebanon County assisted more than 120 children affected by domestic violence.

"People like to pretend [domestic violence is] not happening to children," said Diane Pietkiewicz, Public Education Coordinator for DVI of Lebanon County.

DVI Children's Room. But, the sad fact is that children are subject to domestic violence or see examples of unhealthy relationships every day; whether it's at home or on television. This is why, thanks in part to a United Way Community Needs Grant, DVI is reaching out to children through the "I'm Safe Program" and "Leadership Lunches." Pietkiewicz takes her message about healthy relationships to area schools and talks to identified students about domestic violence and how to spot unhealthy relationships.

"It always surprises me that they all know exactly what domestic violence is," she said. Shockingly, a majority of these children see domestic violence or abuse in their own home and just need someone to talk to about it.

"That's the hardest thing for me ... no one is talking about," said Pietkiewicz.

Pietkiewicz revealed that during one of her Leadership Lunches a young girl disclosed to her that she was sexually assaulted. Without the opportunity to talk about unhealthy relationships, Pietkiewicz would have never been able to report what had happened to this girl and facilitate getting her into the counseling she needed.

"We don't get to see huge successes because we only see people for a short amount of time or ... the accomplishment comes long after we've planted the seed," said Pietkiewicz. "[But,] it's rewarding to see that you've given [these children] the seed." Read more.

IN THIS ISSUE ...

Live Warm success!
Letter from the Campaign Chair
Save the Date calendar
FamilyWize prescription discount cards
Day of Caring
Agency Spotlight: DVI
Getting money back with VITA.

Check out our website!

A lot of change has been taking place on the United Way of Lebanon County's website. Watch our new videos, get information about special programs, volunteer opportunities and more! Simply click the logo below:

SAVE THE DATE:

Upcoming United Way of Lebanon County events

Incentive Drawing
When: January 13, 2010

Time: TBA

Place: United Way offices,
801 Cumberland St., Lebanon

Join us as we pick the winners of our 2009 campaign incentives. Will you be the lucky winner this year?

Campaign Victory Celebration
When: January 21, 2010
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Place: Lebanon Farmers Market, 35 S. Eighth St., Lebanon

All are invited to celebrate the successes of our 2009 campaign! No RSVP required.

Day of Caring
When: April 24, 2010
Time: 9 a.m. - noon

Place: ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY!

Sign-ups are due by February 12, 2010 to Khrista Dechert. Call 273-8144 or email her. See the Day of Caring article below for more information!

Day of Caring 2010:

What you need to know

On Saturday, April 24, 2010 people throughout Lebanon County will don their LIVE UNITED shirts and roll up their sleeves for Day of Caring.

Held annually, Day of Caring shows the people of Lebanon County first-hand the important programs of our not-for-profit agencies through volunteer work projects. It is a visible expression of our work to build a caring community and that financial contributions aren't the only way to GIVE to the community.

Agencies or groups wishing to participate should contact Khrista Dechert at 273-8144 or send her an email for a registration form. Forms are due to the United Way of Lebanon County's office by February 12, 2010.

Volunteer teams and agencies will be informed of their assignments by early April. Agencies will then contact volunteers to work out the final details of their work projects.

For more information, visit our website.

See more $$$$ with the VITA program

Getting the tax credits you deserve at no cost to you!

Last year, United Way of Lebanon County was able to bring over $116,000 back into the pockets of deserving Lebanon County families thanks to its partnership with the Lebanon County Money in your Pocket Coalition's VITA program.

VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, is a program sponsored by the IRS that provides free tax preparation services to people who made less than $50,000 in 2009. Qualifying individuals and families can have their taxes done by IRS-certified, volunteer tax preparers who use IRS software to ensure that each client served gets the most money back through the application of tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Education Credits and many more!

Forty nine volunteers are currently in training to gain their IRS certification and thanks to a United Way Community Needs grant the Lebanon County Money in your Pocket Coalition will open a site at the Hispanic Center(CALAL), 406 N. Ninth St., Lebanon.

Last year volunteers at the Lebanon Democratic Headquarters site, 23 S. Sixth St., Lebanon, completed 147 returns and the hope is to increase that number thanks to the addition of more volunteers. Also, the Coalition is hoping to expand its reach to more in the County through special tax events to be held throughout the tax season.

Currently, three VITA sites exist within Lebanon County at the following locations:

1. Democratic Headquarters,

2. Hispanic Center and

3. Lebanon Valley College.

All three sites will open in late January. Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling Community Action Partnership at 273-9328 or Lebanon Valley College at 867-6054. No appointments will be scheduled until January 15, 2010.

Interested in having promotional materials for VITA at your agency or business? Contact Megan Hoffa at the United Way, 273-8144 or mhoffa@unitedwaylebco.org.

Visit the United Way of Lebanon County's website

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