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Stuff the Bus success:
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The United Way of Lebanon County's (UWLC) first ever Stuff the Bus event was not only a success, but a true testament to the United Way's mission of Advocate. Give. Volunteer. Many community volunteers, businesses and individuals pulled together to collect 700 book bags, 1,000 pounds of school supplies and $2,000 in donations that allowed for the purchase of over 200 additional book bags.
The road to this success took place in three stages, over a three month period.
ADVOCATE in June.
The idea for Stuff the Bus came from UWLC's Director of Development and Communications, Emily Guilliams.
"I became aware of the program from some other United Ways that had done it," said Guilliams. "I thought it would be a great initiative for us to do [because] we had become aware that there were a lot of needs out there."
Planning for the Stuff the Bus initiative began in June. United Way staff met with Betty Holsopple, coordinator for Quality Early Learning of Lebanon County, to devise a game plan of how school supplies would be distributed.
From there it was an overwhelming advocate response. UWLC staff members, board members, businesses and volunteers spread the word about the initiative to their friends, families, co-workers, neighbors and countless others.
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| It's Not All About the Shirt:
New theme emphasizes stories |
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"Between shaping our careers and shaping our family, we're shaping our community by giving to United Way and insuring a better life for our child ... we don't just wear the shirt, we live it."
This story is just one of many stories that encompass the 2009 United Way theme: "We don't just wear the shirt ... we live it!"
 In 2008, the United Way found ways to LIVE UNITED. Volunteers, staffers and other community members donned white t-shirts with that very statement big and bold for all to see. This year, those shirts play a key role, but it's more about the stories of those that Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
The United Way of Lebanon County (UWLC) is striving to drive this message home to inspire those that give, advocate and volunteer for us to keep on doing so. Also, through the touching stories in our community, hopefully we can inspire others to help out along the way.
Thanks to Simone Associates, Inc., Fresh Creative, Colortech, Inc. and Bayer HealthCare, UWLC is creating a brochure that resonates the new theme with positive stories and calls to action. This new brochure is on its way, but in the meantime get your LIVE UNITED shirt, and this campaign season, find ways to LIVE IT! |
| THE 2009 GIFT GRANTS:
One gift can impact thousands
The Ed & Jeanne Arnold Challenge Grant |
With campaign season right around the corner, the United Way of Lebanon County is thankful to offer donors the Ed & Jeanne Arnold Challenge Grant.
For those donors who generously increase their giving from last year by 10%, Ed and Jeanne Arnold will match your increase, up to $50,000. This means that your gift will be increased by 20% overall.
The UWLC ecstatically thanks Ed and Jeanne Arnold for sponsoring this grant and look forward to a fantastic campaign season!
The Francis J. Dixon Foundation Bonus Matching Grant
The Francis J. Dixon Foundation has generously agreed to step up and match any first time gift* - dollar for dollar to the 2009 Lebanon County campaign, up to $50,000.
Make a first time gift (of any amount) to the United Way of Lebanon County and have it matched - doubling your gift.
*First time gifts are considered to be those individuals that have not given to the 2008 Lebanon County campaign, but will be giving this year. So, if you gave in 2007 or before, and missed us last year, your gift will be doubled this year! |
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Agency Spotlight:
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 Driving down Chestnut Street into the heart of Lebanon City, you may take number 513 for granted; however, this impressive building is home to a small staff with a big mission: provide free legal aid for low-income families.
MidPenn Legal Services is a private, non-profit, public interest law firm that represents low-income families, as defined by the federal government, in civil matters. Operating for over 40 years in 18 Pennsylvania counties including Lebanon, the issues that MidPenn staff helps individuals and families with are: domestic violence, custody, housing, health care, consumer law, employment law, elder law and public benefits. A large amount of cases involve family law matters, most notably custody cases.
The office helps people like Bonita, who was up to her neck in debt and was in fear of losing her car, her home; but, worst of all she lost her husband to serious health issues. With the husband whom she had cared for and quit her job to take care of gone, Bonita found herself living on a meager Social Security check, unemployed and barely getting by. Desperate for help, and suffering from depression among other health issues, Bonita came to MidPenn and met with Attorney James Orgass. Orgass consulted with a MidPenn paralegal who specialized in Social Security. The MidPenn staff fought for Bonita and was able to get her Social Security disability, a medical assistance card and negotiate with the bank to save her home. Now, Bonita has a steady income stream, benefits and a roof over her head; something she may not have found without the services provided by MidPenn.
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| In this issue ... |
- Stuff the Bus
- New VISTA member
- Save the Date calendar
- NEW! theme
- Ed & Jeanne Arnold Challenge Grant
- Francis J. Dixon Foundation Bonus Mathing Grant
- Agency Spotlight: MidPenn
- Kicking off the 2009 campaign
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| STUFF THE BUS THANK YOUS: |
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First and foremost, we would like to thank all the community members, volunteers and board members who helped make this Stuff the Bus a success! Also, thanks to the following companies and agencies for their support:
- Brightbill Body Works
- Lebanon County Christian Ministries
- Quality Early Learning
- Arc of Dauphin & Lebanon Counties
- Bayer HealthCare
- Domestic Violence Intervention
- First National Bank of Fredericksburg
- Fulton Bank
- The Hershey Company
- Hispanic Outreach
- Lebanon Community Libraries
- MidPenn Legal Services
- Phoenix Youth Center
- PROBE
- QUEST, Inc.
- Salvation Army
- SARCC
- YMCA
- YMCA Child Care
This list is by no means all-inclusive. For a full list of all companies, agencies, organizations, etc. that contributed please read the Stuff the Bus article to the left. There were many other agencies and companies that helped in many ways. To all, THANK YOU! |
| Save the Date:
Calendar of Upcoming UWLC Events |
Report Meeting #1
When: Oct. 14, 2009
Time: 12n - 1 p.m.
Place: Salem Lutheran Church, Lebanon |
Report Meeting #2 & "Live Warm" Kick-off
When: Nov. 18, 2009
Time: 12n - 1 p.m.
Place: Salem Lutheran Church, Lebanon
United Way of Lebanon County will be collecting mittens, gloves, scarves and hats to be given to Lebanon County Christian Ministries. |
"Live Warm" Delivery
When: Dec. 16, 2009
Time: 1 p.m.
The Campaign Cabinet will deliver all collected warm attire to Lebanon County Christian Ministry. |
| Kicking off the campaign right! |
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On Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 a.m. at the Lantern Lodge, Myerstown the United Way of Lebanon County held its 2009 campaign kick-off breakfast.
This event featured the theme of LIVE UNITED ... we don't just wear the shirt, we live it! and entertainment was provided by the Lebanon High School Show Choir.
Over 200 people attended this year's kick-off. Master of ceremonies, Dennis Shalters, and campaign chair, Dennis Gearhart, unveiled this year's campaign goal of:
$1.9 million.
For pictures of this year's event, please visit the United Way of Lebanon County's Facebook page by clicking the JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE link below! |
| Volunteer Opportunities |
| Interested in directly helping the agencies the United Way of Lebanon County supports? Consider giving your time as a volunteer!
Currently, the United Way of Lebanon County, Lebanon County Community Action Partnership (CAP) and RSVP are looking for volunteers for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site program. Volunteers would be trained for free on how to prepare taxes. For more information or to sign up, contact Cathy at 717-273-2671.
And always remember ... "We don't just wear the shirts ... WE LIVE IT!" | |
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a new VISTA member!
