HEADLINES:
United Way Raises $2.4 Million
Called an “astounding” amount, the charity celebrates being able to reach
more than 58,000 residents through its partner agency programs
United Way of Indian River County announced today that it has raised the largest amount of dollars in support of Indian River County’s health and human service agencies since before the recession hit the Treasure Coast. Topping $2.4 million, the just ended 2011-12 Annual Campaign will allow the agency to increase its investment to its 42 sponsored programs. The Annual Campaign Co-Chairs, Chris and Don Loftus and their campaign cabinet made up of over 15 community leaders, were anxious to make it to the $2.4 million dollar mark, mostly due to the fact that “so many agencies rely on the grants they receive from United Way’s campaign,” said Campaign Co-Chair Don Loftus. United Way currently provides critical support to 42 programs at 32 partner agencies. “United Way provides a base of funding for these agencies,” said Chris Loftus. Added to the fact that together these agencies reach 58,000 Indian River County residents, “we know our agencies rely on United Way funds for the impactful work they do, and so it was important for us to go that extra mile,” said Mrs. Loftus. In his comments, Kint also focused on the diversity of the programs supported by United Way which range from feeding the food insecure… to providing a safe place to live and life skills to the homeless; from sponsoring early childhood education, mentoring and reading support… to supporting adult day care for our community’s treasured senior citizens; from helping young adults transitioning out of the foster care system… to providing much needed mental health care to those in need.
75 Volunteers & Donated Items Needed for
May 19th Neighbors Helping Neighbors
VOAD Exercise to Benefit Homeless
Seventy-five community volunteers and donations of items are needed to assist with the IRC Health Department initiative “Community Impact Gateway: Neighbors Helping Neighbors”, an event to deliver health care screenings and services to over 700 homeless individuals in Indian River County. Volunteers will help pass out materials and donated goods and will help homeless (and near homeless) clients check in at several stations run by community organizations including: animal care station, eye exams, health screenings and more.
Volunteers may pre-register by contacting United Way of Indian River County, 567-8900 ext.20 during business hours (9am – 5pm) or report to the VOAD Volunteer Reception Center at the United Way Center, 1836 14th Avenue Vero Beach at 8:00am on Saturday May 19th. Parking is available across the street at the Freshman Learning Center.
Donations of personal care items are also needed: tents, bug spray, flashlights, batteries, shoes, socks, clothing, hygiene products, and monetary donations will be accepted the day of the event at The Source, 1015 Commerce Ave.
The event is part of a county-wide training exercise to coordinate services, donated goods and volunteers in case of natural or man-made disaster. Indian River County’s VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) reached out to its extensive member network and the idea grew. The Humane Society will offer free screenings and vaccinations to the pets of the homeless and near homeless; New Vision Eye Center will offer free eye exams. Donated items will be sorted into stations and handed out. The event will take place at The Source, 1015 Commerce Ave, but is open to all homeless and nearly homeless residents of Indian River County. “All they have to do is show up and we’ll do what we can to help,” added Joan Gentgen.
Participating organizations include: The Source, United Way, the American Red Cross, Indian River County Emergency Management, Indian River County VOAD, the Florida Department of Health, the Medical Reserve Corps, the Mental Health Association of Indian River County, Treasure Coast Community Health, NTB Group, Gifford Youth Activity Center, New Vision Eye Center and the Humane Society of IRC and Vero Beach.
Give Now
United Way of Indian River County funds dozens of programs locally that reach one out of three residents. Only 14% goes to administrative costs, and 99% stays right here in Indian
River County.
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Our Promise to You
Your donation is a sound and secure investment in our community. United Way assures donors that their investments are achieving the outcomes they expect through our Community Investment process. Community Investment volunteers conduct annual organizational assessments of each partner agency to measure the operational efficiencies and effectiveness. To participate in our Community Investment process. call 567-8900
Live United in Our Community
You may think volunteering means picking up a paintbrush, planting trees, or working in a soup kitchen. But many nonprofits need professional services like answering phones, writing a business plan, doing their books or board governance.
Volunteering is open to any individual or group thats ready make
Four Things You Can Do
1. Start a food drive at your work to benefit the Treasure Coast Food Bank.
2. Clean your closet and donate items to the Homeless Family Center or the Samaritan Center.
3. Give $2 a week through your paycheck at work to support United Way partner agencies.
4. Mentor a kid! (Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Youth Guidance, Boys & Girls Clubs & more).
WHERE TO TURN:
How your gift makes an Impact
Tiffany's Story
Finally Tiffany can breathe a sigh of relief, but this wasn't the case even two months ago. For Tiffany, her three children and her husband, the lack of quality, affordable childcare for infants and toddlers in Indian River County was something they lived with each and every day. About a year ago, Tiffany's life changed when she adopted an orphaned baby boy whose mother had died unexpectedly. This put a strain on the young family who already had one in diapers and one in childcare. For several months, Tiffany's two youngest (ages 1 and 1 1/2 ) sat on the 424 deep waiting list for subsidized infant care. Tiffany's choices were limited -- she needed to continue working to keep food on the table. To keep her two youngest cared for, she had to pay $130 per week, per child for private care while they waited for a slot to open up. This "solution" she says is something that "almost crippled our family." Luckily, Tiffany's oldest was already enrolled in the subsidized childcare program through Childcare Resources which helped further her application and place her two youngest in its childcare program. Within a few months Tiffany's life has gotten a little easier. She says that "people need to know how hard it is and how necessary quality childcare is for kids. What would we have done without Childcare Resources?" Tiffany is just one of the hundreds of parents that find themselves with limited choices, stranded on a waiting list that is too long - waiting for too few spots for infants and toddlers. United Way of Indian River County is focused on giving all families the help they need to raise happy, healthy, successful children. And one of our goals is to make sure working families have access to quality childcare. That's why we support programs like Childcare Resources, because they focus on providing solutions to our communities most pressing problems. Solutions that work.