United Way News
2012 News | 2011 News | 2010 News
Fund Established for Hurricane Sandy Recovery
November 2, 2012 – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation and United Way of Central Minnesota are supporting a regional fund established to address both the near-term and long-term recovery needs of communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
United Way of Central Minnesota Transitions to Community Impact Funding
October 3, 2012 – For more than 45 years, United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) has empowered local people in need through the caring power of our community. As our community grows, however, the issues facing our community have continued to increase.
The United Way Board of Directors is committed to focus on solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing the community. The board agreed to place its greatest emphasis on two categories: Basic Needs and Education. Within these categories, five aspirations exist: homelessness, hunger, financial stability, early learning/literacy, and quality out of school experiences.
Education Opportunity for Parents, Child Care Providers, and Care Givers
September 19, 2012 - United Way of Central Minnesota Success By 6, THRIVE – Infant/Toddler Mental Health, and Child Care Choices along with other community partners will present a free learning opportunity titled Transforming Challenging Child Behavior: Present Moment Parenting and Caregiving, on October 15, 2012. Attendees can choose one two-hour session: 9:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. Sessions will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud. Free child care and evening meal will be provided for attendees with pre-registration.
Federal Funding for Agencies to assist with Emergency Shelter & Rent/Mortgage Available
September 18, 2012- The local Emergency Food & Shelter Program Board, coordinated by United Way of Central Minnesota, is working with federal program to determine dollars available for our area. Funding levels are determined based on poverty and average unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor for the most current 12-month period. Benton, Stearns and Sherburne counties are anticipated to receive $99,814 this year. In 2011, these counties were awarded $19,334 through the Emergency Food and Shelter program. This helped cover the cost of 3,910 nights in local shelters and 37 individuals with rent/mortgage assistance.
Make a Difference in Your Community
August 30, 2012 - United Way of Central Minnesota will be hosting Week of Action October 1-6, 2012. Week of Action is designed to bring people together to volunteer on community projects. More than 600 volunteers are needed to help with over 55 different projects. Dozens of opportunities are available such as painting, helping children with projects, fall cleaning, creating cards, and storm drain stenciling. They will take place in communities across Central Minnesota including Avon, Albany, Becker, Cold Spring, Foley, St. Joseph, Sauk Rapids, Sartell and St. Cloud. Volunteers can sign up beginning September 4, 2012 at www.untitedwayhelps.org.
New Chief Executive Officer for United Way of Central Minnesota Named
May 15, 2012 – George Wilkes, Chairperson for the Board of Directors for United Way of Central Minnesota is pleased to announce that a new Chief Executive Officer has been named. Patrick Powell, currently serving as a Vice President of Planning, Allocations, and Community Development for United Way of the Midlands - Omaha, Nebraska, has accepted the position and is expected to begin here in mid-June. “We are excited by the vision and energy we know Patrick will bring to United Way,” said Wilkes. “We have a strong United Way with an important mission, and Patrick will surely build on our tradition of positive leadership in the community.”
Community Help Line Goes Online
April 26, 2012 – United Way 2-1-1™, the easy-to-remember three-digit help line that families and individuals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services, is now available online! The new site, www.211unitedway.org, provides service to the entire state of Minnesota. This valuable tool connects social service professionals and users to over 40,000 resources including statewide information about childcare, employment, food, health services, housing, senior services, transportation, and much more.
Education Opportunity for Parents, Child Care Providers, and Care Givers
April 23, 2012 - United Way of Central Minnesota Success By 6, THRIVE – Infant/Toddler Mental Health, and Child Care Choices along with other community partners will present a free learning opportunity titled Play to Connect: Supporting Relationships in Early Childhood Using Interaction and Play, on May 7, 2012. Attendees can choose one two-hour session: 9:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. Sessions will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud. Free childcare and evening meal will be provided for attendees with pre-registration.
United Way Recognizes U.S. Bank with Highest National Award
May 10, 2011 — Friday, May 6, 2011, United Way honored U.S. Bank with the 2011 Spirit of
America® Award to recognize the company and its employees’ commitment to improving the financial stability of individuals, families and local communities. Microsoft Corporation, Bank of America, Procter & Gamble and Dominion Resources, Inc. also received Summit awards for generosity, volunteerism and measurable community impact.
United Way Annual Meeting & Open House
September 13, 2010 - United Way of Central Minnesota will host its annual meeting and open house on Thursday, September 16, 2010. The annual meeting will take place from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. and the open house will be from 5:15 - 6:00 p.m., both at the new United Way office location, 3001 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
United Way of Central Minnesota Announces Community Investments
June 22, 2010 - The United Way Board of Directors announced funding decisions of $3,072,435 to 44 area non-profit organizations and United Way special initiatives focused on education, income, health and basic needs. Last year, the United Way Board defined outcomes in each of the priority areas and focused 5% of the allocable funds on financial stability, given the current need in the community. This is the 2nd year of a 3 year funding cycle.
Stamp Out Hunger! 2010 Food Drive
April 27, 2010 - On Saturday, May 8, 2010, St. Cloud letter carriers will collect food donations to benefit area food shelves in an effort to fight hunger during the National Association of Letter Carriers' (NALC) 18th Annual Stamp Out Hunger! food drive.
Second Annual Volunteer Summit
April 8, 2010 - The Second Annual Volunteer Summit will be held Monday April 19, 2010 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the St. Cloud Civic Center. Last year, more than 100 community members collaborated at the first summit in an effort to bring Central Minnesota volunteering to the next level.
United Way Imagination Library Grant Opportunity
April 6, 2010 - Pepsi is distributing grants to refresh a number of communities. United Way of Central Minnesota's Imagination Library program has been selected to be one of the 1,000 projects voted on in April. The grant is for $25,000 to sponsor 700 children for one year in United Way of Central Minnesota's Imagination Library program. In order to receive the grant, the project must be in the top 10 for the $25K category by April 30, 2010.
Llama Llama Read-A-Rama Encourages Children to Read
March 31, 2010 - On April 8 and 9, 2010, United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) will team with many members of the community to host themed story times and activities for children and families. On April 8, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., the St. Cloud Public Library will hold a pajama party celebrating Llama Llama Read-A-Rama and Imagination Library's 5th birthday with free activities for families and children: story time, crafts, snacks, live llamas, a fire truck and firefighters. Throughout April 8 & 9, a number of local sites will host free Llama Llama Read-A-Rama story times and events. For a list of public sites, times, locations and possible registration information, please visit www.unitedwayhelps.org.
Feed Our Families - Raising Food for Our Community
March 18, 2010 - In honor of March as Minnesota Food Share Month, United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) has encouraged local individuals and groups to raise money and/or collect food by running food drives with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. In order to make the collection of donations an easy process, UWCM has set up a special donation time from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road, on March 26. UWCM's 2010 food drive challenge to the St. Cloud community is to raise 100,000 pounds of food. Donations received will be divided between The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities Emergency Services. In appreciation of volunteer and donor contributions, the opportunity to experience local need first hand by touring Catholic Charities food shelf will be provided, and participants will be given coupons to local retailers/establishments.
Llama Llama Read-A-Rama Needs Volunteers
March 9, 2010 - On April 8 and 9, 2010, United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) will partner with members of the community to host the fourth annual Llama Llama Read-A-Rama. Volunteers are needed for about an hour to read to children and help with activities that go along with the story such as coloring, playing games and solving puzzles. Volunteers can visit www.unitedwayhelps.org to sign up for Llama Llama Read-A-Rama.
Free Tax Preparation Sites in Central Minnesota
March 4, 2010 - United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) is helping to promote the availability of free tax sites and build awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). People can qualify for free tax preparation if they meet the following requirements; have income at or below $30,000 for individuals, $50,000 for families (two or more people). Last year this program had an economic impact of more than $2 million in EITC and tax refunds.
United Way Imagination Library Progressive Dinner
February 5, 2010 - United Way of Central Minnesota will host an Imagination Library Progressive Dinner on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Twelve different cuisines will be offered in more than 25 homes in South St. Cloud and Sartell. Each offers an intimate, themed dinner prepared by well-known, volunteer chefs from the area. Tickets are $100 per person or you can purchase an entire cuisine, 10 guests per cuisine. To register, call 320-229-3514 and ask for Progressive Dinner Reservations. Checks and credit cards are accepted - $70 per ticket is tax deductible. Reserve your spot today! For an updated list of cuisines and more information, visit www.unitedwayhelps.org.
Celebrate Caring, Celebrate Community Event
January 29, 2010 - In appreciation of volunteers, investors, companies, and community partners, United Way of Central Minnesota will host its annual "Celebrate Caring, Celebrate Community" event on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.
