Project Connect was quite an event!  I had an awesome time partaking in this event.  Those that were vendors and volunteers were so kind and helpful.   I left this event feeling accomplished.  I believed that I helped many find answers and leads to their questions.

The many stories that were told are unforgettable and heartfelt.  One story that I will always remember is about a guy that was homeless for more than five years.  He was told that he has cancer and needed treatment right away but was having a hard time getting medical assistance because he lost his I.D. and social security card.  He slept in the cemetery because he had no place to stay. 

I couldn’t tell him where to even begin to get the medical assistance that he needs, but thankfully there was a vendor for legal services that helped to stare him in the right direction.  I also took him to the vendor for men’s shelter so that he could have a better place to live temporarily.  As I saw him walk out of Emmet Scott’s facility I could only image and hope that he took my help and the vendors help into consideration so that he could make a difference in his life.  

As I talked with the other volunteers they too felt great about being apart of this event and look forward to doing it again next year. 

Inspired, 
-Denise Gethers, Marketing intern

South Carolina is ranked 5th for the least healthy state in the nation.  South Carolina it is time to make a CHANGE!  We can do so by joining the Eat Smart Move More South Carolina Coalition, by following seven healthy tips to help make a change in our state’s statistics.

The first tip is:     Rethink your drink. By doing this you should try to replace carbonated drinks and high calorie fruit drinks with water, milk or 100% fruit drinks. 

The second tip is:     Right Size Your Portions.  Decrease the size of your calorie intake; the less we eat the less extra calories we’ll possess. 

The third tip:     Tame the Tube.  Try spending less time as a coach potato and more time with family and friends. 

Fourth tip:    Move More Everyday.  Try walking farther distances and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 

Fifth tip: Eat More Healthy Meals at Home.  Home cooked meals will help reduce the amount of fat and calories you eat and it is less costly. 

The sixth tip:     Eat More Fruits and Veggies.  Vegetables and fruits contain many nutrients such as antioxidants which can help prevent the common cold and diseases. 

The last tip:     Breast-feed Your Baby.  This will help ensure that your baby is well nourished with all of the important nutrients.  This will also help the mom’s decrease their chances of getting ovarian cancer.

South Carolina it’s time to break the mold and be in control of our health.  The tips given may seem simple and easy, but with everyone’s commitment, these simple tips can help us make drastic changes not only for us but in our state.

Committed to the Challenge,

          -Denise Gethers, student marketing intern for

Today, February 11, is 2-11 day (2-1-1). We use 2-11 to draw attention to the need for a national 2-1-1 service.

We are VERY fortunate to have access to 2-1-1 here in York County. It was a decision brought about by our Community Needs Study, where we saw how many people didn’t know how to access available services. United Way made it a priority to find the funding to bring 2-1-1 to York County – we “flipped the switch” in September 2007.

I hope you’ll join me in thanking Sen. Lindsay Graham for co-sponsoring the “Calling for 2-1-1 Act.” By clicking the link below, you will access a website to email him directly.

http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenatorGraham

The letter below shows national and local statics about 2-1-1. Please drop him a quick email today to thank him for this support. (feel free to edit to make it personal or create your own letter of thanks!)

In observance of “2-1-1 Day” on February 11, I am writing to thank you for your co-sponsorship of S.211, the Calling for 2-1-1 Act. I want to update you about 2-1-1 in our community and stress how important it is to pass this legislation now.

Last year, 2-1-1 Centers around the country answered more than 15.7 million calls from people seeking help with human services. In York County, SC, 2-1-1 responded to more than 7,300 questions, giving each specific issue an individual referral to the most appropriate agencies. 75% of questions involved the basics: food, shelter, clothing, and utilities. Second behind the basic needs were medical needs: affordable prescriptions, health care, and dental care. We are fortunate to have access to 2-1-1 in the York County community, paid for by the local United Way.

A survey of the nation’s 240 2-1-1 Centers in January confirmed what we suspected about the impact of the recession on 2-1-1. Eighty-six (86%) of 2-1-1 Centers are receiving more calls from callers who have never used 2-1-1 before, and 90% are receiving calls from callers who have never used any basic needs services (food pantries, rent assistance, utility assistance, public assistance benefits.) 2-1-1s are reporting that calls with these newly unemployed or newly underemployed are more complex, take more time and require additional explanation to navigate the complicated maze of services. While calls are increasing, more than one-fourth of 2-1-1 centers report the need to reduce staff due to budget cuts.

I thank you again for co-sponsoring S.211.

Thanks for helping us show our appreciation to Lindsay Graham and his support of 2-1-1!!

I am grateful to have the opportunity to intern here at United Way.  Not only for the experience that I am gaining, but because it allows me to become more appreciative of the little things that I have in my life. After reading a blog written about a mother and her four year old girl without a warm coat or long pants who were homeless in search of a place to stay brought a sense of guilt. In my younger years my father was a huge advocate for community service, he would encourage my sisters and I to be the same way.  After I went off to school I became a little selfish and would spend my money on senseless things without having the thought to give back, now I am thankful for the things that I was once taking for granted, such as, being able to select what I want to wear for the day, to having a room or even a closet to put my articles of clothing in.

As I dug further into the research aspect of my internship, the statistics of the counties in South Carolina sadden me.  The fall of our economy has really hurt a lot of the citizens in South Carolina .  I was reviewing an article in the local newspaper about a family becoming homeless after traveling from another state to seek better opportunities in Rock Hill .  This to me was another sad case scenario.  United Way and their partners are diligently finding ways to help families and individuals in need through ways that I have never heard of. 

Homelessness can happen to us all.  One should never be to prideful to think that it could never happen or the thought of asking for a helping hand would be uttered from their mouths.  It is so important to help others while you are in the position to do so, because you never know the same one that you helped or could have helped might be the person who may end up helping you. We must all live the theme of United Way and Live United.  I know I will.

-- Denise Gethers

We welcome Denise Gethers, our new Winthrop University intern, to United Way of York County, SC! 

This is my first time ever doing an internship.  Like any other first timers I had no idea of what to expect.  The atmosphere here is soo relaxed, and warm.  Overall I get a sense that the ladies here enjoy what they do.  Walking into Ms. Covington’s office for the first time, one thought came to mind (she is full of life.) After I stepped into Ms. Covington’s office I became less tense and excited to begin my internship here at United Way.  I’ve learned a lot within one day of working here, how to write media releases, a new office program and various assistances offered by the government.  

I can’t wait to see what else I can gain from this internship. I love what this organization stands for and the persistence of the workers behind the scene. 

-Denise Gethers

Two days left of 2009.  I was just telling Kim, our President, yesterday that by our office having a fiscal year beginning July 1 and a calendar year beginning January 1, it really gives the opportunity to reset the mind twice per year.  Tomorrow will involve cleaning out my office of all the clutter that has accumulated over the past six months and especially in the month of December.

December is interesting in the United Way office.  Toys for Happiness begins to build momentum in November, but in December it's a magnificent snowball, gaining speed day by day.  This year was no different.  Warehouse set-up began in early December with a few volunteers, then the program picked up speed as toys began coming in at donation sites.  Volunteers began signing up to help and more than a thousand families signed up for assistance.  Shopping trips, processing donations, sorting toys, packing for families and delivering toys and food boxes all happened in a blink of an eye.  Then, within a quick wink, it was over, with thousands of York County children receiving toys thanks to your generosity.

It's hard to explain how important these gifts are to the families.  Thank you notes from the families say it best.

"Thanks for all the help. I wouldn't have made it through Christmas without help!" 

" Thank you. I've been out of work for 17 months." 

"Thank you so very much. I lost my job and things have been tough.  It's nice to know that good things still happen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."

"Thanks so very much for all the work that you do. You all make Christmas happen for so many families.  God bless you and may your lives be enriched and fullfilled with joy and happiness."

On behalf of the many families who are able to look back at the holidays with smiles - thank you.  You are have very special memories in thousands of York County lives.  Just as you've done all year long through your gift to United Way. 

Thousands of families are touched with every gift to United Way of York County, SC - whether it's toys during the holidays, affordable after school care for those in need, a hot meal delivered to a senior citizen or a hug and hotel room for a family who just lost everything in a house fire.  Every gift matters and every gift makes a difference in a local person's life.

Thank you, York County, for making 2009 another great year for our community. We appreciate your support and are looking forward to beginning 2010!

This is the Letter from the Publisher of YC Magazine in their October 2009 edition:

Support United Way

It's that time of year when the United Way starts its fundraising campaign. This year they have a goal of raising $1.9 million for our communities.

United Way of York County, SC, helps support 37 agencies, many of which are critical to our county's quality of life because they help address the margins of society and help the weakened and disadvantaged among us. Women, children, men and families all turn to United Way partner agencies in times of great need. And these agencies are often their last resort for basic assistance.

Our United Way is completely independent. It belongs to us. Our last campaign fell short of expectations due to surrounding circumstances. First, we were in the worst recession since the Great Depression. And second, the United Way of Central Carolinas (the "Charlotte area" United Way) had a management blip that caused a serious breach in the public trust.

Some people incorrectly assumed that our local United Way was affiliated with United Way of Central Carolinas. We aren't. This is our own United Way - York County's United Way. If you work in North Carolina and give to another United Way through work, please specify that your donation be given to United Way of York County, SC. Then it comes back to your hometown and home county.

I'm biased in favor of the United Way (though I'm not connected to our United Way in any manner). My father was highly involved with our hometown United Way. And my mother was the executive director of a small-town United Way for many years. That was decades ago, but I still believe in the cause, as evidenced by the slogan of York County's United Way - "United Way is the best way to help the most people."

If you take a roll of everyone involved with the agencies supported by United Way, the first thing that jumps out is that virtually all are volunteers. And even paid employees are almost unpaid. Yet everyone is working as hard as they can to help, to make a difference, and to hold the fabric of the community together and keep the edges from unraveling. For most of them, United Way funding is an important part of their essential in come. Without the funding, some will simply close.

What happens if some of these agencies close? Maybe a child isn't helped out of hopelessness, the battered and abused have no place to turn or an elderly person has no outside contact. Do these agencies solve the problems? No, they don't. The problems are big. But they help as much as they can, given the money and the volunteers that they have.

What these United Way agencies accomplish directly helps you because it supports your quality of life. Their hard work requires your support.

The United Way is about all of us joining together to help. Maybe you don't have the time to volunteer for another cause or your family and career keep you busy. But you can give a few dollars, and that help is just as important.

The United Way of York County, SC is your United Way. Please give.

Bill Henson, Publisher

I remember the first day the seasonal warming center opened last winter. The first two guests were a woman and her 4 year old daughter. When I asked the little girl where she had been that day, she said, “just walking”. They had walked all around town looking for a place to stay. Since all the shelters were full, this was their last hope. I distinctly remember that she did not have on long pants even though it was about 30 degrees outside and had been all day. She also did not have on a heavy coat. She climbed up on my lap, and I wrapped a blanket around her. When my hand fell to touch her bare leg, it was ice cold. That will always stay with me.

Solving homelessness takes more than money. It will take a movement. It will take a community zero tolerance policy of any child experiencing this type of insecurity.

It is a sobering fact that over 400 students attended York County schools last year without a permanent fixed nighttime address. 236 homeless people were identified during our “Point in Time Count” in 2009. The numbers continue to rise as the economy worsens. It is more important now than ever to remember those who have so little. Participating in the events next week is the beginning. Please join us as we try to bring this issue to the fore front.


--Lora Holladay, Community Outreach Coordinator

Today in the United Way office was a bittersweet day, as we had to say goodbye to one of our volunteers, Ms. Sandra Massey.  Sandra completed her internship through York Technical College as she worked to earn her Associates Degree in Business.  We are so thankful for all her help over the past several months.  She's been great!

As we headed out for a send-off lunch today, I asked her a few questions about her time spent with us.  Here is my "interview" with Sandra: 

What surprised you most about United Way that you didn't know before?

The number of partner agencies United Way works with. I didn't know you had so many!

What was the hardest part about volunteering with us?

When people called and I knew i couldn't help them. There was nothing I could do about their situation.

What were some of the common phone calls you received?

Calls for Alston Wilkes Society, that helps with people who just got out of jail.  Deposits for utilities and rent.  Help with mortgage, utilities and such.  I referred them to 2-1-1.

Did you know about 2-1-1 before you came to work for us?  What is the most important thing you have learned?

No, I didn't know about 2-1-1 before, but it's a good service. I need to call it just to see how it works and what they say when they answer.  I learned if I get in a bind, there is help out there.

What was the best part about working with United Way?

Getting to know the personalities of the staff.  When you walk into a business, you never get to know the people working there. But United Way is unique. I got to know the people.

We enjoyed having Sandra here, too.  And although she making plans to head to California to work at a nursing home in management, she's already committed to coming back to United Way to volunteer. Especially with our upcoming holiday assistance program! Sandra, we appreciate all your help and wish you all the best!!

Just two seconds ago, I put our Toys for Happiness pages back on our website, amazed that it's almost that time of year again. For us to have a program of this size (3,000+ children!) run smoothly, it's definitely that time of year again and we are ready!

Most of you already know about the Toys for Happiness program - a holiday assistance program that helps children birth to 14-years-old with toys.  This year, we are VERY EXCITED to add food to our program!! Each eligible family will also receive a food box, which is needed this year more than ever before! Our partners are making it happen:  WRHI Radio, Toys for Tots, The Herald's Empty Stocking Fund, Rock Hill Schools and so many more. 

We need YOUR help, too.  Every toy donated, every dollar given, is directly impacting a child's Christmas right here in York County.  We have wonderful partners, but we need your help to ensure EVERY child in need is given a happy holiday memory.  Please consider giving to the Toys for Happiness program - Donation information is listed under the Toys for Happiness tab at the top of the website.

We also need volunteers. Lots and lots of volunteers! We call our volunteers "Joymakers" because that is exactly what they are. These volunteers are making the holidays full of joy for our children and it's a great feeling. The thank you notes we received from families really helps explain how much it means to them to receive a bit of help during a very difficult time. Read some of the thank you notes from last year by clicking here.  Learn more about volunteering by clicking the Toys for Happiness tab at the top of the website.

2009 will mark my 8th year of Toys for Happiness.  I have seen so many families, can tell you several stories that have stuck with me over the years.  But what I can't do is explain the feeling of being part of this program. You'll just have to experience that for yourself.  Join us in helping the children this holiday - it's a feeling you'll never forget.

Last Friday, I visited Park Avenue Adult Day Care Center in Rock Hill to film a video on one of the many agencies supported by United Way of York County, S.C. I truthfully did not know what to expect when going there, but I enjoyed my experience after interacting with the staff, volunteers, and clients. 

I met Barbara Smith, Executive Director of Park Avenue Adult Day Care Center, and when she said “we have a lot of love at this place”, I felt what she said was true. The center allows seniors a place to interact, make friends, and even receive physical therapy. 

My time there did have some meaning since I remember looking with my mom for a similar facility for my grandmother years ago in my hometown of Charleston, S.C. I was surprised that a small town like Rock Hill had a remarkable facility that had such an impact on the lives of seniors in the area, which was something that was absent anywhere near our home in Charleston. 

What the Park Avenue Adult Day Care Center does for the community must be greatly appreciated by clients and their families, and their definitely is a lot of love at that place. 


-Jai Jones

Live United. Two words that have much meaning behind them for United Way of York County, SC. I have been the marketing intern for United Way for a little over a month now, and after working here with the staff and seeing everything that they do for the York County community, I have come up with my personal definition of the meaning behind these words.


Live United  [liv yoo-nahy-tid]
-verb

1. To assist those in your community by volunteering to help people in need. Whether it is your time, a donation, or creating awareness in your community, one person can make a larger impact than you may expect.

2. To educate yourself and those around you about the issues in your community. You may not know this, but in relatively small York County, SC , the local United Way supports over 30 agencies that provide assistance to those in the community. Agencies like the York County Literacy Association provide programs to those who need help improving in reading, writing, math, computer and speaking skills, while others such as Catawba Care Coalition provide support services to those living with HIV/AIDS.

I have learned so much about York County in the last month, and look forward to my remaining time with this great organization.


--Jai Jones