United Way of Chittenden County

Should Freedom From Hunger Be a Right of Citizenship?

2012-02-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

I can’t stop thinking about a news report I heard last week labeling President Obama “the food stamp President” by his Republican rivals. They claim he has “enrolled more people on food stamps than any president in our history”. Shame on him! To my surprise, President Obama responded by stating, rather defensively I thought, that he “doesn’t enroll people in food stamps. They become eligible” due to lack of financial resources and anyway, the changes in eligibility that increased enrollment happened under President Bush.

Why would anyone be defensive about more people enrolling in one of the most important safety net programs our country offers during the worst recession this country has seen since the depression? The great recession has shown how vital the nutrition safety net is for Americans in difficult times. Despite extremely high unemployment and increases in poverty, hunger has not risen to the same extent. The nutrition programs have helped keep food on the table. I am proud to be living in a country that at least has some small sense of responsibility for feeding our most vulnerable, especially during terrible economic conditions. We’re talking about making food available for people who have none. Why has that shared value become a political hot potato?

Over 95,000 Vermonters (1 in 6) receive 3SquaresVT benefits - 40% are households with children; many others are seniors or people with disabilities. United Way supports food shelves, meals on wheels, senior congregate meal programs and child care programs to feed hungry infants and toddlers, all which supplement 3Squares benefits. And still, recent surveys show that 1 in 5 Vermont children and nearly 1 in 7 Vermont households are unsure of where their food will come from. What if we outlawed hunger like the initiative in Belo Horizonte, Brazil where the municipality has rendered hunger “illegal?” It began in 1993, when a newly elected administration declared food a right of citizenship. The officials said, in effect: If you are too poor to buy food in the market, you are no less a citizen. We are still accountable to you. In that Brazilian community, food became a right of membership in the human family.

I’ve often wondered what would happen if we just changed our minds and decided no one in Vermont, or in the United States for that matter, will go to bed hungry ever again. What if that was the lens we looked through to make any and all decisions about how to spend our state or federal dollars? Could it be that simple (not easy but simple) - just changing our minds?

By Martha Maksym, Executive Director, United Way of Chittenden County

What Does Diversity Mean to You?

2012-02-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

Four months ago during a dinner conversation, someone said to me, "We live in Vermont...why is diversity so important?...How can one person or organization possibly make a difference?" I thought to myself, "What a surprise...to learn that someone I know has never asked these questions out loud.  Now it's up to me to respond with some amazing, intelligent answer to her question. How easy is that?" It's not. I could not even begin to articulate the importance of diversity out loud, even though it is so important to my own standards and to the organization I work for. Why couldn't I respond? Because I had never participated in an open conversation on diversity before. Now that will have to change.

Coincidentally, two months later, my employer asked some of our staff and board members to participate in the "We All Belong" diversity training. This training has helped our staff become open to new ideas and experiences, and has introduced us to new people who have guided us through our conversation on diversity. In addition to this training, our United Way staff recently participated in a half-day diversity training at a staff retreat.  Since these experiences have taken place, I feel so proud to work with such amazing and open colleagues and volunteers who share my own personal passion for diversity.  We only need one conversation to spark an interest in others...to lead them down the road to understanding diversity.  As a result of these trainings, I feel more comfortable and prepared to define diversity on my own and more comfortable discussing diversity out loud. And this is just the beginning.

DIVERSITY can mean many things, but to me it means a point of view, experience or perception of life that someone has experienced differently from your own. Many people think of diversity as what appears on the surface, such as race, physical disabilities, etc. Some differences are obvious. But poverty, religion, sexual orientation, mental abilities and disabilities -- to name just a few -- are not obvious. Take a look at how our community has changed over the last 10 years in this report from the US Census Bureau. Racial diversity in Chittenden County has almost doubled since 2000 and will continue to in the future. Vermont is changing, and I welcome this change.

Do you feel like diversity is not your responsibility or something you should value? Let me ask you this; have you ever said to your friend or your child, "Put yourself in his shoes." We all know the importance of this meaningful question, and we set an example for others to not "Judge a book by its cover." But as an employee, neighbor or parent, why not take these thoughts a step further?  We each must think to ourselves, who are the people around me...in our neighborhoods, workplaces, places of worship, and in our schools? How do others view the world? Where did others grow up? Do people have enough to eat today, or a place to live? What languages do other people speak or sign? Does everyone have physical access to my building?  You may ask yourself, how you as an individual or an organization can "put yourself in another person's shoes?" Just open your mind and begin your own conversation.

My question to you is NOT how well do you know your community, but how well do you WANT to know your community?

By Christie Hammach, UWCC Communications & Development Assistant

About this blogger:
Christie is a Vermont Native from Middlebury who currently lives in South Burlington with her husband Rachid, and two daughters Samira and Courtney. She is one of many multi-lingual families in the area, with an Arab husband and daughter. Arabic, French and English languages are spoken on a regular basis in their home.

Help for Moms Fighting Addiction -- and Healthier Babies as a Result

2012-02-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

I recently had a conversation with someone who was really struggling with finding out that since 2000 the CHARM Team at Fletcher Allen Health Care has seen over 800 babies born to moms on methadone. His comment was, "How can an expectant mother risk the life of a baby with drug use and abuse?" My feathers were more than ruffled, but I decided that he was just an example of many, many people who do not understand the many reasons for addiction. I calmed down and decided to share a recent article from Seven Days by Ken Picard that highlights Kid Safe Collaborative of Chittenden County's CHARM (Children and Recovering Mothers) program -- something we help fund here at United Way of Chittenden County.

"CHARM assists moms in getting clean enough to raise normal, healthy babies. Babies of drug-addicted mothers are often born prematurely, with lower birth weights. Even worse, pregnant addicts who try to quit on their own can send the babies into withdrawal and even cause them to be stillborn," says Picard in his article. And, he goes on to say that the program is adding about ten pregnant mothers every month as clients -- right here in Chittenden County. Results? Well, the good news is that early intervention reduces the risk of babies being born with an addiction, and because of the availability of the program, women are coming into treatment earlier and taking better care of themselves and their babies with more prenatal visits. Fewer babies are born prematurely and weigh more because of a longer gestation period.

What is important here, I think, is that whatever the reason for the addiction in the first place, more and more moms are finding help to prevent their newborn babies from coming into the world with addiction. The CHARM team does everything it can to help addicted mothers succeed, from treating their withdrawal symptoms to helping them secure reliable transportation, housing and daycare -- of which are critical to the baby being able to return home to a clean and sober mother and not becoming a ward of the state.

As we go about our every day lives, how many times do we stop to reflect on the amazing work that local nonprofits are doing to make life better for hundreds of our Chittenden County neighbors every day? This is just one example, and a reason to support the United Way Community Campaign which through pooling thousands of donations can fund programs like CHARM and so, so many more.

Be a Mentor -- The Ripple Effects of Mentor Relationships Are Monumental

2012-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

January is National Mentoring Month. We honor and value the many men and women in Chittenden County who spend time mentoring children from all walks of life in our community. In recent commentary on Vermont Public Radio, Marybeth Redmond spoke of her experience and explained how her relationships had completely changed her point of view from the typical definition of a mentor "as a competent, somewhat enlightened elder supporting a younger, struggling person." Now, says Redmond, she has come to understand this mentoring relationship "as reciprocal, mutually beneficial, with growth and blessings flowing in many directions."

Perhaps you have a few hours a week, a weekend, or even just once a month to mentor, read to, or tutor a local child. Just as our friend Marybeth reports, your life might be enriched in ways you had not thought possible before. And, we can help you find just the perfect place to spend your time. Take a look at the many listing we have available. To read or listen to Marybeth's commentary on VPR, click here.

Congratulations also to Judy and David Hershberg for being our Volunteers of the Month for their reading mentorships in the Burlington Schools on behalf of Everybody Wins! Vermont.

Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion

2012-01-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

This coming weekend, we celebrate and remember the remarkable contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and as we approach what has now become a national holiday, reflecting on what diversity and inclusion mean seems appropriate and timely. At United Way of Chittenden County what we mean by diversity is all human characteristics that make us unique as individuals. Our definition of diversity includes everyone and excludes no one. Race, gender, geographic origin, culture, lifestyle, age, disability, sexual orientation, economic status, marital status, and religion are just some of the characteristics that define us as people.

The United Way of Chittenden County has a Diversity Statement and a diversity and inclusion strategic plan, and we embrace diversity and equal opportunity as core values. In its staffing, volunteer positions and support of agencies, the United Way of Chittenden County will not discriminate against any person or persons based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, or any other category protected by law. But do we practice what we hold as a core value in our organization? We are paying close attention.

In our recent All Staff Retreat in mid-December, the morning was spent considering what diversity means to all of us and what we bring to the organization that makes us different and unique. An exercise that points it out so clearly is a circle game which has everyone stand in a circle, and respond to a series of statements that may apply, and if so, asking that person to step into the circle. Try it with your organization, friends or colleagues. You will be surprised what you learn. Here are some examples of the types of things that were asked:

If you were born in a country other than the United States, step in;
If you are an only child, step in;
If you were raised by a single parent, step in;
If you have served in the military, step in; If you are married, step in;
If you depend on a specific device for mobility, step in;

The list goes on and on. And, at the end of the game, we each learned about differences and unique attributes of our peers that we perhaps did not know about before, and which undoubtedly contribute to each person's belief system, or the life experiences they bring to United Way every day.

But what is most important is the demonstration that diversity is not just about race or color of our skin. It it about all the things that make us unique. Take a look at the person next to you this week when standing in the grocery story line, while waiting for your drivers' license to be renewed, while standing in line at the airport, while sitting in the theater or attending a meeting. Let's not forget that the sum of all the parts is more than the physical appearance we see. It is the wealth of the characteristics that someone right next to us brings to our lives. Pause and reflect. That is the best tribute you can pay to the life of Dr. King.

Giving Thanks for People Who Live United

2011-11-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a colleague at work sent a quick email to tell the rest of us that the Chittenden County Emergency Food Shelf needed "sides" to go along with the thousands of turkeys that had been donated for Thanksgiving. A few quick responses and we decided to pool our money and go next door to Shaw's to buy what we could. Just one day later I loaded about eight grocery bags into my car filled with stuffing mix, mashed potatoes (they asked for instant), cranberry sauce, pie shells, canned pumpkin, canned vegetables and gravy. When I arrived at the Food Shelf, I asked the volunteer if he thought they had enough, and of course he said, "Well yes, for Thursday, but there is really never enough."

The power of combining resources never ceases to amaze me. With a few dollars here and there and everyone from the office combining them, we were able to create the trimmings for so many Thanksgiving dinners. I was just thinking how great it would be if we did this on a routine basis. It was also reminded that it works just the same way with a donation to United Way. When we all pool our financial resources, United Way volunteer impact teams are able to make investments in programs that help thousands of people right here in Chittenden County. Yes, we call them "investments" because we don't fund agencies or random programs. We INVEST in programs working toward community-determined priority outcomes in the areas of Education, Income and Health. A donation to United Way is like investing in a mutual fund of human services, and our impact team volunteers are like portfolio advisers, completely familiar with which program produces what, and for how many people.

So, on this upcoming holiday, I am thankful for my colleagues who LIVE UNITED and rally when there is a need. I am thankful for the volunteers who devote hours upon hours to understand the programs they recommend for funding. I am thankful for all the United Way Member Agencies and the staff at each of the 30 who work tirelessly to provide the services upon which so many people depend, and which improve lives every day. And, I am thankful for the many blessings I have --more than enough food, a warm and cozy home, a loving family, wonderful friends, a car that works, warm clothes to wear, good health, a great job, and so many more. I am so lucky. I hope I always remember to share my good fortune and be grateful for it. I hope you will do the same.

Happy Thanksgiving. Bobbe

Happy Halloween -- Burrrr it's cold!

2011-10-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight little ghosts and goblins will be knocking on our doors or ringing our doorbells to show us their scary and clever costumes, saying "Trick or Treat," -- in hope of the treat! I love this holiday and the excitement of both the kids and the parents, walking -- flashlights in hand -- through our neighborhoods to celebrate this time honored tradition. But for me it is just a little bittersweet because I know there are kids who don't have a costume, or get to go house to house squealing with joy. Way too many kids will stay indoors -- hopefully with a meal and heat -- to avoid being conspicuous to their friends because there is no spooky attire. And some will be hiding because an abusive parent will go into a rage when a little one asks why Halloween is not for him or for her. Maybe the angry parent will strike out against the mother for not being "smart enough" or "clever enough" or "prepared enough" to produce a costume out of thin air where there is not one nickel to spare. And maybe the child who asked in the first place will cower in the corner or hide under the bed, not frightened from the ghosts and goblins, but from their very own dad whose threats are not hollow.

Please don't forget those kids. Make a donation to United Way of Chittenden County and help us make sure more kids are warm and fed, and safe in their homes. Help us ensure that women are safe from abuse, and that parents who need help with substance abuse get the help they need to put balance and peace into their families. Those are a few of the things a donation can do, among so many others. Make a contribution today. Every single donation matters.

Happy Halloween.

Together We Can Make A Real Difference In Our Schools

2011-06-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

All across the country, community volunteers are stepping up to tutor students who need individual help by reading with kids in and after school, or mentoring kids who need someone to believe in them. Caring adults working with kids from early years through high school can help boost academic achievement. An hour a week can make a real difference.

United Way of Chittenden County is joining with United Ways across the country to help mobilize one million volunteer readers, tutors and mentors to extend the momentum across the nation! Anyone with passion and commitment can help a young person achieve greater academic success.

So join us by signing up here. It may be the most rewarding thing you have ever done!

For Every Family In Vermont, Summer Vacation Is Not Idyllic

2011-06-15T09:58:00.001-07:00

As our schools prepare wrap up for summer vacation and many Vermont families look forward to a "staycation" or a "nearcation" or even a large jaunt to a far away wonderful place, thousands of Vermonters are not as excited about the upcoming months. You see, in Vermont, 30,000 kids take advantage of reduced-cost or free meals while they are at school and when school gets out, many parents will be worried about how to make sure those kids get a good meal at least once a day.

A recent Burlington Free Press article quoted some staggering statistics about food insecurity (the lack of financial resources to ensure access to enough food to meet basic needs at all times):

13 percent of Vermonters of all ages, 88,000 people, live in food-insecure households
14 percent of all households are food insecure
20 percent of households with children reported running out of food due to lack of money in 2008-2009
32 percent of Vermonters cannot afford either enough food or nutritious food

More than 150 sites around the state -- at schools, libraries, parks, youth programs -- offer programs to help bridge the nutrition gap children face with the end of school. To find out where, call Vermont 2-1-1, just dial or punch in 211 from any phone in Vermont. Then, do your part to let families know that these programs exist, and maybe lend a hand to provide transportation so that the children can get to a center that offers nutritious meals.

The bottom line ism, as we talk about vacation plans with our kids in preparation for the outings we have scheduled, "hunger does not take a vacation!" How about making vacation planning an opportunity to teach your family about kids who may not be as lucky. In fact, what a fun summer project it might be to create ways to support the local food shelf or to take bags of groceries to JUMP (joint urban ministry project)! It is a time of plenty from our gardens and the food stands will be overflowing with fresh, healthy options. How about buying a little extra.

We can all make a difference in the life of a hungry child. Let's give it a try!

New Executive Director for United Way

2011-04-26T03:40:00.001-07:00

We are happy to report that in an announcement made earlier this week, Don Rendall, President of the Board of United Way of Chittenden County, named Martha Maksym, our Director of Community Investments, the new Executive Director of UWCC to succeed our current ED Gretchen Morse who announced her retirement effective June 30th. A wide range of candidates was considered by a search committee of the Board during a process that took several months. Rendall said, "We reviewed over sixty applications and interviewed a pool of candidates that were impressive and capable. Martha has the ideal combination of skills, experience and commitment to the health and well being of the people of Chittenden County. We are thrilled with the choice..." To read more, click here

Is There an Impact on Taxing Charitable Deductions?

2011-03-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

Recently, our Executive Director Gretchen Morse was asked to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee regarding the proposal by the Tax Structure Commission to tax charitable deductions. Here are the points she made:

1. The Tax Structure Commission report provides an excellent foundation for a civic dialogue on tax policy which creates capacity for good social policy.

2. The Committee should assess the impact of the charitable tax deduction as best it can so it is transparent to the public what the “trade offs” are before the Legislature makes a decision. The impact as an incentive for charitable giving is more evident at the Federal level; and, not at all clear at the state level. The actual dollar value to the state’s tax base may be minimal, but the real impact is to the non-profit sector.

3. My concern is philosophic and policy focused. I do not have the same view about the charitable tax deduction as I do about other tax deductions. It is distinctly different than a mortgage or other deductions because the charitable tax deduction results in a benefit that goes beyond the taxpayer to serve a greater good in the community. Community in Vermont is more than a nice word – it supports relationships that re at the heart of what makes Vermont special.

4. Specifically, with regard to the human services, Vermonters are reliant on community-based, non-profit services that state government would otherwise have to provide. In many instances, the State’s relationship with community-based non-profits is defined in Vermont Statute.

5. I consider the charitable tax deduction part of the social contract between the taxpayer and government because it promotes the relationship between State Government and the non-profit sector as essential to Vermont’s quality of life. For instance, there is no other government structure between the State and community-based human services – no county government and very little support from the cities and towns. The State’s responsibility to care for its citizens through these community-based services has generated enormous good will, a substantial amount of charitable giving through donations of money,time and talent. The relationships have served our State well and sustaining them should be of great concern to all of us.

6. The State’s fiscal situation and the 2012 proposed budget place nonprofit agencies that serve the most vulnerable and frail Vermonters at serious financial risk. We know people give generously to charitable organizations; and, they do so for all the right reasons. I also think it is fair to say we can assume the charitable tax deduction does act as an incentive for some. In these times when every dollar matters why take the chance?

We encourage your comments.

UWCC Cares About Education

2011-02-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. United Way is committed to making sure that every child, youth and young adult has the resources and opportunities to achieve his or her potential. To reach our goal, we invest in programs and strategic initiatives that work toward:

1. EARLY CHILDHOOD Ensuring that our young children are nurtured by knowledgeable and capable caregivers by:

increasing the capacity, knowledge and skills of parents to nurture their young children;

providing families access to high quality early care and education settings;

and,supporting the ability of childcare providers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to care for children.

2. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Promoting opportunities for youth and young adults to develop assets during non-school hours by:

ensuring that they are able to engage in safe, active, and healthy activities during non-school hours (also called the “out of school time” strategy);

and,creating sustained connections with adults who act as positive role models (also called the “mentoring” strategy).

3. K- 12 EDUCATION: Helping youth and young adults achieve maximum benefits in formal educational settings by:ensuring that they the opportunity to receive a good education that fits their needs.

According to the Vermont Economy Newsletter in November of 2010, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicate that the high school graduation rate in Vermont for 2007 (the latest stats) was 82.3% -- well above the national average of 72.3%. But, that still means that nearly one in five young Vermonters do not graduate from high school within four years of entering.

So, think of it this way -- as the folks at the Vermont Economy Newsletter do:

Vermont's labor force is not growing and with the current graduation rate, economic growth will be impacted

18% of the labor force in Vermont will be headed for low earnings and possible periods of work inactivity, meaning their spending ability will be impacted

unskilled workers of the future will compete with more and more unskilled workers from all over the world in our global economy

What is the conclusion? We need to ensure that young Vermonters stay in school and receive a high school degree that prepares them with useful skills. It's a matter for our entire community to embrace.

What is UWCC doing about it? SO many things:

check out the Chittenden County Truancy Project

find out how we place volunteers who are 55+ in schools and child care centers to build strong inter-generational relationships with young children early on -- last year, 1,200 children in 45 settings

take a look at the programs we funded last year related to education

So, get involved. Give, Advocate or Volunteer and make a difference in the lives and education of our kids. It truly does matter!

What Does United Way Do to Help Feed Hungry Kids?

2011-01-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

In Vermont, one in eight households with infants is food insecure. The effects of early childhood undernourishment are long-term and significant and include:

altered behavior and withdrawal from the environment;

impaired immunity;

growth deficits; and if chronic,

can result in developmental and cognitive delays, as well as

the risk for being overweight.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that reimburses child care centers for serving meals and snacks, and provides nutrition training for providers and education materials for parents. According to the ADA, children in regulated childcare need to meet one-half to two thirds of their nutritional requirements while in care.

With all that in mind, United Way of Chittenden County, in partnership with several local foundations, Hunger Free Vermont, and Child Care Resource implemented a pilot project to increase the number of licensed child care centers who access the CACFP to provide meals and snacks to the children in their care.

Since November 2008, the Child Care Food Project, with Child Care Resource acting as CACFP sponsor, has seen amazing results:

16 centers have successfully signed on to provide meals (breakfast/lunch) and snacks;

over 110,000 meals and snacks have been served to 400 households and 383 children each month, of which 60% are from households that would qualify for free or reduced meals in grade schools;

over $81,000 has been reimbursed by the federal Child and Adult Food Program to these centers, two times the cost of the pilot project.

The Project has been so successful that is has now transitioned to a program of Child Care Resource, and they have applied for UWCC funding through our annaul Impact process in 2011. What a great example of community collaboration, this time to feed hungry kids!

The HelpFund Keeps People in Their Homes

2011-01-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

The HelpFund is a collaborative effort of community service providers and faith-based organizations to consolidate assistance and information to more efficiently respond to the emergency needs of people in Chittenden County who are at risk of losing their housing. Fueled by donations from individuals, supporting organizations, foundations and others with all donations going directly to those in need, partners with United Way of Chittenden County are:

Catholic Charities
COTS Housing Resource Center
CVOEO/Chittenden Community Action
Joseph’s House
JUMP (Joint Urban Ministries Project)
Milton Family Community Center
Salvation Army
VT Agency of Human Services DCF Economic Services
VT Agency of Human Services Field Services
Women Helping Battered Women

The HelpFund Team receives applications for assistance from area social service providers and meets weekly to review and process requests. Funding is limited, the HelpFund will not be able to financially assist every referred applicant.

Goals of the collaborative project are:

To prevent loss of housing – to assist households to stabilize finances during temporary emergencies.
To make the process of seeking aid clear, simple and dignified.
To make the process of granting aid orderly and the use of available funds efficient.
To provide temporary assistance for access to basic necessities such as fuel, employment (if connected to housing preservation), or shelter that provides a long-term positive difference for an individual or family.

Between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2010:

471 adults and 475 children (un-duplicated) received assistance who were from 16 towns in Chittenden County (and 4 outside of Chittenden County)
$79,097 was provided for rent or mortgage assistance
$41,506 was provided for utility assistance
$2,611 was provided for other needs that impacted housing stability
$25,000 was used to subsidize unaffordable rent until 25 Section 8 housing vouchers became available resulting in 31 adults with 38 children are now in permanently affordable housing
Eight single room occupancy units (in 2 apartments) have been secured to transition single individuals from the shelter where renters pay $500/month to the HelpFund, who in turn pays the landlord

Now those are some amazing statistics and show the power of a community working together!

The countdown begins...

2010-12-30T08:09:00.000-08:00

Every year on this day -- for the last seven years -- I begin the New Year's countdown by celebrating the birthday of my twin grandsons. Yes, they are seven today! And every year it reminds me of the blessings in my life that I will start the New Year counting. I have my health; I am warm at night; I have a wonderful job and an income that helps me pay my share of the bills; my husband is loving, kind and supportive of my goals and my dreams; and I have four children/step children (all with terrific spouses) who have brought me five amazing grandchildren. And, to top it all off, I have an abundance of loving friends and relatives who enrich my life day, after day, after day. I am so very fortunate.

But what it also reminds me is that there are thousands of people right here in Chittenden County not as lucky as I am. Their lives have not taken a path -- for whatever reason -- that has come to a place as full of riches as mine. So, as I reflect, I know that I need to try to help as many people as I can with whatever means our family has available. We can make a difference. We can invest in change. We can provide a part of the solution. It may be no surprise that my husband and I find the best way to do all of that by continuing to increase our support of United Way of Chittenden County (UWCC). You see, we know in our family that the network of programs and services funded by UWCC are high performing and well run. And, we know that the volunteer oversight and review ensures that our investment is well spent.

My husband and I urge you to join us in making a difference. Every single contribution counts. If everyone gives a little more, we will be able to make our community goal of $4.1 million and help thousands of people. We do matter, our contribution matters, and UWCC promises accountability.

Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support! I wish you a safe, happy, prosperous, and productive 2011. Bobbe Maynes

2010-12-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

Three weeks ago, at an All-School meeting, Kathy Barwin the principal at Founders Memorial School in Essex asked the students if they would be interested in doing a "Minute To Win It" game competition as a fundraiser for United Way. After delivering her message about how United Way benefits our community, she used student volunteers to demonstrate the six games that the student body could compete in to see if there was excitement to continue. She told the school that all students/teachers would be able to vote on the idea, and that only a super-majority (85% or more) would determine if the games would happen.

So, after receiving a super-majority vote to support the competition, the students raised money for one week to see which top four contributing classrooms would win a spot in the "Minute To Win It" game competition. Although Kathy thought a good goal would be $200, she was thrilled and surprised when the students raised $1,021.09 for United Way!

Today the four classrooms competed against one another in games that require "extensive skill," i.e.being able to move a cookie from your forehead into your mouth without using your hands, and other games of a similarly serious nature.
Stay tuned for pictures; we know they will be great!

And, what does this say about kids having no commitment to community?? It says that anyone who thinks that is dead wrong! Way to go, Founders students! You are our heroes.

Make a Gift to the Community!

2010-12-14T08:38:00.001-08:00

The Community Care Fund Campaign is going very well, but is far from over! We need every dollar we can raise to make it to our goal of $4.1 million. At this very busy time of year, how about donating $10, $20, $50 or whatever you think you can afford? It will keep people warm, fed, housed, safe, and so much more. Your gift can go a very long way! If you want to check out the many programs we supported at over 30 Member Agencies from last year's campaign, click here. And the, to donate, click here! It will make you feel so good to help. It is the holiday gift you can give to yourself! THANKS!

2010-12-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, we admit it. We are very proud of our success at UWCC with our own United Way Campaign We are small but mighty and raised $22,500! Applause, applause! Thanks to all my colleagues who stepped up to the community plate. You are my heroes.

Vermont Gas -- Whoa!!

2010-12-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

Who grew 23% in amount raised?? Vermont Gas Systems, that's who! And, not only did the campaign grow in dollars raised, but the company matches 50% of all the money raised! That is wonderful leadership from the top!

Now lets talk about participation.........drumroll please........87% which is up 2% from last year. Someone at Vermont Gas is using all the campaign best practices and getting results. Thanks to Caryn Boland and anyone on her team for making this such a huge success. You absolutely rock our world!

SECOND ANNUAL DINE UNITED

2010-12-01T12:01:00.001-08:00

One of the neatest ways to to purchase a holiday gift is to find one that keeps right on giving! And, if it mixes in some leisure time with a dinner out, how much better can it get?

Our Second Annual DINE UNITED event is coming up at Leunig's on the Church Street Marketplace all day on December 12th. Here is the deal:

Ten percent of your brunch, lunch, dinner and/or drink charges will be donated to United Way of Chittenden County all during the day. In addition, from the 12th through the 31st of December a purchase of the $50 Community Partner Card (good for a 20% discount off Leunig's meals all year) will provide a donation of $25 to United Way. If you purchased a card last year, renewing your card will result in the entire $50 being donated by Leunig's to United Way of Chittenden County.

So, come on down! What a great way to make a great event of holiday shopping: a meal at Leunig's that benefits the community; the purchase of a Community Partner Card for you and for your special friends or loved ones; and a the opportunity to win a dinner for two with tickets to the Roxy with the purchase of raffle tickets.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:24:00.000-08:00

First thank you to everyone who reaches out to help others in our community by LIVING UNITED! We are thankful for the continued culture of caring which Chittenden County represents. Your financial gifts, volunteer hours and your voice for those who are less able to advocate for themselves is what makes our small corner of Vermont -- the northwest coast of New England -- such an amazing place to call home.

As you reflect on your blessings today, please take a moment to read the Thanksgiving message from Scott Johnstone that appeared today in the Burlington Free Press. Scott is truly a dedicated and compassionate member of our United Way volunteer team of leaders and we want to share his thoughts far and wide. So pass the message along! Happy Thanksgiving. B.

2010-11-23T04:12:00.001-08:00

The Hickok and Boardman Team Do It Again

The United Way Campaign Committee at Hickok and Boardman --Sybil Chicoine, Jace Sheppard, Susan Griffin, Alacia Mann and Michael Kilfoyle -- have just reported in and the news is amazing:

$70,545.96 was raised through the H&B Network of Companies Employees and Associates!
58% of H&B Employees & Associates increased their pledge over the previous year! (A chance to win an iPad generously donated by the owners of H&B was a great incentive.)
Overall pledge participation increased 18% with 93% of H&B Employees & Associates returning pledge cards (without a doubt, participation in all of their fund-raising activities exceeded 100%)

And still, there is one leadership gift that is not recorded. Whew!! And why was that campaign so successful? Here's what the committee says:

"The H&B Events continue to show our fun spirit and this year’s highlight was our GLEE competition involving Employees & Associates from all of our Divisions."
"Acadia Insurance joined our H&B Campaign this year and was included in several of our events."
"Over 100 lbs of art supplies were collected for The Burlington Boys & Girls Club!"
"47 cell phones were collected for Women Helping Battered Women!"

Not to be outdone, they report early planning for next year!

Thanks to everyone at H&B from United Way. We are "singing" your praises!

Want to take a look at the GLEE performances? Click here!

Our Member Agencies Walk the Walk

2010-11-19T02:27:00.000-08:00

We are so proud of our United Way of Chittenden County Member Agencies! With just nine of the 30 reporting their campaign results so far, the news is inspiring. Challenged by one of their colleagues (Church Hindes, the President and CEO of the VNA) to get to 50% participation of all the agency employees, the early reports have the collective group at 32%, (see their progress thermometer at right). Here are some highlights:

Visiting Nurse Association is the 2nd largest member agency with close to 300 employees. Remarkably, even with this large staff they were able to reach nearly 85% participation!

Boys & Girls Club of Burlington had a raffle to encourage pledging. Their Executive Director spoke about her support of United Way at their staff meeting.

Champlain Community Services hit their goal of 80% participation with great enthusiasm for United Way. They spread that enthusiasm beyond their internal by sponsoring a “dough raiser” dine out event at Uno’s to benefit United Way of Chittenden County .

CVAA kept their employees aware of the progress of the campaign by setting up a Thanksgiving-themed display that grew as pledges grew, and did agency-wide reminder messages. Participation hit 68%!

We realize that each and every one of our Member Agencies needs to do their own fundraising to accomplish their missions, so THANK YOU to all of you for investing in our community and for supporting one another. Keep up the great work!

Who Says Accountants Aren't Fun?!

2010-11-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Say what you want about accountants not being fun! We know that absolutely is not true. (My husband is a banker and sometimes gets that feedback about bankers, who we KNOW are fun!). Anyhow, our friends at Gallagher Flynn just finished their United Way Campaign and raised over $17,000! Tammy Crossman from their team reported that the success was all about combining pledging with fun -- which included Wii bowling, a putting competition, trivia questions and more. They committee (who Tammy says has been doing this for a long time) also reported an 88% participation rate -- wow! Thanks to everyone at Gallagher Flynn for wonderful support of the community.

Pictrued above: Lynda putts her way to the finish line!

Team United Way Over the 1/2 Way Mark!

2010-11-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

Our Team UNITED WAY is at 47% participation and have raised $13,949. Just a day and 1/2 to go to get to our goal. Come on TEAM UWCC!!

2010-11-10T06:46:00.000-08:00

Go Team United Way!! We are at 39% participation and had pledged 57% of our fundraising goal!! Let's keep up the healthy living campaign to improve people's lives! Still time to make your pledge by the end of today to be eligible for a wellness day -- but remember, you need to increase your pledge over last year or make a pledge if you did not pledge in 2009. Thanks!!

2010-11-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

We were proud to be in attendance for the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber's 100th Anniversary Celebration last night. In addition to a review of the amazing number of accomplishments our key community partners has logged over that 100 years, there were four awards made to some individuals and businesses who exemplify caring for others. In every case the presentation of the award included work done on behalf of others -- to advance the common good of the Chittenden County, Vermont and global community. Thank you to Sara Byers from Leonardo's Pizza Inc., Frank Petrosino from Paul Frank + Collins, Revision Eyewear, and Encore Redevelopment of Burlington. Your stories were inspirational and your contributions to the world around you -- beyond the place you work -- are to be given highest praise. Bravo to you all! To read the Burlington Free Press report, click here. And thanks to the Chamber for a wonderful evening!

United Way of Chittenden County is Almost Half Way to Our Internal Campaign Goal!

2010-11-09T11:50:00.001-08:00

As of noon yesterday, we are at 33% participation and nearly half way to goal! Go team United Way! And, check out our new participation thermometer to the right.

Champlain Community Services Pushing for 80% Participation

2010-11-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

Champlain Community Services, one of our 30 Member Agencies, is pushing to get to 80% participation in their workplace United Way campaign. Mike Reilly, the Keyperson at CCS reported yesterday that 31 of their 39 employees had donated and if just one more person turns in a pledge, they can reach 80%! What an amazing achievement and congrats to everyone there! Last year, just 23 employees of 38 total joined the campaign, or 57%. The pledging part of their campaign has raised an additional $460 over 2009.

A very clever match was proposed to all employees of CCS, i.e. Mike and the Executive Director Kelley Homiller challenged their colleagues by agreeing to add an additional $2 and $3 respectively for any new donors or increased gift donors this year -- all from their personal pockets! Thanks Mike and Kelley for LIVING UNITED!!

We Are Practicing What We Preach!

2010-11-08T15:08:00.001-08:00

We kicked off our own United Way campaign today at UWCC and we are headed for victory! Our goal is 94% participation and we hope to raise $21,000! Thanks to Dr. Stuart Offer from the Y who presented a great program on balancing work and life!

Stay tuned for our results and take a look at our goal thermometer at the right!

Champlain College Did Not Just Leave it to Beaver!

2010-11-05T14:17:00.000-07:00

What a way to close our week with the news that Champlain College blew past their 45% participation goal and reached an all time high of 50% -- the highest of all the colleges in Chittenden County ever!! Way to go, friends at Champlain. With Steve Mease and Chauncey leading the charge, you truly did "blow it out of the pond!" Thank you all for supporting the community and the thousands of beneficiaries that receive services from our amazing Member Agency programs.

Want to read more? Take a look at the Champlain College blog.

VNA Goal Thermometer Blows Its Top!!

2010-11-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

This just in! The Visiting Nurse Association, one of our United Way Member Agencies and partners in many collaborative initiatives set a campaign participation goal of 80%! We were astounded and excited that they would raise the bar from 77.24% participation last year, and also that they would set a $39,000 fundraising goal. Well, guess what? They blew the top off the thermometer of their campaign with 248 pledges -- 84.5% AND they raised $41,000!! Way to go , VNA. Huge admiration and thanks coming your way! Your campaign raised nearly 6% more than last year, and your participation increased by over 9%!

Hickok and Boardman Always Makes it Fun!

2010-11-02T05:08:00.000-07:00

Campaign success does not just happen! There are some key ingredients of a successful workplace campaign to support United Way, and FUN is a key ingredient! At their Kick Off yesterday, Hickok and Boardman once again over the top in the FUN category. We hear from a very good source (i.e. Gretchen Morse our Executive Director who played Sue from Glee) that Lady Gaga even made an appearance!

To see the other performances, and to ID some prominent people in our community, click below.
(As you know, H&B is divided into three companies representing Financial Planning, Insurance and Real Estate.)

Financial Planning
Real Estate

So, which company hired Lady Gaga??? Oh, and what were the words to her hit song?

No Matter the Weather -- SecurShred Was There!

2010-11-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday on a windy, rainy and cold morning, the folks at SecurShred we braving the weather for the benefit of the community. Although we do no yet know the results, the "Shred Ten Tons" event -- which was for the benefit of United Way -- had a steady stream of cars bringing their shreddable papers, and a group of SecurShred staff members LIVING UNITED with enthusiasm! Thanks to Karen Marshall from SecurShred for launching the event and thanks to everyone who gave up their Saturday morning to make a difference in our community by "shredding for good!"

2010-10-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Waiting for “Superman?” United Ways and other organizations across the country are using this documentary film, by Oscar®-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, as a catalyst for community conversations among a diverse group a stakeholders including parents, teachers, school boards, elected officials, the faith community, business leaders, nonprofit partners and young people.

The movie’s urgency frames the opportunity for individuals, institutions and organizations to give, advocate and volunteer in ways that support our students, teachers and schools. We encourage you to see the film and talk with people about what you think is needed to support quality education for children. Community engagement and dialogue are powerful tools for finding solutions to complex challenges.

UWCC has partnered for many years with the community to support the development and education of children. In the coming month, this newsletter will profile the many ways UWCC, our partners and our donors invest in children, teachers, and schools.

Waiting for “Superman”
Merrill’s Roxy Theater
Now through Thursday November 4
Daily show times: 1:10 3:40 6:50 9:15pm

Thanks for the support -- media friends!

2010-10-29T05:40:00.001-07:00

Every year when our hundreds of community volunteers are working hard to get to our United Way fundraising goal, there are key media partners who help us relay our message, supporting United Way with ink and editorials. We thank them all for having the best interests our our community at heart. In the midst of an incredibly busy political campaign season for the midterm elections, we thank our media friends for remembering the reason we are working hard to raise money -- to improve people's lives! Take a look at the BFP ad that appeared today in the Savorvore section, page 3D (image in the right hand column here) and also, listen to a brief message from our friends at WPTZ.

Also, look for our series of advertising messages compliments of Vermont Business Magazine, month after month!

Kudos to our United Way Member Agencies!

2010-10-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

We are proud of our 30 United Way Member Agencies who work every day to help the people who live beside us, among us and with us. If you think about it for a moment or two, you can easily recall someone who has been helped by one of the over 60 programs we are able to fund in our Member Agency portfolio of services. And, guess what -- they are supporting the community with their own United Way workplace campaigns! It is all about community folks, so how about doing your part as well. When you reach our a hand to one, it impacts the condition of all. That's what it means to LIVE UNITED! So come on-- make a pledge and join the movement! It is such an easy way to help SO many people with just a click of your mouse. You will feel good about doing it.

Indian Summer Thoughts

2010-10-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

Headed for my morning swim, I was amazed at the color still on the trees. With the promise of an Indian Summer day -- long after we might expect -- I was relishing the promise of sun and warmth. Then it struck me. People right here in this amazing part of Vermont are still homeless or seeking shelter, and many with a roof over their heads are already worrying about how to manage fuel to keep their families warm this winter. But I always come back to this: a donation to United Way can help in SO many ways. Take a look at all that we were able to fund last year as a result of the generosity of our community by clicking here. The programs receiving funding are many, and the people helped throughout Chittenden County number over 100,000.

So, join us all at United Way and LIVE UNITED! Your donation will have so much impact when pooled with thousands of others.

2010-10-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

An amazing workplace campaign kicked off today at the Visiting Nurse Association, one of our Member Agencies. Can you guess what their theme is and what this mask means??

Post your answers! (By the way, this is a very large wall poster -- see the lamp for scale!)

2010-10-24T09:56:00.001-07:00

Check out this link to see three articles about United Way partnership events. Thanks to the Other Paper for coverage!

2010-10-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

Good News:
Green Mountain Power’s campaign started 10/15 and just four days later, 124 donors have helped GMP get to 65% of their goal!

Looking ahead:
Downs Rachlin Martin
Future Planning Associates
Grippin Donlan & Roche
Hickok & Boardman
Key Bank
Redstone Commercial Group
TruexCullins … and more

Campaigns kicking off or in progress week of 10/25

Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP 10/25
Greater Burlington YMCA 10/26 (UWCC Member Agency)
Visiting Nurses Association 10/26
Merrill Lynch subsidiary of Bank of America 10/27
Burlington Children's Space 10/27 (UWCC Member Agency)
Prevent Child Abuse VT 10/27 (UWCC Member Agency)
Strategic Risk Solutions 10/28
Asten Johnson Filaments 10/28
WPTZ 10/28
Blodgett Supply -- Ongoing
Champlain Community Service -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)
Comcast -- Ongoing
Conant Metal & Light -- Ongoing
Costco -- Ongoing
Food Science -- Ongoing
Goss Dodge -- Ongoing
Green Mountain Power Corporation -- Ongoing
Hayward Tyler Manufacturing -- Ongoing
HowardCenter (UWCC Member Agency)
King Street Center -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)
Mercy Connections -- Ongoing
Milton Family community Center -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)
Neagley Chase Construction -- Ongoing
Peoples United Bank -- Ongoing
RealPage -- Ongoing
ReSOURCE -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)
Sara Holbrook Community Center -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)
Sheehey Furlong & Behm -- Ongoing
The DREAM Program -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)
The Offset House -- Ongoing
Transition II -- Ongoing
VT Works for Women -- Ongoing (UWCC Member Agency)