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May 1, 2008 United Way Annual Celebration and Awards Breakfast
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Del Val Students Called to Action! Many college students opt for a little rest and relaxation over Spring Break, but this year a number of Delaware Valley College students are doing just the opposite by giving up sandy beaches and a life of leisure to take part in the United Way Alternative Spring Break. This month the group will head to the Gulf Coast Region and join hundreds of students from across the country who are all helping to rebuild this community, still rebounding from Hurricane Katrina. Whether struggling to recover from the devastation of incredibly powerful hurricanes or combating the economic challenges that prevent our nation’s inner cities from realizing their potential, United Ways across the country are harnessing the power of young people to make a meaningful difference over their Spring Break in 2008. The Del Val students are raising their own money for the trip and have a web page where the public can support their effort and follow along with their experience. Click Here to visit their site.
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If “Results Matter”, then let’s start there…
Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Buck$ Back initiative is a free tax preparation service for low and moderate income Bucks County residents. In a partnership role, United Way helped the program expand Buck$ Back's capacity with a $25,000 venture grant, enabling it to open more locations and serve more people this year. More people means more work, so United Way also helped recruit corporate and community volunteer tax preparers. United Way cares about Financial Stability and Economic Self-Sufficiency, and this is just one example of how we are helping people on their way to financial independence. A relatively modest financial investment, mobilization of community volunteers and lots of hard work yields huge results, and improves the financial well-being of low-income working families.
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United Way of Bucks County has the "right prescription" for uninsured customers needing prescription medications In 2007, people saved over $100,000 from the retail price of prescription medication as a result of a partnership with the Familywize Program. The program provides discount cards free of charge to people who have no prescription coverage. “If we do nothing else, in terms of promoting the cards, savings will eclipse $200,000 in 2008”, said Bill Schofield, CEO of United Way. “But, we’re looking to go much further, and would like to triple the 2007 results in 2008”, he continued. Robert Levy, a pharmacist at Target Stores in Langhorne, recounts this story… “One of my customers came in and was using the card for the second time. He was an elderly gentleman with no insurance. He typically paid over $200 per month for his medication, but with the card, he now saves over $120 each month. With tears in his eyes he told me how grateful he was for the card… he no longer had to choose between his medicine and food, and could eat a decent meal.” Savings range from just under a dollar to hundreds of dollars, but are averaging over $23 per transaction. Click here to download a paper card. Feel free to forward or pass along to a friend. Call United Way of Bucks County if you are a pharmacy, business, nonprofit, or other organization and would like to have a supply of cards at your location. 215.949.1660 ext 112 |
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United Way campaigns aren’t just for the fall… You may not know that United Way campaigns are conducted all through the year. Based on your company's particular business cycle, the spring might be a better time than the traditional fall months. United Way of Bucks County is happy to work with you whenever you choose to run your workplace campaign. Here’s a look into a company campaign that’s running right now... Advertising Specialty Institute: ASI has been a great supporter of the community through the United Way of Bucks County for as long as any of us can remember. They’re also quite active with a number of other efforts, and are a true community partner. Throughout the year, the ASI team conducts food drives for the Red Cross Homeless Shelter and supports a number of other charities. When it comes time for the United Way campaign, President & CEO, Tim Andrews, has this to say… "It's important to do good in business and do good in the community. Our first-ever 'Pay it Forward' campaign to support United Way has been successful. By signing up for payroll deductions, staff contribute automatically all year long and feel great about their contributions going to resources that help people right when they need it." The culture at ASI is something special… they like to have fun and get the job done! This year, there are friendly competitions between departments, and winners get a special lunch. Early tallies on the results are promising with almost triple the number of last year’s donors on the books already. “In my job I see a lot of companies, and when I walk into ASI, I see people who are connected to a mission and part of something special," said Bill Schofield, CEO of United Way. “That connectedness is surely a big factor in their business success, but it also plays out in improved lives and community conditions though their involvement with United Way, Red Cross and others”, he continued. |
To learn more about ASI, visit their website at www.asicentral.com |
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Call to Community to Aid Food Pantries HOW OPERATION HELPING HAND WORKS: Students should bring food to school on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008. Parents and school personnel: please remember to encourage students to bring food to school on that day. Volunteers will pick up all of the food on the following day. Click for more information
Michael Galperin, Student, Klinger Middle School Emma Shipley, 2nd Grade, Newtown Friends School
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Red Cross Shelter Fund Hits Mark Toward the end of 2007, it came to light that close to $100,000 of grant funding, crucial to the operation of the American Red Cross Homeless Shelter, would be lost for the 2008 fiscal year beginning this July. United Way of Bucks County already supports the Homeless Shelter in the amount of $32,000 each year because of how important this service is to the community. Realizing the severity of the impact of the grant funding loss, United Way responded in the following ways: First, the United Way Board authorized $25,000 in emergency support to be used as a challenge match to the community. Foundations Community Partnership of Doylestown added $10,000 to the matching fund. The Bucks County Courier Times provided pro bono ad space to help highlight the issue and encourage the community to respond... and respond they did! Contributions from $5 to $5,000 came streaming in. Bucks County Commissioner, Jim Cawley, was one of the first to pledge support. Much to our delight, Jim and his wife Suzanne appeared in the United Way office with a significant check to put the matching fund over the top. Second, United Way is working with the Red Cross to proactively plan for the future and ensure that the inevitable fluctuations in government funding won't have such a dramatic effect on operations. Part of that work is strategic planning to help diversify revenue streams. Additionally, the Red Cross is looking at ways to do more with less, while still meeting the needs of their clients. United Way / Foundations Community Partnership Matching Fund Donors Gifts in Memory: Gifts in Honor of:
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Major Support from: $4,000 and above 3-D Printing & Copy Center James & Suzanne Cawley Sovereign Bank
$1,000 to $3,999 David & Carolyn Cautilli Linda P. Manzo Karen & Gary Shorts Darrell & Anne V. Tuomari
All gifts listed were matched by No administrative or
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Other Major Contributions made The County of Bucks
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To learn more about United Way of Bucks
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