LIVE UNITED Y’All!

1. Attend the Taste of BoomBozz on Wednesday, March 24th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
2. Enjoy yourself! $15 gets you in for a pizza & appetizer buffet and wine & beer tastings.
3. Feel GREAT knowing that your attendance is helping to support your Metro United Way!

BoomBozz Taphouse is generously donating 100% of the proceeds from the Taste of BoomBozz event to Metro United Way. So your $15 admission not only gets you in to enjoy the event, but also means that more people are helped through Metro United Way funded agencies and programs, initiatives like Success By 6 and services like 2-1-1.

BoomBozz Taphouse
1448 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

March 24th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Please join us! Simply purchase your tickets using the Google Checkout button below. (No ticket or receipt is needed to get in. Just give the name of the ticket purchaser at the door!)

Events BoomBozz Taphouse, fun!, fundraiser, Taste of BoomBozz

By Kelly Thompson, Director of Engagement Initiatives

As the saying goes, “It is not a question of IF, but WHEN.” When disasters strike a community, a county, a state, a nation, we all hope and pray that some kind of preparedness plan is in place. Very often, there is a plan, but it turns out to be a partial or uncompleted plan for action.

As a community we’ve watched as many disasters have affected our community in the past two years: the windstorm, the ice storm, and the flood of August 4^th, 2009. As a world we watched in horror the naturally occurring events that affected our brothers and sisters in Haiti this year and in 2009 our neighbors in Indonesia.

In all of these instances we’ve asked ourselves, “What can I do to help?” and “What can I do to protect myself and my family?” These questions are important to ask and even more important to contemplate as a part of a preparedness plan.

At Metro United Way we’ve witnessed first hand the overwhelming outpouring of caring, and volunteer time given by those in our community to help those in extreme need. This past fall we welcomed over 500 volunteers who came to aid of those needing flood clean-up assistance; these responders, and those participating in previous disasters were instrumental in creating the rapid action required to get help to people as soon as possible.

What we’ve learned from these experiences is that we would like to formally create a list of “Ready-Responders” joining an elite list of volunteers who agree to heed the call of duty when a disaster strikes.

Are you interested in becoming a member of this special group? Chances are if you have responded to our calls for flood volunteers, or windstorm volunteers we’ve got your name, but we want to hear from you just in case!

You can drop us a email at the Volunteer Engagement Center at patty.belden@metrounitedway.org or stopping by our Metro United Way booth at the upcoming Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, February 29^th from Noon until 4pm.

Louisville Emergency Preparedness Fair

Saturday, February 27, 2010

11:30 am  Kickoff with Mayor Jerry Abramson

12:00 – 4:00 pm

The Salvation Army Male Campus

911 South Brook Street.

Free Admission

Bring a canned good for Dare to Care Collection

Door Prizes  –  Children’s Activities   –   Food & Drink

Come learn what you can do to be better prepared  - as an individual, a family, a block or street, a neighborhood,  suburban city,  subdivision,  condo association, church group, Scout group, service group, etc.

Education for Everyone! Take advantage of these free trainings at the Fair:

• Family Emergency Planning
• Power Line Safety
• Generator Safety
• Making a 72-hour survival kit
• Document storage – what documents do you need and storage options
• Red Cross Training
• Heating and cooking without power
• Caring for Pets in an emergency

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

Do your have ready for yourself, your family & your neighbors:

• A 72-hour survival kit
• An Evacuation plan
• Food & water for emergencies
• A plan for no electricity
• Know your neighbors

Events, Volunteering Disaster, emergency, emergency preparedness, Haiti

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

Talk about pomp and circumstance! One can only imagine what a great and inspiring commencement address students and proud family members would hear if President Barack Obama delivers the graduation address message to the Eagles at Eastern, the Yellow Jackets at Central High School or some lucky Bulldogs at New Albany High School. I am sure any school in our region would never be the same.  

Well if you haven’t heard yet…this could really happen thanks to an exciting contest that is underway and dubbed as The Race to the Top High School Challenge. The “Race” as I will call it, encourages schools to share how they are making strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness.

What a great opportunity to spread the word and encourage your favorite school or student you know to check it out, enter the contest and GO FOR IT!  Don’t delay as the deadline is fast approaching for March 15^th and President Obama will select the winner of the contest from the entries who make it as finalists. The application has four essay questions that focus on demonstrating how your school is helping prepare students to meet the President’s 2020 goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

Regardless of your political views, we can all agree that we all win in our community when children succeed in school, graduate on time and continue to college or gain technical skills for employment in today’s economy.

As a proud member of the EHS class of 1982…I do not remember who spoke in the hot gym at graduation. I bet if it had been the President of the United States of America I would have!  To learn more visit     http://www.whitehouse.gov/commencement

Education, Events, General Cental High School, Eastern High School, Graduation Commencement, New Albany High School, President Obama, Race to the Top, School Contest

By Kerri Cokeley

For some Clark County (IN) area residents – the YMCA is coming to you!

At Metro United Way, our teams of volunteers are always looking for new ways to address the underlying causes of issues faced by our community. Last summer, Metro United Way’s Clark County Community Solutions Committee held a conversation with local agencies working to combat childhood obesity to see if there was something more we could be doing in this area. What emerged was a pilot “Neighborhood Outdoor Youth-Play Initiative” that is being led by the YMCA of Southern Indiana.

The goals of the program:
• Get youth engaged in healthy outdoor play and games
• Encourage and foster lasting neighborhood friendships
• Reduce youth obesity
• Educate youth and adults about healthy actions and eating
• Help parents connect with other parents
• Empower neighborhoods to create safe opportunities for youth
• Be creative and have fun

The YMCA has been facilitating one week of organized games, activities, and a family gathering each season in five different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood will have four weeks of youth activities and four parent / family interaction activities in this year-long pilot program.

The next round of sessions will be held in the neighborhood surrounding the schools on the following dates:

Jan. 11- Jan. 15: Parkwood
Jan. 25 – Jan.29: Maple
Feb. 8 – Feb.12: Bridgepoint
March 1- 5: Jonathan Jennings
March 15-19: YMCA Clark County Branch

Do you live in one of these neighborhoods, or know someone who does? If so, will you help us spread the word about this new initiative? The more people who participate, the better our outcomes, and the greater the likelihood it can grow to even more neighborhoods.

Through this effort, we will do much more than play around! The YMCA will be creating opportunities for adult neighbors to participate in fun activities with the youth, meet one another, and exchange names and numbers with other parents with same-age children. Our hope is that we can engage adults to serve as mentors, catalysts, and safety patrol for ongoing youth play even if it is in the yards and common space close to their homes.

For more information, contact the YMCA of Southern Indiana at (812) 283-9622.

Events, Health Bridgepoint Elementary School, Johnathan Jennings Elementary, Maple Elementary School, Parkwood Elementary School, YMCA of Southern Indiana

By Kate McNatt

Metro United Way wants to thank all the kind folks at General Electric, who just donated 4,600 portable space heaters to people in need during these cold winter months. Metro United Way will be the leader in distributing the space heaters, and the Salvation Army, a Metro United Way agency, is going to serve as the distribution site.

There are two opportunities to get involved (see below).  Volunteers will be handling boxes of heaters and should be able to lift up to 36 lbs.  Boxes may be dusty or dirty so please dress accordingly.  If you can help, please call Patty Belden at 502-292-6152 or email patty.belden@metrounitedway.org.  As always, thanks for your support!

Thursday January 14th – Distribution to Agencies

Location: Salvation Army

6709 Preston Highway

Louisville, KY 40219

Shift A: 1:00pm – 3:00pm         Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift B: 3:00pm – 5:00pm         Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift C: 5:00pm – 7:00pm         Volunteers Needed = 6

Friday January 15^th – Distribution to Agencies

Location: Salvation Army

6709 Preston Highway

Louisville, KY 40219

Shift A:  8:00am – 10:00am      Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift B: 10:00am – 12:00pm     Volunteers Needed = 6

Shift C: 12:00pm – 2:00pm       Volunteers Needed = 6

Events, General, Volunteering Community, Live United, making a difference, opportunity, Volunteer

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

I will admit that I love how Hank can bellow….Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? And, I am. I am ready and excited about the hiring of Coach Charlie Strong for the University of Louisville so I will attribute this seemingly football inspired United Way blog to this fact. The recent press conference introducing the new Coach won me over when he shared his heart and emotion over the joy of attaining his career dream of a head coaching position and the opportunity to lead a program. It was so easy to feel his sincerity when he spoke and now it will be even easier to pull for his success both on the field and in the community.

It continues to be an exciting time of year in NFL football also as the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals continue to rack up the W’s. While these two teams are perhaps the closest we have in our region to a home NFL team, it doesn’t matter whether you are a Colts fan or on the “Who-Dey” train right now, the NFL is deserving of recognition for the longstanding partnership and support of the United Way movement. Did you know that for 35 years, thispartnership has been a shining example of the tangible good that can be leveraged into a powerful vehicle for real change in people’s lives and the community?  Check out how the NFL LIVES UNITED and see if you can find one of your team’s favorite players too!

Yes, Tis the season for football and also for giving thanks and sharing. The words THANK YOU are two of the most powerful words you can speak, share and that you can hear. Thank you for helping make our community a better place to live and work.  If you gave in your campaign at work for United Way, thank you for caring and sharing to help change the lives of those who pass by you every day. The change we strive to create at Metro United Way doesn’t happen without you. Don’t just take my word for it….take a quick look at our recent field trip. It was a LIVE UNITED thank you tour. Check it out and you will see how we surprised a few loyal donors while they were working. I think you can imagine their surprise and you can also see the strong feelings created with an in-person and heartfelt thank you.

Advocacy, Events, General, Giving, Volunteering Charlie Strong, Common good, community change, Football, Live United, Louisville, NFL, passion, thank you, United Way

So, I hesitate to write this appeal just after Kerri has explained how not to go into debt this year….but if you’re still looking for unique and ridiculously nice gifts at a great price (and from a local retailer!), come out on Sunday, December 12th to both Louisville area Two Chicks & Co locations:

- 409 Spring Street in Jeffersonville - right next to Come Back Inn

- 12121 Shelbyville Road in Middletown

They’ll donate 15% of purchases that day to Metro United Way. Go ahead, buy yourself something nice, too!

Events, Giving Giving, local partnership, shop for a cause

By Jim Littlefield-Dalmares, Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies

I wanted to write all my Metro United Way buddies and share a little story that hopefully moves you and might help you also as we enter that final push in the campaign.

Yesterday was a long day for me - up at 5:45, off to a business meeting at 6:50…back to back meetings til about 2, then a tour for 20 at 4 o’clock….raced through traffic to get my kids at 5:50 - just before the $1 per minute penalty to get them after 6..and off to Macy’s where over 60 of our clients were going for “Try on day” to get ready for our big Fashion show on Sat. Nov. 21st.

But just being there for 10 short minutes reminded me of what I already knew..and what makes long days worth it. For everyone with Metro United Way, it’s a reminder of what “productive people with disabilities” is all about.

You see, our kids are not usually the stars, captains of the team, class presidents, or the ones in the spotlight. But at our Holiday Fashion show, it is all about them.

And yesterday they were beaming. I learned of one little girl who had never had a dress before. I watched another boy (a kid who had half his brain removed due to extreme seizures) strut his stuff as he tried on a complete suit, vest and all.

And then I saw Emily, a little girl who captured hearts three years ago in her “Mrs. Clause” type red outfit using her walker, then last year used a cane, and was so excited last night because this year she plans to WALK in the Fashion show for the first time. I am not sure her exact age - but I think she’s about 9 or 10.   In her you have a short, mid-term, and long range “outcome” that was set, strived for, measured, and reached.   And of course to see her cross that stage in a few weeks on her own, will be priceless.

So I tell you this for two reasons:

1. You matter - I know in tough times the campaign can be hard.  But without Metro United Way funding, some of the kids I saw yesterday would not be coming to our Center.  This is the “end product” that the therapy donations to Metro United Way produces - kids out living active lives.   So never tire of working hard for them - the smiles I saw yesterday are what makes it all worth it.
2. Come - and bring others - if you ever wanted to re-inspire a donor, a volunteer, an Employee Coordinator, or anyone that might get behind Metro United Way in the coming year - or right now- what better way to show them why their gift matters. The event is just $5 to come - so it’s practically free.

But I can say based on watching it the past six years that I have never met a person who attended who was not so happy that they took the time to come. It’s even great for families, as many parents love to remind their “regular kids” how lucky they are. So please feel free to “utilize” our event as a tangible way to show those who support Metro United Way why their gifts matter more than ever.

In the past we’ve used church halls and venues that quite honestly we just about fill with all the “fans” of each model. This year we have 66 kids signed up! But this year we’re at duPont Manual High School and there auditorium holds 1,400 people - so I think we have enough room to invite as many people as we want.

Jim

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time from us at the Center, or at the door.

Thank you for what you do every day to help us discover the ability in every child!

(502) 635-6397, ext. 26.

www.kidscenterky.org

- Jim

Events, General, Giving fashion show, inspiration, Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies

It’s not too late to purchase a ticket to “Taste of Louisville” and here’s the best part-the event benefits Metro United Way!

Each year the Louisville Chapter of the Kentucky Restaurant Association sponsors Taste of Louisville to celebrate Louisville’s excellent culinary community. Taste of Louisville will feature more than 50 of the Best Food and Beverage selections Louisville has to offer!

The 36^th Annual Taste of Louisville event is scheduled for tonight, September 29^th, 2009 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Hotel located near the Louisville International Airport. (Side note-the hotel is renovated and is absolutely gorgeous! I had my wedding reception there just are few short weeks ago!)

For more information or to purchase tickets, call Essential Details at (502) 499-6478.

See you there!

Events, General community events, Taste of Louisville

Who doesn’t love a big bowl of chili when the weather starts to cool? This year Metro United Way is planning a Chili Cook-Off to benefit our internal campaign. Metro United Way staff will serve as the chefs, and everyone is invited to join in the feast! Details are below:

What: Metro United Way Chili Cook-Off!

When: Oct. 16, 2009

Time: 11:30-1:30

Where: Metro United Way, Training Rooms A and B

Who: All staff are invited to participate in the competition, EVERYONE is invited to eat!

Why: To benefit the 2009 MUW internal campaign

How it will work:

· Staff interested in entering a pot of chili in the competition need to complete an entrance form and email it back to Angie NO LATER THAN October 1, 2009

· Each entrant is responsible for making enough chili to serve at least 8-10 servings.

· Each entrant is also responsible for providing their own “garnishes” such as: spaghetti, crackers, cheese, etc. to be served with their chili (optional), as well serving utensils.

· Entrants must have their chili set-up and ready to be served by 11:00 a.m. on the designated tables in TRA and TRB.

· Diners pay $5.00 at the entrance to try as many “tastes” as they want (small cups will be provided).  Diners can go back to purchase a whole bowl of their favorite chili for an extra $2.00 (large bowls will be provided).

· Before diners exit, they may cast a vote for their favorite chili (tickets will be provided).  All votes must be cast by 2:00 p.m.

· The Internal Campaign Committee budget will cover the cost of drinks.

· Those interested in participating, but who do not have a famous chili recipe at home can participate by bringing a dessert to share instead.  Please see Angie to get the form to complete for this, as well.

· Agency executives, MUW Board of Directors, volunteers, and MUW staff, friends, and family are invited to participate.

· The chef of the winning chili will win a much-desired prize (TBD)

Events, Giving campaign, chili, cook-off