Posted by Neva Geisler, Director, Volunteer Engagement
More than 1200 people showed up to support the community over a plate of flapjacks at yesterday’s campaign kickoff breakfast–doubling last year’s attendance.
This was a first time event for United Way. In the past, we’ve done your basic big event breakfast, $30 tickets, reserved tables, a program of the coming year. But that kind of event never quite felt consistent with UW’s broad community focus. Anybody can give or volunteer with UW, and anybody might be a beneficiary of a UW program, so it seemed like we should kick off our campaign with an event that anybody could come to. And thanks to some great sponsors: Simplot, Albertson’s/Supervalu, KTVB, we were able to throw the kind of party that reflects how we feel about this year’s campaign and the work ahead of us–a celebration OF community and FOR the community where everyone could be a part of it. The fact that our numbers doubled makes us feel like we really got it right.
Check out our Celebrity Pancake Flippers!
Governor and Mrs. Otter Flipping Flapjacks for United Way
Blog post by Neva Geisler, Director of Volunteer Engagement
We’re going to raise $6 million during this year’s campaign.
I say this with confidence because I believe it. I believe it so much, in fact, that I’m already thinking of the agencies who are going to be relieved to hear that in an economic downturn, when their resources are being stressed to the max, they’re going to get a little extra help from their community.
I believe it because the Idaho Foodbank just told me not to send over a group of volunteers because they didn’t have enough food on their shelves for them to sort. I believe it because Jesse Tree, an emergency rental assistance agency who receives UW grant money, recently told us they are receiving more requests for help from intact families than ever before.
Hardworking people who are living paycheck to paycheck, are struggling under dramatic increases in food, energy and gas prices. When they can’t quite make it to the next paycheck, these are the services that are there to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks.
And it’s not just these emergency services, it’s the stuff that prevents people from being at risk in the first place–it’s programs that help youth reach their potential, families achieve financial stability, and substance abuse recovery and mental health crisis services. Last year’s community donations are at work at more than 30 different agencies in the Treasure Valley. View the list.
When you look at the web of services, how they all work together to lift people to a better quality of life, it is impossible to choose where you’d make the cuts.
Which is why I believe that we can raise $6 million–because we can and we have to.
Blog post by Melissa Nickell, Director, Community Impact Investments
The Community Investment Process is one of the most eye opening experiences I’ve had. I had no idea how many community members were willing to (and do) invest their free time to improve the lives of those around them. All while asking for nothing in return. Over 65 volunteers and over 1,900 volunteer hours spent in three months reviewing applications for accuracy, asking questions, listening to agency presentations, having lengthy discussions and personally visiting every agency applying for funds. It is clear that anyone signing up for this volunteer opportunity is dedicated to improving the community and willing to invest what it takes to make it happen. Even if it means driving over an hour during a snow storm… yes, it’s been done!
I can honestly say that I learned more about the needs of the community as well as the level of care and generosity during the three months of the investment process than I had in the eight years of living in Boise prior to the experience. Every agency offers a different perspective and yet, they all work together. Every volunteer offers a different perspective and area of experience and they also work together as a team to make some really tough decisions. How much are we able to invest and where will it make the most positive impact on the community? This is no easy task when the amount requested is twice as much as the amount available to invest. But the difficult investment decisions are made every year thanks to the time and efforts of those who take on the time intensive opportunity.
One thing I often hear from Review Team Volunteers is how much they have learned and what a great opportunity it is. Although it is a large time commitment, it is also a very rewarding one. And at the end of the day, or I should say at the end of the month, they have helped to ensure that contributions from over 15,000 donors who generously contributed to the Community Care Fund were invested in the best way to help the most people.
Ever wonder who you’re helping when you check that little box for payroll deduction during your United Way campaign? Look around—because 100 percent of your gift to the United Way Community Fund is going to work to improve lives of people who live right here in the Treasure Valley.
The entirety of your donation is invested in your community, reaching people in 50 different programs at 32 local agencies.
Chances are, you interact with someone touched by your gift to United Way every day; at work, at the grocery store, at school—your gift supports your community. Listen to stories from people whose lives have been changed in the Community Campaign video:
I retired from Micron Technology several years ago and began casting about for an interesting and meaningful volunteer activity. While my husband and I had both been United Way contributors during our work lives, the organization dropped off the radar screen when we retired, and I simply followed up on an item in the newspaper about their need for volunteers.
In short order I was introduced to the staff, the mission and their style of doing business and was immediately impressed with the quality of professionalism and commitment of the staff, but of equal importance their ability to live “frugally”. I learned a critical piece of information: their administrative costs are covered by separate donations, so that every dollar contributed during their annual campaign goes directly to agencies and people who need it. This looked like an organization I wanted to give time and money to.
I became part of the team of volunteers whose task is to visit the agencies which have applied for funds, sort through all of the requests and finally recommend how campaign contributions are to be distributed. Now I began to see the hard part – not enough money for all the worthwhile requests. Once again, I was impressed with the leadership of United Way’s staff, committed to helping those in crisis, but ultimately working with the community to find lasting solutions.
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for August, 2008.
About United Way of Treasure Valley
United Way of Treasure Valley advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life -- a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. We invite everyone to be part of the change. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
