Event details:
Monday, March 25, 2013
Hallagan Education Center (Inside Mercy Medical Center)
701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 4:30, Dinner at 5, and Program begins at 5:30.

Space is limited and registration is required.

Speakers:
Dr. Robert Anda, co-investigator of the Adverse Childhood Experience study and medical scientific consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will present his research findings on what ACEs are and how they contribute to poor health in adulthood.

Laura Porter, founder and staff director of the Washington State Family Policy Council, will present on how we can address and help with improvements in our own community. She continues to play a key role in helping the State of Washington develop and implement community-based responses to ACEs.

For more information on the event, continuing education credits and to register please go here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/aces-event/

“Thank you to those donors and 500 companies who support our community through United Way,” said Lois Buntz, United Way President and CEO. “This money will go a long way to help tens of thousands of our neighbors.”

United Way of East Central Iowa partners with around 40 community partners to improve the community in the areas of education, financial stability and health.

Specifically, United Way’s goals for the community by 2016 are:

• Increase the number of low-income children ready for school by 50 percent
• Increase the number of low-income youth with 21st Century skills by 25 percent
• Increase the number of financially stable households by 15 percent
• Increase healthy choices by 10 percent
• Increase by 25 percent the number of older adults who are able to meet their daily living needs

For more please visit UnitedWayofEastCentralIowa.org.

We need your help, however. Please follow this link to nominate somebody: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/volunteering-through-united-way/2013-volunteer-awards-nominations/

Video from last year’s event and of last year’s winners can be found here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/congratulations-to-the-winners/

All together the sites collected 2,063 pounds of food! That is enough for 1,719 meals!

Food Sculptures:

After all of the food was collected United Way, Coe, Mt. Mercy, and Goodwill built “sculptures” out of their donated food items! Check them out on our Facebook page or in the gallery below and tell us which one you like the most!

You can view the photos here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service/

The event will be at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center from 11:30 – 1 p.m. on Jan. 21. Dr. Ruth White, program director of the Kids on Course program, will give the keynote address. Visit UnitedWayofEastCentralIowa.org/mlk/ to register.

The Remembering Martin luncheon has been an important part of the celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday in our community. Commemorating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and recognizing student leaders from throughout the area, the luncheon has become a must-attend event for the observance of the holiday with crowds of more than 500 people. This event unites non-profit agencies, schools, corporations, philanthropists and students for a one-of-a-kind affair.

In addition, Coe College, HACAP, Mt. Mercy University, and United Way of East Central Iowa have come together to provide ways for our community to serve each other on the day.

For the MLK Day of Service, help us keep area food pantries stocked this winter by donating non-perishable food items for our Food Drive. Many families receive food assistance over the holidays, afterwards though, donations tend to drop off. All donations will go to the HACAP food reservoir to support area food pantries. Donations can be dropped off at the MLK Luncheon.

If you can help, please contact Christoph Trappe at ctrappe@uweci.org or 319-804-9853 by February 15th. .

The campaign celebration event will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 76th Avenue and Kirkwood Boulevard SW.

There’s no cost to attend but space is limited. People can register here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/events-and-activities/campaigncelebration/

United Way 2-1-1 will then serve the 996,120 residents in 30 counties in Eastern Iowa, as far north as the Iowa-Wisconsin border and as far south as the Iowa-Missouri border.

2-1-1 was started in 2004 and served 834,000 people in 24 counties through November 2012. In December 2012, six more counties are being added in the Burlington, Marshalltown and north-central Iowa regions, bringing the total of households served to 406,511 (from the previous 348,236). (Those counties were previously served by other 2-1-1 centers.)

The expansion is the result of one 2-1-1 center stopping its partnership with 2-1-1.

It’s long been a goal of the Iowa 2-1-1 system to streamline services and this is one way to do this in a cost effective manner.

You can also search 2-1-1 online at FirstCallforHelpIowa.org.

Giving Tuesday this year falls on Nov. 27, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

It follows Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday and encourages people to donate to help us improve the community.

Cargill was recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in the Large Business category.

Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust was recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in the Small Business category.

Companies like Cargill and CRBT help United Way improve the community and work toward the common good. We appreciate the organizations’ and their employees’ willingness to help the community. Thank you and congratulations on the recognition.

For more: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/united-way-partner-companies-recognized-for-community-involvement/

In the 2012 guide, individuals, families and coworkers will find opportunities that involve adopting a family, driving elderly or preparing food boxes for those in need. Remember, most agencies need assistance prior to the holiday, not the day of.

You can access this year’s version here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/holidayguide/

When: 7:30 – 9 a.m., Oct. 31, 2012
Where: The Hotel at Kirkwood, 76th Avenue and Kirkwood Boulevard SW, Cedar Rapids.

Speakers:
Rick Dickinson, CEO and President, of the Greater Dubuque Development Corp., will talk about how Dubuque positioned itself to draw IBM to the community.

Lily French, Director of Field Education and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa School of Social Work, will talk about what happens if we don’t equip people with the skills needed by local industries.

Kim Johnson, Vice President of Continuing Education and Training Services at Kirkwood Community College, will talk about the types of strategies that are being implemented and developed.

Register here: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e6gibpkp56dfbeb0&oseq=

Details:
Monday, October 22, 2012
Human Services Campus
Rex Eno Conference Center, 2nd Floor
317 7th Ave. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.
Check in begins at 6:15 pm.
Training runs from 6:30-9:00.
There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.

This training program is a way to promote emergency preparedness in our communities. Attendees will gain skills and learn how establishing an Emergency Volunteer Center can help their community in times of disaster.
This session prepares participants to staff an Emergency Volunteer Center which registers and places spontaneous volunteers during and after a disaster. An Emergency Volunteer Center ensures that volunteers are given meaningful and constructive volunteer opportunities, while not overwhelming the affected community during the disaster response and recovery process.
The training includes an interactive volunteer reception center exercise where participants experience the EVC model and practice

Register here: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e6g1a3qzb0796d56&oseq=

Housing/Shelter;
Income Support and Assistance;
Food and Meals; Individual and Family Supoort;
Information Services and
Health Care
During this same time period Information and Referral Specialists documented 2,973 unmet needs in the 24 county service delivery area. Most of the unmet needs were recorded in the following needs:

Housing/shelter, particularly rent assistance because the agencies that provide that assistance were out of funds;
Income support and assistance specifically for tax organizations and services because the service was either not yet available or was over for the season;
Transportation, specifically out of town transportation expense, for which there are no resources available;
Clothing/personal/household goods, most frequently Furniture and Appliances and
Individual/family supports, primarily holiday assistance, again because the service was either not yet available or was over for the season.

You can view the 2-1-1 annual report here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/2-1-1-why-do-people-call-and-why-cant-they-receive-services/

Through the work with our community partners, we have identified 250 volunteer opportunities in areas related to supporting children and youth in east central Iowa through reading, tutoring and mentoring.

Join us on September 20 for a free breakfast and informal meeting that will feature representatives of several groups in need of volunteers. Attendees will hear how they can help children in our area and learn about the opportunities that are available.

Space is limited for this event. Please RSVP by September 18 by clicking here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/education-volunteers-needed-registration/

United Way of East Central Iowa is teaming up with 5 local agencies to offer projects for local volunteers to serve on this National Day of Service.

Area Substance Abuse Council needs 10 volunteers to clean up a wooded area, 6 for a mulching project, and 6 for furniture disposal.
Mission of Hope needs 3 volunteers to build shelves and 2 more to do pantry shelf repairs.
The Arc of East Central Iowa needs 5 volunteers to help clean up two rooms at one of their daycares.
Big Brothers Big Sisters needs 4 volunteers to organize office filing cabinets.
Marion Cares needs volunteers to help organize apartments for after school programs.

Sign up here: http://volunteer.truist.com/united-way-of-east-central-iowa/user/events/one.tcl?event_id=10537326018

Check out the menu here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/zins-restaurant-to-donate-portion-of-proceeds-to-united-way/

Thanks to Zins for the support.

“These kind of numbers show us that there was a need for this resource,” said Chris Juett, United Way 2-1-1 program manager. “In comparison, the 2-1-1 call center receives between 40,000 and 50,000 calls a year. We are glad that the community makes use of this new tool.”

Visit FirstCallforHelpIowa.org to search the 2-1-1 database.

Ro Foege
Dave Coates
Becky Tranter
Kay Fisk
Tim Glenn
Ron Dearborn
Brook Smock
Carole Dzingle
Michelle Sillman

The group will help United Way staff from late August to late November.

Loaned executives are sponsored by Rockwell Collins, Quaker Oats, General Mills, St. Luke’s Hospital and Transamerica.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” said Jennifer Schulte, United Way’s campaign manager. “We appreciate their time and commitment as well as the companies that sponsor them.”

Source: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/united-way-welcomes-2012-loaned-executives/

In all, 700 community members filled 900 shifts and volunteered 2,000 hours! The independent sector values those hours at $43,580!

Wow. Thank you!

Volunteers helped with everything from sign removal, staffing information booths to giving riders direction.

“This event was another indicator of how great this community is,” said Sue Driscoll, United Way’s volunteer manager. “We hope everyone stays involved and continues to volunteer. You can find volunteer opportunities at UnitedWayofEastCentralIowa.org/VolunteerNow.”

Source: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/community-members-volunteered-2000-hours-for-ragbrai/

This year we teamed with six partners in five counties. Those partners included: Linn County AARP; Linn County VITA; ISU Extension in Iowa County; Black Hawk County VITA; Washington County VITA and Jones County RSVP.

Those partners completed 4,180 returns. Clients who had their tax returns completed by one of the partners received $7,012,447 in federal returns. About 32% of those tax payers were eligible for Earned Income Tax Credits which totaled $1,765,544.

You can see the first performance, find a link to the script and can sign up for consideration here: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/united-way-is-looking-for-actors-for-impact-play/

Nichols Award

The Nichols Award recognizes a staff member from a United Way partner agency for his or her outstanding professional leadership, service and collaboration.

This year’s recipient is the late Dr. Rhys B. Jones.

Dr. Jones from St. Luke’s Dental Health Center improved the dental health of thousands of young children and developmentally disabled children and adults living in East Central Iowa. Dr. Jones died unexpectedly on April 22, 2012.

Northcott Award

The Northcott award recognizes an individual that has given outstanding volunteer service to United Way. The individual portrays strong leadership and contributes positively toward the betterment of our entire community.

This year’s recipient of the Northcott Award …. Cindy Dietz!

As Board Chair in 2010 she successfully led the organization through a monumental move to the new Human Services Campus. She has been the key link and enthusiastic supporter of the United Way and Rockwell partnership. Over the past nine years Cindy has helped lead the Rockwell campaign which has contributed over 17 million dollars to United Way and the community.

The development of the Corridor Volunteer program and the UW Volunteer Center were prompted by Cindy and Rockwell Collins interest and dedication in volunteerism. Today over 2400 volunteers are served through the United Way Volunteer Center and recently Retired Senior Volunteer Program was incorporated into United Way’s volunteer management.

Community Philanthropist Award

The Community Philanthropist Award (In honor of Scotty McIntyre) recognizes an individual or couple who have a proven record of exceptional generosity and have demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility. They epitomize give, advocate and volunteer.

This year’s recipients are …. Bob and Beth Allsop

Bob and Beth Allsop have been community philanthropists for their entire life. As long standing Tocqueville Society members, Bob and Beth exemplify the spirit of giving. They have been Diamond Donors to United Way and are original members of the Touch Tomorrow Society. Bob and Beth give to many charitable organizations.

As quiet and effective philanthropists, the Allsops have instilled giving into their family legacy and their son Steve is also active in the community. Bob remains active in Cedar Rapids Rotary and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

The Allsops love the Cedar Rapids community and share their passion for this region through their generosity to many nonprofits and their commitment to social change.

Spirit Award

The Spirit Award is presented to a company that demonstrates exceptional philanthropic commitment and community involvement.

This year’s award winner…. Nextera Energy Duane Arnold and their employees.

In 2008, when Palo was flooded, Nextera Energy employees showed an enormous amount of resiliency. While some companies had to cancel or postpone their United Way campaign, the employees of Nextera continued on. While their standard work hours ended, many of them helped a neighbor in need, a family member left with next to nothing, a stranger needing a listening ear.

Over the past several years, the Nextera campaign has had a steady increase in contributions. This past year they moved up our list of Top 50 companies…from No. 19 to No. 13. Their holiday train is a community favorite and is one of the most successful United Way special events on record. This event not only engages employees of Nextera but their retirees as well.

For more: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/united-way-annual-meeting-baseball-themed-video/

Members in this society give more than $10,000 annually to help United Way improve the community. Kevin is currently the chair of the United Way Board of Directors.

“We believe in United Way’s big picture approach,” Kevin says. “Kathy and I hope that our leadership will help grow the society.”

Kevin is the Eastern Iowa Division Leader at Holmes Murphy and Associates. Kathy is a community volunteer.

For more on the society: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/leadership-giving/alexis-de-tocqueville-society/

William and Gayle Whipple are Tocqueville donors, even after their deaths. They have endowed their annual gift. Join them by becoming a Whipple Legacy Circle member.

For more: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/whipple-legacy-circle/

The funding is split into United Way’s three focus areas of health, education and financial stability.
Who is getting how much?

Education programs – $2,084,452
Financially stability programs – $1,730,100
Health programs – $2,472,950
2-1-1/RSVP – $335,000

“We couldn’t do this without the community’s help and generosity,” said Leslie Wright, United Way’s VP of Community Building. “We continuously evaluate how we can maximize dollars and resources to make the biggest impact.”

For more information, click here.

“This is significant and shows that there was a need in the community for this online service,” said Chris Juett, 2-1-1 Program Manager. “We are pleased that we can now offer this service to the community.”

In comparison, the 2-1-1 phone operators receive more than 50,000 calls a year.

To visit the site please go to: FirstCallforHelpIowa.org

We’ve published a leadership directory for years. We’ve put it online before as a PDF. This year you can search it online.

The directory lists givers who agreed to be listed.

We couldn’t achieve our community goals without the help of our 4,691 leadership donors. Collectively they gave $4.5 million of the approximately $10.6 million raised in 2011.

Thank you for your support.

Click here to search it

From 8am-5:30pm, you can bring your food to the drop off site (Human Services Campus at 317 7th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401) and volunteers will unload the donation for you. All you have to do is ‘drive thru’! This is a great opportunity for employees who may not be able to participate by being out of the office for our Day of Caring by donating to this great cause!

MOST NEEDED ITEMS:
Tuna
Macaroni and Cheese
Instant Potatoes
Canned Meat
Pancake Mix
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Canned Fruit
Pasta

All items should be consumer-sized.
Also, please remember we can NOT accept glass or perishable items.

To download a printable PDF, please click here.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Erica Bergfeld at ebergfeld@uweci.org.

Go here for a short video and download link: http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/united-way-releases-new-volunteer-app-for-iphone-ipad-and-ipods/

Many businesses have encouraged their employess to volunteer. Businesses include Alliant Energy, Anamosa High School FFA/Industrial Tech/BD, Bankers Trust, Benchmark, Inc, Breakfast of Champions, Cargill Inc., Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Cedar Rapids Zen Center, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Climate Engineers, Inc., DCMA, Erb’s Technology Solutions, Evergreen Packaging, GE Capital, Genecor, General Mills, Holmes Murphy & Associates, HR Green Inc., Hunter’s Specialties, ImOn Communications, Intermec, J-TEC Associates, Kaplan University, Kirkwood Community College, Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, McBladrey, Mercy Medical Center, Millhiser Smith Agency, Neighborhood Insurance, New York Life Insurance, NextEra Energy Duane Arnold LLC, Nordstrom Direct, Ohnward Bank & Trust, Quaker Foods & Snacks, Raining Rose, Rockwell Collins, Ryan Companies US Inc, SourceMedia Group, Target Stores, Toyota Financial Services, Transamerica, TrueNorth Companies, UAW Local 1024, US Bank, United Fire Group, United Way of East Central Iowa, US Cellular, Van Meter Inc, Veridian Credit Union, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Wells Fargo, Whirlpool Amana and Yellowbook.

Day of Caring participants will be volunteering at various agencies and locations where their assistance is needed.

“It’s great to see some of our outstanding volunteers be recognized,” said Sue Driscoll, United Way of East Central Iowa’s volunteer manager. “Nonprofits could not make it without the help of the thousands of volunteers in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. Congratulations!”

Each of our winners today will receive a $500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. Thanks to Rockwell Collins for making this possible.

The winner of the Youth Category is: Katie Schlegel
Katie works with the Linn-Mar High School Best Buddies Program. She takes time out of her day – during school hours and outside of school – to spend time helping students academically and building friendships and relationships. Each day she works with kids on everything from math and reading to social skills and daily living skills.

The winner of the Adult Category is: Lesa Ackman
Lesa is the facilitator of Young Parents Network’s Newborn mom’s group on Thursday evenings. Lesa teaches curriculum to the parents so they can learn healthy parenting skills. She also educates parents of newborns about the development of their child.

The winner of the Senior Adult Category is: Henry Davison
Henry founded the HD Youth Center in 1997 when he saw a need to offer kids a safe and supervised building. The center also provides free hot breakfast to the homeless and those in need. The center was flooded in 2008 but Henry has continued to volunteer and is helping to finish the new location on Mt. Vernon Road.

The winner of the Group Category is: Metro High School
12 students and 2 teachers deliver up to 40 bags of groceries each week to clients who live in the Metro High School neighborhood. The volunteers provide their own vehicles and gas and delivery all the meals without any staff assistance from Meals on Wheels.

The winner of the Business Category is: Cargill
Cargill works with Horizons Meals on Wheels. Since 2007, Cargill employee volunteers have delivered meals in the neighborhood near the company’s corn mill one day per week. Each employee volunteer provides a nutritious meal, a safety and security check, and a few minutes of socialization for older, homebound adults.

The public vote will decide the winner.

Click here to vote.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois have developed a new way to bring interest to these useful skills that will help young women later on in life. Watch the video to learn what two local Girl Scouts are doing to develop these new skills.

Watch the video here: