United Way of Greater KingsportLive United - United Way
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
July 2012 ENEWS
 July 2012 News
Be Inspired!  -- A Message from the UWGK Director

 

Dear Friends,

I wanted to say a big "Thank You" to all the volunteers who participated this past month in the United Way of Greater Kingsport's Week of Caring!  As we worked together  to create a better life for all in our community, it was exciting to see such immediate physical changes in so many of our agencies across our community.  I personally witnessed much "sweat equity" being poured into our community by so many willing and cheerful volunteers.  I especially observed a generous and positive attitude expressed by all participating.

It is hard to put in to words the impact made by the 925 volunteers who took on 75 projects across our community.  From mulching, painting, digging, planting, cleaning, and even reading, our community is a better place because of you--our volunteers!  I am very thankful to be a part of this volunteer-minded community that is so committed to improving lives.

Be inspired as you read this issue and find quotes and photos from agencies that demonstrate the impact made.  We have included information and photos from a sampling of the projects.  While we cannot profile all our volunteers, we want you to know how much we appreciate your time and efforts.  Check out the link below to see WCYB's coverage of the Regional Day of Caring sponsored by Regions Bank.  Click here to view WCYB Week of Caring video

Thanks again to all of you who make a difference by choosing to Give, Advocate, and Volunteer to make our community a better place.

 
Living United, 
Danelle Glasscock
Executive Director
United Way of Greater Kingsport    
Eastman Credit Union Volunteers Beautify V.O. Dobbins Community Center 
Thank You for Making 2012 Week of Caring a Tremendous Success 

 

Over 1,000 community volunteers completed 75 service projects during the United Way of Greater Kingsport's 2012 Week of Caring held June 18-22.  These projects benefited UWGK's supported agencies and programs in Kingsport and surrounding areas.  Agencies benefiting from the "sweat equity" provided by community volunteers expressed their appreciation:

  

 "Thanks to our volunteers for sprucing up our buildings and helping improve our three facilities.   

Eastman Volunteers Update the Boys and Girls Club

They painted walls, power washed the outside, replaced all our our lights, shampooed carpets, scraped and painted the playground fence, and even added a ton of mulch around the playground equipment.  They helped at our main facility and at Riverview and Cloud.  Thank You!"  -- Lisa Beilharz-Tyler, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club

 

      

Small Miracles
Small Miracles' Round Pen Gets Renovated by Eastman, Jacobs, and Tennessee Electric 

"110 volunteers each donated 8 hours to Small Miracles.  That equals 880 hours, which translates into 22 weeks of work by a full-time employee.  That is incredible for a small, non-profit with two, full-time and four part-time staff serving 100 students per week on 11 acres.  A major project completed was the renovation of our round pen.  This pen enables us to create a unique learning environment for our students.  We are deeply grateful and touched by your hard work and compassion." -- Gwen Keeling, Executive Director, Small Miracles     

 

 

girls Inc.
Eastman and Brock Spruced Up Girls Inc. 
 

"Volunteers mulched, landscaped, repaired our gym floor, and installed a French drain.  The drain helped ensure water would properly drain from the playground area, which gave our girls access to their favorite swing.  Thanks to these great volunteers!"  -- Julie Short, Executive Director, Girls Inc.     

    

 

Frontier Industries Received Improvements to Facility by  Eastman  
 

"Thank you for all the work you completed at both our sites.  Over 50 volunteers contributed almost 300 work hours.  You did an outstanding job with the buildings, landscape, and vehicles.  We have had so many compliments on how nice everything looks.  On behalf of our service recipients and staff, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude."  -- Mary Fultineer, Division Director, Frontier Industries 

 

    

Holston C&Y
Holston Children and Youth Gets Facelift by Eastman Volunteers 

 "Our volunteers did a great job landscaping.  They added new mulch, painted outside structures, and worked inside to scrape a film covering off our front windows.  I have heard many positive comments from staff and clients about how nice the building looks.  They are already working on plans for next year!"  -- Melissa Birdwell, Site Director, Holston Children and Youth Services 

 

 

  "Bank of Tennessee volunteers helped the Girl Scouts by staining the benches and stage in the Green Ampitheater at Camp Wildwood.  United Way volunteers protected these features from the elements and lengthened their lifespan.  Camp Wildwood is used by many area Girl Scout troops and the Green Ampitheater is well loved.  It looks much better with a coat (or two) of fresh stain, and we're very appreciative of all the hard work performed by Bank of Tennessee."  -- Beth Coleman, United Way and Grants Coordinator, Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians, Inc. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • You received a newsletter last week that went out in error.  Please disregard that edition and enjoy reading this one instead.  Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
  • Regional Pacesetter Kick-Off scheduled for August 9 from 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the SWVA Higher Ed Center. 

 

AEP
AEP Beautifies CASA's New Home 

 

CASA -- A Champion for Abused and Neglected Children 

  

In America, over 1 million children are abused and neglected each year and half of these children land in foster care.  In Tennessee alone, 7,000 children are in the foster care system.   

 

CASA (an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate) is part of a nationwide network of approximately 1,000 state and local organizations that has been championing the best interests of abused and neglected children since its founding in 1977.  

 

This organization works with the juvenile court system to advocate on behalf of these vulnerable children.  CASA recruits, trains, and supervises dedicated community volunteers to research cases of child abuse and neglect and report their findings back to the juvenile court system.  this group's work helps the court facilitate placement of these children into safe, healthy, permanent homes in an expedient manner.

 

Our local CASA agency, CASA for Kids, Inc. headed by executive director Connie Steere, began serving the Greater Kingsport area in 1991 and has stepped up to the overwhelming challenges.  CASA managed 604 cases related to alleged abused/neglected children in Sullivan and Hawkins Counties last year alone.  While this is a tremendous amount of cases served, CASA has almost twice as many children waiting to be served.  

 

In order to meet the growing needs of these children, CASA needs your continued support.  By giving, advocating, and volunteering with the UWGK, you are helping ensure CASA's immediate and future success.  Volunteering your time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a direct way to make a lasting impact in these children's lives.  The next training class to become a CASA volunteer is scheduled for September.   

 

Recently, volunteers from AEP gave their time and talents to CASA during UWGK's 2012 Week of Caring by performing structural component work.  This type of support is invaluable to the work CASA performs.  According to Connie, "The Appalachian Electric Power volunteers beautified the outside of CASA's new home at 310 Shelby Street.  They spruced up our backyard, weeded and seeded, planted two trees, put down brick chips, and washed windows."  Signature Properties also assisted CASA in their construction of a new conference room. 

 

Questions or inquiries about CASA for Kids, Inc. may be directed to Connie Steere, Executive Director, at (423) 247-1161, ext. 14, or connie@casa4kidsinc.org.  

 

 


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We Want Your Opinion!


The United Way of Tennessee (UWT) is asking parents and caregivers across Tennessee to speak out about education.  Specifically, the UWT wants your opinions about your children's pre-K through 12th grade experiences in public school for the 2011-2012 school year.  Please take a moment to complete a short survey (see link below).  Your opinions will help inform our community-based work and will be shared with state and local decision makers.  Share this survey with your relatives and friends.

Parents/Caregivers Speak Out About Education -- Complete This Survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6S8VF9F

Small Miracles Chosen as 2012 Recipient of East Tennessee Walking Horse Fundraising Event

The East Tennessee Walking Horse Classic Charity horse show was held June 15-16 at the Smoky Mountain Expo Center in White Pine, TN.  As one of the oldest shows on the East Tennessee walking horse show circuit, this organization has given thousands of dollars to worthy organizations over the past 50 years. 

This year's recipient was Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center, which received $2,000 from the East Tennessee Classic Walking Horse Show.  UWGK Board Member, Gary Sproles and his wife, Shea, are active members of this group and have a special passion for Small Miracles.

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