The United Way office will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 as our staff celebrates the Thanksgiving Holiday.
11/28 - Giving Tuesday
You've heard about Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday, but have you heard of #GivingTuesday?
Click here to learn how you can give back and help #SaveOurStudents!
Volunteer Corner
Help Young Readers
Students in Kindergarten through grade six need volunteers to help them develop critical reading skills. As little as 30 minutes can propel a child from struggling to succeeding. Contact Robin Koetting, 573-334-9634.
United Way of Southeast Missouri
United Way has four unique opportunities for you to get involved! We currently have openings on our Finance, Community Investment, Resource Development and Marketing Committees. If you're interested in learning more please contact
Kristin Funderburk.
Habitat ReStore
Volunteers are needed to help provide customer service and/or sort merchandise at the Cape Retail store. Contact Al Stoverink.
Voices for Children/CASA
Voices for Children/CASA of Southeast Missouri provides juvenile justice advocacy for child victims of abuse and neglect in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties. Voices for Children (formerly CASA) is able to advocate for fewer than half of the children in foster care due to a shortage of volunteers. A new class will begin on October 21 to train advocates. This five week class will meet on Saturday mornings from 9-19 and will end on November 18. For more information contact their office at 573-335-1726.
'Tis the Season of Giving!
We are challenging community members to donate a percentage of what you will spend on holiday food and gifts to those students who, through no fault of their own, need your help. Our community is your community, and your community needs
you.
Black Friday is followed by Small Business Saturday, which precedes Cyber Monday, and many businesses remain open on Thanksgiving! As the newspaper becomes burgeoned with flyers and the airwaves promote holiday sales, it is easy to get caught up in the season of spending, rather than the original spirit of giving thanks and giving back.
I'd like to remind you of two very easy ways to do both: Amazon Smile and #GivingTuesday.
'Tis better to give than to receive, but when you make a year-end donation to United Way, you can give and receive at the same time!
Through our workplace campaigns, we are fortunate to receive year-round donations we invest into 24 agencies in Southeast Missouri. But nearly 33% of annual giving occurs in December with 28% taking place in the last three days of the year. For some donors, the tax benefits hold the greatest appeal, while others simply get into the spirit of giving. If you are considering a year-end gift, here are some benefits to keep in mind:
You can donate most publicly traded securities without having to sell them first, eliminating the capital gains tax. We have some very generous donors who gift valuable stock annually that gives them a tax reduction and puts thousands of dollars back into our community.
When you contribute to a public charity like United Way, you can give up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.
You must make itemized deductions to receive the tax benefit, which must be more than the standard deduction.
99% of your gift will stay in our region, benefiting children, families, and seniors in 34 programs we fund.
