Monthly News from United Way of Northeast Louisiana
October 2021 Edition
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2021 Book of Leaders
At the heart of United Way of Northeast Louisiana is a dedicated group of people with strength, character, and sense of purpose who inspire others to help meet the needs of the community.
This eclectic group of leaders represents many different industries in our community. We are humbled by their commitment to the work that United Way does in this community, and we are grateful that they choose to LIVE UNITED. Click the photo to view the entire book!
For more information about United Way's Leadership Giving Societies, contact Janet Durden at jdurden@unitedwaynela.org or 318.998.9204.
To donate, text UWLEADER to 91999 (Direct Bill) or UWLEADERCC to 91999 (credit card).
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Campaign 2021: City of Monroe
It's time to give a shout-out to our friends at the City of Monroe!
This year's City of Monroe United Way Campaign Coordinator, Kimberly Essex, recruited 9 department representatives to be the 2021 Campaign Team Leaders.
Team Leaders are working hard to promote the United Way campaign over the next few weeks.
Becky Bailey is the Team Leader for the Monroe Fire Department and she organized 9 meetings over 3 days to present the United Way message and giving opportunity to each shift of employees. MFD employees enjoyed homemade treats and candy, watched the 2021 Campaign Video, and had personalized pledge forms ready for each donor.
The City of Monroe campaign will continue to run through mid-November and we anticipate great results!
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Campaign 2021: Progressive Bank
Our friends at Progressive Bank always encourage their employees to hear about United Way, watch the campaign video, and learn how to volunteer or donate to support our local communities.
This year, employees who attended the campaign meeting received a sweet treat and their name entered into a fun drawing for some great prizes!
Donors who give one hour's pay per month or more receive extra paid time off for supporting United Way.
We can always count on Progressive Bank to create a culture of giving and volunteerism. Thank you, Progressive Bank leadership and employees!
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Campaign 2021: Hunt Guillot & Associates
The annual Hunt Guillot & Associates (HGA) United Way campaign kicked off on Monday, October 18th.
This energetic group hosted a luncheon in the HGA parking lot on Tuesday, October 19th. They enjoyed fajitas with all the trimmings, catered by Log Cabin.
There was a United Way presentation and comments by senior management during this engaging luncheon. Many of HGA's committee members served as team leaders along with Chris Wyatt, Stoney Goodman, Wynn Rogers, and Laurie Jones. As part of this campaign, drawings will be held for five prizes.
Committee Members: Susan Bagwell, Brian Drake, Lauren Ellis, Trotter Hunt, Liz Kavanaugh, Jeri Sue Mitcham, Donna Ott, Kristy Scharf, John Robert Smith, Tony Stark, Don Venzant, and Matt Woodard.
We expect even better things to come from this creative and innovative group!
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Campaign 2021: LaSalle Management Company
LaSalle Management's United Way campaign, “The Greatest Campaign on Earth,” kicked off on Thursday, October 14th.
Boxed lunches were provided for all who attended the fun event.
Many other special events throughout the month including a Frito Pie Day, Biscuits for a Buck, Video Scavenger Hunts, Costume/Door Decorating Contests, Field Day, G3 Tricycle Race, and a Silent Auction.
Employees making a one-time donation of $25 or more are put into a drawing for a half-day off. Additionally, employees pledging $20 or more a month are put into a drawing for a vacation of their choice.
LaSalle Management's Campaign Coordinators are Lexie Scriber and Jody Tillman. Committee members are Jessica Borne, Lindsay Cavin, Heather Grigsby, Tacarra Hart, Nicole Holder, and Leeann Sims.
We're looking forward to this awesome Campaign Finale on November 10th!
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Out for Blood: A Young Leaders UNITED Project
This month, United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s Young Leaders UNITED collaborative hosted “Out for Blood,” two community blood drives. The Ruston blood drive was held on Thursday, October 14th and the Monroe blood drive on Thursday, October 21st.
The blood drives were organized by Young Leaders UNITED and LifeShare Blood Center.
Young Leaders UNITED, a collaborative of United Way of Northeast Louisiana, launched in the summer of 2021. Through volunteer, social, and career development opportunities, members of Young Leaders UNITED develop skills, knowledge, and a relationship with United Way NELA to create lasting change for generations to come through their engagement with Young Leaders UNITED and United Way NELA. They also have the opportunity to cultivate philanthropic giving alongside impact work.
The goal of Young Leaders UNITED is to enable members to build long-term, meaningful engagement with United Way, and to cultivate the future volunteer leaders of United Way and its community partners. Members of Young Leaders UNITED must be 40 years old or younger, but many of their community projects and service opportunities will be open to the entire community.
For more information about United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s Young Leaders UNITED, contact Allyson Sager at asager@unitedwaynela.org or text YLU to 91999.
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Calling all READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. volunteers!
Tuesday, October 26th began a new year of READ.LEARN.SUCCEED.! For the first time since 2019, some of our volunteers were able to read to their students in person. Pictured here are volunteer readers and students at Berg Jones Elementary School.
The goal of our READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. initiative is to practice and sharpen reading and writing skills and build positive connections with our 2nd graders.
So far, we have recruited 231 community volunteers to become READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. readers and pen friends! There are still 21 students in Monroe City & Ouachita Parish and 9 students in Union Parish who do not have volunteer readers. These students need you!
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Faces of 211: Miranda Roberson, 211 Contact Center Director
This month's Face of 211 is Miranda Roberson, United Way 211 Contact Center Director.
"I started working with 211 on May 15, 2017. I love the work that I do because I love guiding our 211 specialists and team leaders as we work together to make a positive impact in our community.
The most rewarding thing that has happened to me in my job is meeting people from all walks of life and serving the community. It’s also incredibly rewarding building and guiding a team of community leaders.
To me, serving my community means serving others. I’m God’s servant and he’s placed me in position to help our community receive the resources needed. That’s truly what servanthood is all about!"
Miranda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Louisiana Monroe.
In her spare time, Miranda loves spending time with her beautiful family, serving in ministry, and traveling.
Thank you, Miranda, for all you do for our community!
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State Farm's 211 Recognition Video: 211 Frontline Heroes
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VolunteerUNITED Spotlight:
Bancroft Bag
Our friends from Bancroft Bag went above and beyond the call of volunteerism this month.
After our Embrace Louisiana Project began on August 29th, the day of Hurricane Ida's impact, Bancroft reached out offering to drive a truck full of Embrace Louisiana goods to United Way of South Louisiana and St. John United Way.
After multiple trips and deliveries of goods, our Embrace Louisiana items reached their final destinations and are being distributed to our south Louisiana neighbors in need.
Bancroft Bag employees, there are not enough ways to say thank you for your overwhelming generosity, patience, and perseverance. Thank you for showing our community what it means to #LIVEUNITED!
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Is your workplace or group interested in volunteer opportunities?
We can help!
Whether it’s a one-day activity or long-term team-building project, VolunteerUNITED is available to assist you through the entire process.
Our customized options are organized to support United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s community impact work in education, financial stability, and health, all while meeting your organization’s community engagement goals.
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