UNITED IN HELPING CHILDREN & FAMILIES THRIVE
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A Special Thanks to Everyone Who Made a Difference
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It goes without saying that 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in recent history. As it comes to an end, the Board of Directors and staff at United Way of Trumbull County would like to say thank you to everyone in our community who went over and above to help us all through this trying time. Thanks to the local businesses and government agencies that rose to the challenge as we all scrambled to adjust to a new normal. And we can't say thank you enough to the essential and frontline workers such as grocery store clerks, janitors, nursing home personnel, police officers, and firefighters who put themselves at risk every day. What would any of us have done without them? We are also thankful for the dedication of teachers and school administrators who found innovative ways to keep students engaged and healthy as we struggled to make sure our kids were kept safe without sacrificing their education. We are grateful for our partner agencies and other non-profits who throughout the year worked tirelessly to provide food and assistance. And of course we owe a debt of gratitude to the paramedics, nurses, doctors, health care professionals, and hospital employees who were the true heroes of 2020. Lastly, we want to say thanks to all of you, our supporters, advocators, and volunteers who made our work possible in a year when it wasn't needed more than ever. We couldn't have done it without you.
LEARN WELL, EARN WELL, and STAY WELL in 2021.
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"Thankful Acts of Kindness"
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UNITED WAY and our community thanks Karrie Diegan, Timothy Grantz & Kathee Lee for their hard work and dedication to our community!
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On Thanksgiving Eve, we gave a special thanks to Karrie Diegan of Howland.
Michelle Morocco, Karrie's sister-in-law, nominated her for TAOK because of her selflessness to help everyone.
"Karrie is a respiratory therapist working at our local hospitals. During the pandemic, she has worked 60 hours a week with little time for herself," wrote Michelle.
Michelle also mentioned in her nomination that Karrie has little time to cook, so United Way of Trumbull County provided a Thanksgiving dinner for Michelle and her family to enjoy!
Photo: (L to R) Michelle Morocco and Karrie Diegan.
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"My husband is a firefighter/medic at work, but in the eyes of those who love him, he is more than that. He would help anyone who needed it even when he's not doing it on the job. I have seen him deliver food to hungry people even when he barely knows them... Not only is he called a hero to the community, but he's our hero at home. We are so proud of the man and father he is,” wrote Tim's wife, Alicia Grantz.
As a TAOK honoree, Mr. Grantz received a $50 gift card to a local store of his choice.
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Kathee Lee is a veteran of Desert Storm. She has been committed to her country and community for her entire adult life. She spent 13 years in active duty in the United States Air Force from 1980 to 1993, and today serves by volunteering and helping out others. Her fondest memories of her service to our country were the opportunities to meet new people and learn about different cultures.
Kathee is seen here holding a desert rose, a souvenir and reminder of her time spent in the Gulf War. Below are images during her time spent in Saudi Arabia where she helped organize and distribute supplies as a material facilities specialist.
Kathee Lee, Scope Senior Services volunteer was nominated by Director, Mike Wilson, and provided with a gift card as a small token of our appreciation.
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To express our gratitude to those making a difference in our communities this holiday season, United Way of Trumbull County will continue to recognize our front-line essential workers, businesses, and individuals with "Thankful Acts of Kindness” throughout the months of December 2020 and January 2021.
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St. Joseph Warren Hospital, Clear Skies Ahead Direct Support Professionals, Save-a-Lot in Champion and Warren, SCOPE Senior Services, Trumbull Mental Health and Recovery Board, student Dylan Ellsworth of Champion and Veterans were also honored with TAOK during the Spring and Fall of 2020.
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Learn About TEMA Roofing Services
A Small Business United Partner
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This latest VIDEO in the Let's Talk Trumbull Series highlights Justin Froelich of TEMA Roofing Services who talks about the family business and what it means to give back to the community. TEMA Roofing is a partner of United Way of Trumbull County through our Small Business United program.
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Niles Senior Gets Help with Her Yard Thanks to United Way @ Work Volunteers
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Photo (L to R): Dave Pugh; Justin Froelich; Christian Penny, Grandson; Carol Walker, Homeowner; Mike Quinlan, and Brian Matyas
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In late August, United Way kicked off its 2020-21 campaign. Traditionally, the day includes a United Way @ Work event that brings hundreds of volunteers together to help local non-profits, people, and communities with various hands-on projects.
“Assisting our local seniors with outdoor projects has always been a part of our United Way @ Work event, and sadly, because of the pandemic and concerns for our volunteers’ and seniors’ health and safety, providing yard work and maintenance wasn’t an option this year," said Ginny Pasha, President of United Way of Trumbull County.
“We actually crossed this project off our list due to needing several large teams and concerns about COVID,” she added.
But thanks to TEMA Roofing Services, a local business owned by the Froelich Family, at least one local senior received much needed help. Carol Walker, age 75, resides in Niles with her middle-school aged grandson who she is raising. Ms. Walker became a recipient for United Way @ Work a few years back when her yard became more than she could handle. Not knowing what to expect this year, she continued to call the United Way office asking for help with her yard.
“Mrs. Carol Walker has devoted her entire life to her family. To help her is an HONOR. If we don’t help out our own community members in need…who will,” said Justin Froelich.
“It’s nice to be able to come out and find an avenue to help people. And I’m sure other people would help, they just don’t know how to find a way," said Dave Pugh, a member of the TEMA team. "When Justin brought this opportunity to our attention, we were like, yah, you bring this, you bring that, let’s go,” he added.
United Way of Trumbull County is grateful to Mr. Froelich and his team at TEAM Roofing Services. The Froelich’s support the mission of United Way and are strong believers in giving back to the community. Justin Froelich and his team spent the afternoon trimming low hanging branches, removing leaves covering her rooftop and ground, and cleaning up other debris on the property.
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UWTC Spokes Kid Learns About Senior Needs First Hand at Trumbull Mobile Meals
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UWTC Spokes Kid, Cadence Treich, arrived at partner agency Trumbull Mobile Meals the day before Thanksgiving to get a better understanding of what our partner agency does and how they are continuing to do so throughout the pandemic.
Upon her arrival, she met with Rebecca Edwards, CEO of Trumbull Mobile Meals, who explained the agency’s mission: Ensuring that "no person goes hungry" in our community. A mission that has become even more needed and much more difficult during the year 2020.
As the TMM vans and volunteer drivers lined up their cars around the building, Cadence assisted inside volunteers and United Way staff members by loading client’s meals into the delivery vehicles that had been individually packaged and divided up by city and township.
After all the meals were loaded, Cadence had the pleasure of meeting TMM treasurer and long-time volunteer Dick Lytle who has been volunteering at TMM since they were operating out of the former YMCA 34 years ago. Mr. Lytle explained that TMM delivers meals to clients three days a week. Clients are provided a menu to make their personal selections and dietary restrictions are followed according to each client’s specifications. Mr. Lytle contributes the success of TMM to it's Director and their dedicated volunteers who deliver nutritious meals, warm smiles and safety checks to help keep our local seniors safe and living in their own homes.
Cadence says she became a United Way Spokes Kid to encourage people to help out in their community. "Everyone should help out when they can," she added.
Along with spokes kid Bailey Tolios, Cadence will be volunteering and promoting UWTC in upcoming videos, marketing materials and on social media to show case the good work being done for Trumbull County children and families. Another spokes kid will be announced at the start of the new year to work along side Bailey and Cadence for this high-profile project.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, several of the projects have been delayed. However, Trumbull County residents may expect to see a lot from the kids in the upcoming months, both virtually and in-person, when circumstance allow.
The role of the spokes kids will include mentoring opportunities for the kids while giving them an opportunity to set an example for other young people in the community as they showcase their desire, talents, and enthusiasm to make a difference in Trumbull County.
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Imagination Library Continues to Grow
in Trumbull County
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In conjunction with #Giving Tuesday and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, United Way hosted a social media fundraiser on December 1st to help raise money for the Imagination Library in Trumbull County. The Imagination Library provides young children (birth through age 4) access to free books which are mailed to their homes each month, regardless of family income.
The online fundraiser brought in $880. Currently, there are about 2,660 children registered in Trumbull County and approximately 12,283 books have been mailed since the Trumbull County program began during the pandemic that kept kids at home late Spring.
To build literacy skills that are important for kindergarten readiness and to ensure children in our communities LEARN WELL, our fundraising efforts for this program will remain ongoing. For as little as $25, one child will receive a book every month for one year. To learn more about the Imagination Library in Trumbull County or to donate, please visit www.unitedwaytrumbull.org.
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The Imagination Library program was added as an enhancement to United Way of Trumbull County's "Reading Great by 8" early literacy initiative. The program was implemented to ensure children under the age of five enter the classroom ready to succeed and to better prepare the number of students reading at grade level by grade three.
Funding for this program was made possible by the Ohio General Assembly who committed dollar-for-dollar matching funds and to the Cafaro Foundation who made the first contribution to our program in Trumbull County. Additional funds have been provided by private donations earmarked for the Imagination Library in Trumbull County. To learn more, visit https://www.unitedwaytrumbull.org/imaginationlibrary.
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Women United launched an initiative in the fourth quarter of 2019 to help provide prescription assistance to diabetics with low to moderate incomes who are living in Trumbull County. In 2020, the need was greater than anticipated and we expect the need to continue into 2021. We are grateful to the Women's Auxiliary at Trumbull Regional Medical Center for investing in this program to help get it started. If you are interested in learning more or contributing to the program, please call Christine Cope at 330-207-2065 or visit our website.
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United Way of Trumbull County
COVID-19 Survey to the Community
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Food & Housing Expense Remain a Challenge
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In 2020, United Way of Trumbull County conducted three surveys to gain a better understanding of the needs of the community due to the pandemic. In the most recent survey completed in November, food, utilities, and rent assistance remained at the top of the list of needs for people of all ages. It is anticipated that the need for these essentials will continue into 2021.
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One notable difference between the surveys conducted earlier this year and this latest one is the uptick in need for mental health services as anxiety rises and isolation, health concerns, and the strain of financial challenges take their toll. We encourage you to read this recent editorial by Ginny Pasha, President of United Way of Trumbull County, where she talks about how the current pandemic other recent events have created greater need for people in our community.
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United Way Distributes 288 Gallons of
Hand Sanitizer to Help Fight Off Coronavirus
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Tim Schaffner, Executive Director of the Trumbull County Children Services, and the following agencies were provided hand sanitizer from United Way of Trumbull County to help protect clients and personnel from the coronavirus: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Volunteer Council, Greater Warren-Yo Urban League (Christy House), Help Network of Northeast Ohio, Niles Community Services, SCOPE Senior Services, Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, Someplace Safe, Trumbull County Action Program (TCAP), Trumbull Mobile Meals, and the Veterans Haven.
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Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown extends love and compassion to those in need by working with Trumbull County individuals and families through their Warren office located at 185 Laird Avenue, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Currently, the agency is taking applications for those in need of mortgage and rent assistance. Catholic Charities will continue distributing CARES ACT funds until December 30, 2020. For more information, please call 330-393-4254.
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Stanwade Metal Products, Inc. located in Hartford, Ohio was founded in 1947 by Stanley L. Woofter. The company began as a small manufacturing company making children’s furniture, garden trellises, and custom products from steel. However, due to a shortage of home heating oil tanks caused by the post-World War II housing boom in 1951, Stanwade began building the 275-gallon basement tanks to fulfill the local needs.
When Stanley retired in 1995, his son Tim Woofter became President. Since then, Stanwade has continued to grow and has proudly become a leader in petroleum storage as well as supplying a full line of petroleum equipment.
Stanwade Metal Products makes an annual corporate donation and leads an annual workplace campaign that has continued to grow each year. Stanwade Metal Products has been a repeat sponsor of our Nine is Fine Golf Outing, where Tim Woofter and his team (Steve Woofter, Jim Morris, and Larry Waters) proudly show off their golfing skills. In 2017, Robert Nemeth, Executive Vice President of Stanwade accepted a position on the United Way of Trumbull County Board of Directors and remains an active member on the board.
The people at Stanwade believe in helping make the earth a better place to live and work. They understand that manufacturing and business have an impact on the planet, and it has become their goal to minimize that impact. Not only do they believe that any responsible company must be concerned about the preservation of our natural resources, but must also focus on creating community-led, lasting solutions where everyone has the opportunity for a good quality of life.
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Don't Miss Your Chance to WIN!
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Thanks to the generosity of Greenwood Chevrolet, if you donate $5 per week or $260 a year, you will be eligible to WIN this 2020 Chevy Trax or $15,000 in cash through the
Greenwood Chevrolet Extra Mile Giveaway!
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Help make our community an even better place to live while giving yourself a chance to WIN this beautiful car! If you do not have the opportunity to donate through a workplace campaign, you may donate online, send a check to our office, or call us at 330-369-1000.
Ten finalists will be drawn, ONE winner will be awarded! To learn more,
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A special thank you to Greenwood Chevrolet, The Greenwood Family,
and the Chevy All Stars for providing this campaign incentive for over a decade.
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EXTRA MILE GIVEAWAY (Virtual Event)
February 18, 2021
Greenwood Chevrolet, Austintown.
UWTC's five finalists will be announced during the month of January 2021. More details coming soon!
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ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS LUNCHEON May 20, 2021
Lunch at 11:45 am
Program at 12:15 pm
Eastwood Event Centre, Niles
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OUR MISSION
United in helping children and families
thrive in Trumbull County.
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OUR VISION
To inspire and build a community where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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