Hello 2021! We are welcoming the new year with open arms and plenty of distance. January brings feelings of newness and reflection, encouraging us to look at our accomplishments of 2020 and face the new opportunities in 2021. Though this past year had us facing unexpected - and yes, unprecedented - challenges, we made it through stronger, together. But as we usher in the new year, plenty of the old challenges are lingering, and the needs in our region continue to grow.

We hope that as we start up 2021 you will commit to working with us to invest in impact throughout our region.

We are proud to work alongside the Athens Area Community Foundation on the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, which has raised more than $416,000 to date. On Dec. 8, we deployed our fifth round of funds from this response fund, made possible because of the generosity of local philanthropists. This most recent round totaled $50,000, distributed evenly to Athens Technical College and Lanier Technical College. These funds will provide direct financial assistance to their current students who are facing hardship.

We will continue partnering with the Athens Area Community Foundation on this response fund as we move into 2021 while recovery aid is still needed in our community. If you are interested in learning more about this fund or donating, please read more here or reach out to either organization directly.

A fierce advocate for the people in the Northeast Georgia region, Todd Henry has devoted much of his professional life to serving the community through our local United Way. For the past two years, Todd has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors, helping the organization as we worked on a new strategic plan, brought on team members including a new Executive Director, made the final push to a Community Impact model, and much more.

Todd is the Lean Deployment Strategy Manager with Caterpillar, Inc. In his role, he works with plants and staff across the world, but is based in the Northeast Georgia region. With his travels and work, he is even more equipped to share his ever-expanding business knowledge with our local communities to help them grow.

Because of Todd's service and support, United Way of Northeast Georgia has established a strong giving model that is data-driven and volunteer-led, serving the highest priority needs in our region while continuing to engage businesses, governments and other organizations in partnership.

We are grateful for Todd's time as Board Chair and his new role as Past Chair with our Board of Directors.

Thanks to our incredible volunteers from Caterpillar, St. Mary's Hospital, and Eaton Corporation who participated in our Days of Caring, United Way of Northeast Georgia was awarded the Friends of Advantage's 'Volunteer Partner of the Year Award' for 2020! We were blown away by the work of our volunteers, and Tammy Dalton, Executive Director of Friends of Advantage, puts it so well:

"It’s AMAZING that through the Day of Caring partnership...with Caterpillar, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Eaton Corporation our grounds at 240 Mitchell Bridge Road have been beautifully transformed from red clay to a tranquil place for our clients and staff to experience for many years to come. Beyond expectations, these entities came together and superseded our goals! What a meaningful, valuable experience."

Thank you, Friends of Advantage, for this recognition of these volunteers, and thank you Caterpillar, St. Mary's, and Eaton for showing us all how to Live United!

January 18: MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens-Clarke and Jackson County are both still accepting volunteers. Register for ACC's service day here or Jackson County's here.

January 29: Nonprofit Training Series* featuring Lori Shapiro of Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta to discuss HR at Nonprofits. Registration will open this week and the event will be from 8:30-10 a.m. via Zoom.

If you are a local nonprofit and have upcoming events or volunteer opportunities, we would be happy to feature you in our newsletter. Please reach out to Alison Geist.

Just a friendly reminder to submit your 2020-2021 Workplace Campaign results form to Elizabeth Earl via email. Thank you for your contributions to United Way of Northeast Georgia.