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November 2023 | Issue: 31 | |
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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Seminar
Monday, November 27th @ 9:30 a.m.
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Giving Tree Toiletry Drive
November 27th till December 15th
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Coloring Contest DEADLINE
Thursday, November 30th @ 5:00 p.m.
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Dementia Care Support Group
Monday, December 4th @ 1:00 p.m.
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NAMI's Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 16th @ 8:00 a.m.
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At United Way, we fight for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in our community.
Did you know? On a typical night, 549,000 Americans are homeless.
Within Hernando County alone, as of the end of September 2023, there were 268 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, a Resolution was presented on November 7th at the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners Meeting, officially proclaiming November 11th - 18th as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a nationwide initiative, bringing people together to shed light on the critical challenges of hunger and homelessness. It's an opportunity for communities to unite and address these issues collectively.
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Getting to Know Our Board: | |
BOARD Member Highlight
United Way of Hernando County's Board of Directors is full of dedicated community members and leaders. For this #UNITED News release, we are highlighting United Way Board Member David Gonzalez from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative. David was already a long-time supporter of United Way when he began his journey on the Board back in 2013. Believe it or not, David finished his 6 year term-limit and quickly rejoined back in 2019 the second he could. His passion for educating others on the power of this UW partnership has been the driving force of so much more than just a successful Workplace Giving Campaign through WREC. Thanks to the caring culture he has created with his local team, their storm response efforts for the county, and their endless effort to directly help wherever needed – they have truly made such a difference in the lives of thousands
- Why is LIVING UNITED through United Way important to you?
"LIVING UNITED is important to me because I have the opportunity to see all of the programs and resources that benefit from our support in Hernando County. Knowing that my voice and my dollars help make a direct impact on the underserved parts of the community, makes it all worthwhile."
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In your field, explain why you Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative and United Way work so well together as community partners.
"This is a great question! I think we are able to work together so well because we both believe in United Way’s mission. Because of this, WREC has been an advocate and a top donor for many years. Our donated employee dollars, PLUS a 100% company match, go directly back into the community in which we live and work. There aren’t a lot of companies that still give a 100% employee donation match which is why it's important for me to share with our team that if you pledge a dollar, your company is also pledging a dollar towards your community."
- What focus areas are you most passionate about improving in Hernando?
"Mental illness, for sure. As we all know, mental illness is at the forefront of so many stemming issues and somehow impacts everybody across this country. As well as food insecurity. Our food pantries are so important to me because I know we have so many people that are struggling. Hard-working families that really struggle, and even our seniors. Supporting these different areas across our county is critical. Sometimes focusing on the most basic of needs (food & shelter) are the most meaningful."
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Keeping up with United Way | |
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United Way of Hernando County hosts their "5 DAYS OF CARING" each week throughout November.
This month-long initiative promotes local VOLUNTEERISM & GIVING opportunities, bringing people together who have a passion for helping others.
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Week 1: Central's Greenhouse Beautification
United Way kicked off Week #1 of their 5 DAYS OF CARING initiative at Central High School on Friday, November 3rd! Our incredible partners at HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital joined hands with us as we embarked on a transformative journey to breathe new life into the greenhouse at CHS.
After a decade of dormancy, the dedicated ESE team is now on a mission to engage their students in cultivating, nurturing, and taking on responsibilities for everything within the greenhouse.
We are thrilled to announce that Phase 2 of this exciting project is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 14th! For more information email Justine at Impact@UnitedWayHernando.org
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Week 2: "GIVE THANKS, GIVE FOOD" Drive Distribution
Ever wonder what happened to that can of green beans or Mac n Cheese you donated last month?
In October, our community rallied with over 20 collection sites across Hernando for United Way's "GIVE THANKS, GIVE FOOD" Drive! Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the incredible support from our trusted UW volunteers, staff, and partners at Regions Bank, Bravera Health, & Truist, we were able to go beyond just collecting- we sorted, counted, and distributed over 3,800lbs of food to local shelters, pantries, and homeless outreach efforts.
A special thank you to our collection sites! When choosing a business, opt for those that give back meaningfully to the community. your support makes a difference, and we couldn't be more thankful!
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Week 3: QPR Suicide Prevention Training
On Monday, November 13th, our community came together at the Hernando County Emergency Management Center for a FREE QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training, facilitated by our partners at BayCare Behavioral Health.
We're excited to share that the 21 attendees, now certified "gatekeepers," dedicated their time to acquiring valuable skills. They learned to recognize warning signs of suicide, honed practical conversation initiation about mental health, understood the significance of guiding individuals toward professional help, and received essential guidelines on best QPR practices.
A heartfelt thank you to all participants, as your involvement made this training a crucial step in fostering a caring community. Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities to further contribute to the important conversation around mental health!
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Week 4: Born Learning Trail Installation
As Thanksgiving approaches, United Way expresses profound gratitude for the unwavering support of our dedicated volunteers and outstanding community partners!
The commitment to fostering family engagement demonstrated on November 20th at Tom Varn Park during the installation of United Way's newest Born Learning Trail is truly appreciated! A HUGE thank you to our sponsors at Pasco/Hernando Early Learning Coalition, Bravera Heath, Family Chiro, Weeki Wachee High School's National Honors Society, United Way's Student Board, and Brooksville Parks and Rec.
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Week 5: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Seminar
Grandparents caring for their grandchildren are invited to this specialized seminar, geared towards services, resources, and workshops catered to you! In partnership with PHSC, Parent Academy, United Way of Hernando County, and Hernando County Schools, we recognize the crucial role that grandparents play in the lives of our students. Join us for this hands-on, interactive initiative!
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WHEN: Monday, November 27th from 9:30am-2:00pm
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WHERE: PHSC Spring Hill Campus - BUILDING B - 450 Beverly Ct, Spring Hill, FL 34606
*Special thanks to our Supporting Partners from PHSC, Win the Day Foundation, Sinkhole Titan, Krueger City/Bagels & Beyond, Starbucks on County line, and Chick-fil-A!
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Contest Requirements:
- Must be a Hernando County resident
- Preschoolers through 5th grade welcomed to participate
- Coloring contest page must be fully colored
- Artwork (front) and Contact Information (back) must be completed
- Colored copy must be submitted no later than November 30, 2023
*Please submit all colored artwork before deadline to United Way of Hernando County office located at 4028 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606 or
scan and email colored front and back to Outreach@UnitedWayHernando.org.
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Hernando County children are invited to participate in this year's Annual Holiday Card Coloring Contest! This opportunity is offered to preschool students through 5th grade (Hernando County Schools and daycares, private schools, Hernando eSchool, and home-schooled students).
Submitted artwork is reviewed by United Way's Student Board Members, where 5 lucky winners who creatively embrace the LIVE UNITED spirit will have their artwork featured on United Way of Hernando County's Annual Holiday Card. Cards are distributed every December to over 200 community partners, local businesses, Board of Directors, and more.
As a thank you for the student’s artistic work, each winner’s family will receive a Holiday Card in the mail, and a special prize. The selected winners’ teacher will also receive copy paper and school supplies for their classroom!
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November 9, 2023
Over 29 Hernando County School District donors pledged their annual United Way support, resulting in over $5,000 donated! THANK YOU 😊
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November 16, 2023
This WRECking Crew knows how to LIVE UNITED! Having the opportunity to visit the West Hernando Branch & share more on how they make a difference is such a pleasure!
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November 2, 2023
On November 2nd, Publix #1871 at Hernando West Plaza hosted their grand opening! Over 100 residents and our United Way team patiently waited outside the doors of Hernando's newest and most beautiful @publix store #1871 on US19 ! Welcome back, we've missed you!
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United Way of Hernando County is powered by partnerships. Although United Way's Business Blitz Challenge takes place annually in the month of June, our Preferred Partners who "accept" are supported and featured year-round!
Dr. Brian Dahmer has been alleviating pain for individuals in Spring Hill and Hudson, Florida, since November 2006. Proudly serving Hernando County for the past 17 years.
- What services are Family Chiropractic best known for?
Our center is renowned for a range of services, including adjustments, decompression therapy, cryotherapy, laser therapy, shockwaves, massages, and more.
- What is something the community might not know about Family Chiropractic?
Dr. Brian is deeply committed to the community's health and wellness. An example of this dedication is his response to a call in the middle of the night. He rushed to Oak Hill Hospital to assist with a newborn after a very challenging delivery to ensure the baby's well-being.
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Family Chiropractic Center for Wellness is a supporter of United Way through their annual BUSINESS BLITZ CHALLENGE in both 2021 & 2023, and we always see Family Chiro out at community events! What drives your practice to stay involved locally?
Dr. Brian, a Brooksville native, and the eldest of eight, emphasizes the importance of family and community. He strives to contribute to the community's growth and well-being, ensuring it thrives. Joanie, with roots dating back to 1994, shares this sentiment, wanting to see Hernando County reach its utmost strength.
- Is there anything else you want to share with the community about the Family Chiropractic Center for Wellness?
In a county with many chiropractors, what sets Dr. Brian and his family apart is their genuine care for the community. Dr. Brian's dedication to community members in pain extends beyond office walls. He truly cares about the flourishing of the community where he started his practice and calls home.
Get connected to Family Chiropractic Center for Wellness by visiting their website www.DrBrianChiro.com
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Senior Wellness Directory
Updated October 2023! 211-Hernando's goal is to have a community that is connected and informed regarding health, mental health, crisis response and human service information.
This is a wonderful resource to place in the hands of our residents. Those who do not have access to the internet or simply aren't aware of the available options here in Hernando will really benefit from these booklets.
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SingleCare
Did you know United Way of Hernando County and the SingleCare, formerly Familywize, Community Service Partnership have teamed up to make prescriptions more affordable for those without insurance or even those who have insurance that doesn't cover their medicine.
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Stress Management
Stress is a fact of life. Overbooked schedules, demanding work hours, long commutes, an outburst by an angry boss, a stand-off with a defiant teenage child and the bad news that makes headlines every day are all contributors to the increased stress that many feel. Now more than ever it is important to recognize signs of stress in ourselves, our families and our communities and take the necessary steps to reduce stress and intervene if needed.
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Dementia Care Support Group
Location: Oak Hill Senior Living Community - 7411 Cortez Oaks Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34613
When: First Monday of each Month @ 1pm
This support group is FREE and open to all caregivers caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia. This health initiative is in collaboration with the Dementia Spotlight Foundation
For more information & support, contact Gary Joseph LeBlanc.
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2-1-1 Hernando
211 is a 24/7 helpline and user friendly search website for individuals in need of assistance with various unmet needs such as mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness.
United Way's monthly-call trend reports for Hernando show the following top needs for October 2023:
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Call Count = 1,277
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Need Count = 1,526
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Top 5 needs: Housing: 541, Utility Assistance: 186, Mental Health/ Substance Use Disorders: 166, Information Services: 107, Individual, Family & Communication Support: 93
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INCOME: Financial Stability & Basic Needs | |
TAKE ACTION: LIVE UNITED With Us | | |
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United Way of Hernando County | 352-688-2026
4028 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
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