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December 2024 | Issue: 38 | |
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Dementia Care Support Group
Monday, January 6th @ 1:00pm
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VITA Volunteer Training
January 6th - January 8th from 9:00am-4:00pm
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COAD #86
Monday, January 27th @ 9:30am
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Long-Term Recovery Group #2
Monday, January 27th @ 2:00pm
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With 'Accountability' being one of United Way's many Core Values, we are sharing with you a simple Guide to Giving this holiday season!
United Way understands the impact that charitable giving has on improving communities and helping individuals. United Way also understands how important it is to choose the right organization to donate your hard-earned dollars to. As you prepare to make any type of charitable gift, we urge you to follow the simple guidelines below.
1.) VIEW YOUR DONATION AS AN INVESTMENT
2.) DO YOUR HOMEWORK
3.) UNDERSTAND THE TAX BENEFITS
4.) DECIDE HOW YOU WILL GIVE & HOW MUCH
5.) TRACK YOUR DONATIONS
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RESPONDING TO BACK-TO-BACK DISASTERS | |
Hernando's COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) has met monthly for the past 4 years, as a disaster planning initiative. This group consists of over 50 local Hernando health & human service agencies dedicated to planning & preparedness, trend tracking, and proactive partnership building. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, and in partnership with Hernando County Emergency Management, United Way quickly activated the Family Resource Center (FRC) on September 28th at the Weeki Wachee Area Club in response.
The FRC was hosted at the Weeki Wachee Area Club for two weeks, and served as a resource hub for individuals and families directly impacted by Hurricane Helene. COAD Partners such as United Way, Health & Human Services, American Red Cross, CareerSource, Department of Health, Baycare, CERT, and more were stationed at the Area Club so residents didn't have to go far to receive relief information, supplies, support, and hope.
While still coordinating recovery efforts for impacted residents, another weather disturbance was forecasted our way. The Weeki Wachee FRC was demobilized in preparation of the storm. Hurricane Milton hit Hernando County just 10 days after Hurricane Helene's 8ft storm surge caused mass destruction on the West Coast. Milton's 76mph winds devastated the Brooksville area with large downed trees, torn roofs, and fallen power lines. After helping deploy our chainsaw crews for relief efforts, the county and our eastside families prepared but could have never fathomed for the Withlacoochee River to overflow the historic rate that it did.
Over a two week period the water slowly rose until it crested at 19.4ft. Our teams activated the Ridge Manor Community Park Point of Distribution (POD) for immediate relief including hot meals, tarps, water, and MRE's, and ultimately activated our eastside FRC at the Ridge Manor Community Center on October 28. As residents of Ridge Manor kayak from their homes to the center, the FRC served as so much more than just dry land. Dedicated volunteers made it their mission to provide day in and day out restoration services for over 30 days. This included on-site respite, FEMA, application assistance, daily hot meals, basic necessities, canned food and bedding, household goods, and cleaning supplies.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approached and the FRC closed, the Hernando COAD, Emergency Management, and county officials shifted from short-term relief to long-term recovery for both coasts. Hundreds of households here in Hernando will never be the same, but our support as a community does not stop there.
To be involved in Hernando's Long-Term Recovery Group conversation on next steps, complete this interest survey. If you are a resident still in need of disaster relief assistance, call (352) 754-6384 or visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Contact-UWHC-us
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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 #UNITEDNews release, we are highlighting United Way Board Member Sheila Sanders, HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital MBA, BSN, NEA-BC as CNO.
- Why is LIVING UNITED through United Way important to you?
"Living United Emphasizes the idea that everyone has a role to play in making our community better and healthier place to live. Their vision for quality of life initiatives focuses on a collective approach when it comes to helping one another."
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In your field, explain why you believe HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital and United Way work so well together as community partners.
"Both United Way and HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital believe in the same mission, to provide and care for others in need. In order to continue this level of support and improve the overall health of our community, all while encouraging our neighbors to be healthier, they need the resources that United Way provides. By better educating our caregivers with available and local services, we are enhancing our toolboxes to better serve those in need."
- What focus areas are you most passionate about improving in Hernando?
"Access to healthcare, economic development and educational academis."
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DISASTER RELIEF THANK YOU HIGHLIGHTS | |
A special thank you to Winn-Dixie on Mariner Boulevard for their internal collection and distribution of food in response to the recent storms. Over 40 banana boxes of non-perishable food items were collected and distributed to those in need after Hurricane Helene. | |
From the day we activated the FRC in Weeki Wachee, Family Chiropractic Center for Wellness has been there not only for our organization but for the residents of Hernando. From hosting meal sites to supply distributions to consistent drop-off/pick-ups, Family Chiro's outreach team has truly gone above and beyond. | |
Chapters Health Foundation delivered a truck load of hurricane supply items such as cleaning supplies and food after Hurricane Milton. | |
THANK YOU HOLIDAY FAMILY SPONSORS | | |
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Keller Williams Realty Elite Partners | |
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This isn’t Tropic Shores Realty’s first rodeo. Our partners Linda and Jim Tacy have been assisting their community for decades, and helping United Way for years now with so many initiatives. Whether they are collecting food for our food drive, donating disaster relief items & cleaning supplies, sponsoring preschool children with free books on our DPIL, or accepting our Business Blitz Challenge, they are here to serve! Our team is grateful for this Proud Partnership. | |
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Our libraries are at it again! This annual back to the basics drive collects toiletry items at our local Giving Tree locations. All items are distributed back Through homeless outreach efforts here in Hernando County.
Most Donated Items:
- Combs
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Bar Soap
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When we received a call from our friends at Deltona Elementary School with a need of additional school supplies, we immediately jumped at the chance to serve!
Thanks to our wildly successful Stuff the Bus this past summer, United Way had additional items ready to distribute to classrooms.
This came in handy for DES‘s Title ne night!
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Recognizing some Powerful Pace Setters! Our team is grateful for the opportunity to visit the West Hernando Branch & share more on how they make a difference each and everyday throughout the community. This hard working WRECking Crew knows how to LIVE UNITED! | |
The Hernando County Realtors Association responded swiftly after the storms. Their food collection helped stock up families in need right before the holiday season. | |
NOVEMBER'S "5 DAYS OF CARING" RECAP | |
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WEEK 1: Dementia Care Seminar
11/1/24 - With over 26 caregivers in attendance, and a heavy emphasis on disease education, legal services, and self-wellness, this semi-annual seminar was hosted at The Residence at Timber Pines. This FREE opportunity will continue to connect families and caregivers focusing on loved ones living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. A special thank you to supporting partners from Dementia Spotlight Foundation, Residence at Timber Pines, HCA Oak Hill Hospital, Home Instead Senior Care, and Always Near Home Care, who provided on-site respite.
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WEEK 2: Grandparents Seminar
11/8/24 - Through a series of interactive sessions and hands-on activities, over 40 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren were able to engage with experts and gain valuable insights in the following areas: Behavioral Health - Understanding Expectations & Reaching Full Potential, Technology - Safely Getting Connected & Staying Connected, and Legal Services - Guidance on Options & Opportunities.
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WEEK 3: LifeSouth Blood Drive
11/15/24 - You LIVE here, you GIVE here, it STAYS here! Much like how our United Way functions, our friends at LifeSouth Community Blood Center have very similar values. All donations remained here in Hernando and benefit our friends, families, and neighbors for when they’re in need.
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WEEK 4: Born Learning Trail Installation
11/18/24 - Thanks to our Proud Partners from Early Learning Coalition Pasco Hernando for sponsoring this initiative at Delta Woods Park, ELC team members and loyal United Way donors reinstalled this Born Learning Trail 8 years later after it's initial launch date. United Way’s Born Learning Trail incorporates 10 interactive trails signs designed to encourage parent and caregiver engagement with their young children while at our local parks. Volunteers helped by dig holes, installing posts, drilling signs, and painting shapes, hopscotch, & ABC trails in designated areas!
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WEEK 5: "Give Thanks, Give Food" Distribution
11/26/24 - Our annual October Food Drive serves countless shelters and pantry partners prior to Thanksgiving. This season, St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry off Kass Circle benefitted from this county wide collection to better aid those underserved.
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KEEPING UP WITH UNITED WAY | |
Sponsors Needed for Early Literacy! | |
Lace up your cleats and join us for the 10th Annual "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament, hosted on Saturday April 5, 2025 at Anderson Snow Park.
United Way of Hernando County's Kickball Tournament's purpose is to support early literacy and continue to provide Hernando preschool children free books to help them grow their own little library and prepare them for kindergarten. All proceeds from this the "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament benefit United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program, currently providing over 1,100 Hernando children with a free book every month from birth to age of five. Books are mailed directly to enrolled children regardless of their family’s economic status.
Keep an eye on United Way's Kickball event page for Save the Date information & tournament details! www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Kickball
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VITA Volunteer Meet & Greet | |
Earlier this week United Way hosted our VITA Volunteer Meet & Greet! These dedicated volunteers will all be IRS Certified and ready to serve the community come tax season. United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program aims to help local residents by preparing their tax returns completely free of charge.
This financial stability initiative impacted over 1,871 families last year alone – saving them $842,000. Many households utilize these savings to pay for basic necessities, bills, and expenses. All 5 preparation sites are by appointment only, and will begin scheduling in January 2025 through www.UnitedWayHernando.org/VITA.
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Holiday Coloring Contest Winners | |
We are thrilled to unveil United Way's 2024 Holiday Coloring Contest Winners!
A huge congratulations to the following Hernando students for capturing the LIVEUNITED spirit in their artwork. Each one of these coloring sheets will be featured on the cover of United Way's Holiday Card to over 300 community partners, spreading joy across the county.
We thank you all for spreading the holiday spirit with us!
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Our United Way and Hernando County Fire Rescue team spent some time at the Emergency Management Warehouse mobilizing a mass supply distribution of remaining basic necessities to active and in need COAD Partners (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).
Organizations were loaded up with truck loads of items such as baby diapers, hygiene kits, adult diapers, toiletries, and shoes to help distribute to Hernando residents recently impacted by storms and those underserved.
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The purpose of a Long-Term Recovery Group is to have a designated, centralized, coordinating group of partnering organizations/businesses whose common goal is to assist the impacted individuals and families in the community with their Long-Term Recovery Efforts.
Interested in becoming apart of the conversation? Express interest HERE
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The Dirty Dozen represents the worst of the worst tax scams. Compiled annually, the Dirty Dozen lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime - but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. Stay informed so that you and your family don't fall prey! | |
For residents who have experienced mass and extended flooding, whether they live on the West coast or East side of Hernando County. Please remediate the mold issue that will unfortunately present itself when gone untreated. For detailed tips on cleaning mold safely, please review the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDCat "CDC Homeowners and Renters Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters". | |
If you work closely with any non-profit agency, you may notice a common trend when it comes making it their mission to educate. Educate clients on how to qualify for their services. Educate residents on where their generous donations go. And educate communities at large who they are as an organization and their purpose. While navigating this outreach effort to educate, our dedicated teams are often faced with busting myths. “I thought you did this?” We’re here to set the record straight through our UNITED WAY MYTH BUSTERS SERIES. Each month we will feature select United Way Partner Programs, highlighting their common “myths” and how you can help be an advocate to educate. | |
Senior Wellness Directory
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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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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