"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

HAPPY

JULY 4TH, CELEBRATING

250 YEARS

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

The Catawba County Youth Council, in partnership with the Catawba County United Way recently announced this year’s Youth Community Investment Grant recipients.

The Youth Council’s grant process addresses the impact areas of health and education as they relate to the needs and wellbeing of children and youth in the county.

This year’s agencies include:

Family Care Center of Catawba Valley – Family Care Center provides homeless families with children emergency and transitional housing. Funds will help with the installation of an additional playground on campus. This will give children experiencing homelessness a typical and safe backyard playground.

Fostering Hope Catawba Valley, All Aboard Catawba – All Aboard Catawba, provides new car seats including infant, toddler and booster seats, for local children whose caregivers are either unable to purchase due to financial hardship or who are fostering a child through the Department of Social Services.

Malorie's Place, Support group for children – The program is dedicated to helping individuals/youth and families experiencing various life traumas. Funding will help with the costs of bi-monthly youth peer sessions and help with costs of equine therapy.

Newton-Conover City Schools, Therapy Dog Program – This program will have three certified therapy dogs to provide immediate support for students experiencing anxiety problems, behavioral and social barriers to learning. Funds help with veterinary visits, grooming, food/treats and therapeutic toys.

OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley – The agency works to ensure LGBTQ+ youth/teens have access to affirming, relationships, trusted mentorships. Funds will support an After-School Academic/Wellness Program for ages 12-16 – snacks, tutoring materials, recognition materials, stipends.

Agencies receiving grants must either be incorporated as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt entity or who have a 501-C3 legal status, within Catawba County. Monies available for program funding are raised through the Catawba County United Way’s annual community campaign.

All grant amounts are contingent on funding recommended by the Youth Council and approved by the Catawba County United Way Board of Directors.

The next United Way Youth Community Investment Grant cycle will open in February of 2027.

Learn more about the process at - THIS LINK or call 828-327-6851.

With outdoor temperatures reaching dangerous highs, the staff at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments gathered information on local hydration stations and cooling centers.

Other hydration sites (including after hours):

• ALFA (211 NC HWY 127 S Hickory, NC) has two coolers outside at the front entrance including after hours. 
• Catawba County United Way (2760 Tate Blvd SE) keeps water in its blessing box in front of the building.
• Cognitive Connections (929 15th Street NE, Hickory 28601).
• Safe Harbor (112 2nd Ave. SE Hickory, NC 28602) will have a cooler outside our gates filled with water bottles on ice. Anyone walking by may stop and get cold water. 
• Strong Life Ministries (1209 Fairgrove Church Road SE, Conover).
• Whole Life Center (206 1st Avenue SE, Hickory) Behind Hickory Soup Kitchen.

If you know of any other local resources contact John Bailey at the United Way.

Facebook update by Senior Nutrition Services - United Way Catawba County is a long-time supporter of Senior Nutrition Services. Its mission is to improve seniors' quality of life by providing them the choice to remain at home through the provision of nutritious meals, education, socialization, wellness activities, and community volunteer support. The program offers the programs: Meals on Wheels and Seniors Morning Out program to seniors in Catawba County. 

In North Carolina, 1,627,360 people are facing hunger - and of them 438,200 are children. 

In response to the continued need, United Way Catawba County worked with its community partners to create a list of local food resources – food pantries, hot meals, weekend programs.

To access the list, visit - https://www.ccunitedway.com/catawba-county-food-resources

The combination of charity and government assistance programs are necessary to help bridge the meal gap – according to https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/north-carolina.

• Information gathered from public social media posts and press releases. To submit a non-profit/public agency brief email the United Way's John Bailey at THIS LINK.

Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry - Summer is here, and GHCCM needs your help! As the temperatures rise, the agency is in need of bug repellent spray and bug repellent bracelets/bands to help protect our clients from mosquitoes while they're outdoors. GHCCM is also currently accepting donations of new women's underwear in all sizes, which is one of our most-needed everyday essentials.

• Donations can be dropped off at 31 1st Ave SE:
• Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Hunger Walk Registration is open - It's time to lace up your shoes and make a difference.

Join Ashure Ministry, Hickory Soup Kitchen, and The Corner Table for the 2026 Catawba County Hunger Walk on Sunday, Oct. 4, as we come together with Three Organizations.

One Mission.—fighting hunger in Catawba County.

Whether you walk as an individual, with your family, church, business, or community group, every step and every dollar raised helps provide food and hope to local individuals and families.

Bonus: Raise $25 by August 30 and earn this year's exclusive Magic T-shirt.

Help us spread the word by sharing this post and inviting others to join you.

Register today at THIS LINK.

(Reminder) New laws are changing the rules for NC Medicaid - Some people will need to follow new rules to keep their coverage. To read what is changing and what you need to do, go to THIS LINK.

- Many adults ages 19 through 64 will have to show they work or participated in an approved activity.

- Many adults ages 19 through 64 will have to renew Medicaid every six months.

- Medicaid may pay medical bills for care provided before you apply.

- Many non-citizens will no longer be able to have Medicaid coverage.

Operation Fan Relief - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging is partnering with the state area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans to eligible recipients through Operation Fan Heat Relief from May 1 – Oct. 31, 2026.

People aged 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, are eligible to sign up for assistance from May 1 – Oct. 31 at local aging agencies across the state. 



Since 1986, Operation Fan Heat Relief has purchased fans for older adults and adults with disabilities, providing them with a more comfortable living environment and reducing heat-related illnesses. Last year, the NCDHHS Division of Aging received $85,000 in donations, allowing for the distribution of 3,627 fans and 23 air conditioners in 93 counties across North Carolina.

From helping collect food, to sorting and preparing donated clothing, to manning an information desk, to showing up at a disaster ready to help, to sharing a smile with someone facing a crisis, Catawba County nonprofits would struggle to help others without their volunteers.  

Each year thousands of volunteers give their time to make a difference for those in need and no job is too small.

Their efforts mean nonprofits can have greater outreach with community projects and save the agencies thousands of dollars each month in labor costs.

Would you like to be part of this growing movement? See the link below for ongoing opportunities.

The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory – on July 25 The Salvation Army’s Echelon Emerging Chapter will be hosting a Christmas in July “Red Kettle” downtown Hickory under the sails. The Salvation Army will have kettle stands at many Walmart locations throughout Catawba County. We are in need of volunteers willing to ring the bell at the kettle for a minimum of one hour. Anyone interested can contact me prior to July 1 and Regina Nantz regina.nantz@uss.salvationarmy.org beginning July 1.

In addition: The Salvation Army Echelon of Greater Hickory is seeking volunteer members. Echelon is an initiative to provide opportunities for emerging professionals. We are inviting individuals and groups ages 22-40 to join us in making a difference through networking, fundraising and volunteering.

In this episode United Way Catawba County staff sit down with Lisa Clontz, the director of the domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, Shelter Home of the Foothills. You will gain insight into how Shelter Home of the Foothills empowers individuals on their journey to safety, stability and healing and how community support makes this work possible.

This episode is sponsored by Empowher. Empowher is an employee resource group through Transportation Insight & NTG.

Read related stories at - THIS LINK

We've all heard the phrase - "It takes a village," and in the nonprofit world it's true. The Catawba County United Way enjoys building relationships with its community partners and sees how much greater our impact is because of our collective efforts every day.

Below are some upcoming non-profit events from just a few of those partners...please share, and if you're interested, the Catawba County Interagency Council meets the second Thursday every month (10:30 a.m.) at the United Way office - 2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory.

Call 828-327-6851 for more information or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

• To submit a non-profit/public agency flier email John Bailey at THIS LINK.

Since 1944, the Catawba County United Way has been dedicated to increasing the capacity of people to help others. To learn more about the CCUW's mission contact us at 828-327-6851 or visit ccunitedway.com.

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