"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way

On Wednesday, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) hosted the annual Giving From the Heart (GFH) Volunteer Awards at Conover Station to recognize and thank some of the most invaluable members of every nonprofit in the county. 

This year’s group of 28 nominees was equally amazing as in the past with individuals who have donated their time for decades, to groups who never say no when presented a task, to youth who are setting a new standard for community outreach.

And once again, the winner of each nomination category received $500 from Piedmont Natural Gas to be paid to the non-profit organization of their choice.



During the event, this year’s NC Governor’s Volunteer Award recipients were also recognized. They were chosen from the 2024 list of Giving From the Heart nominees.

The Catawba County United Way also thanks The Hickory Soup Kitchen who catered the luncheon.

The 2025 GFH winners

• Youth Category: Zaira Mendoza – Catawba County Juntos 4-H
• Group Category: Kindness Project Leadership Team
• Individual Category: Marc St. Germain – NC Guardian ad Litem

GFH INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES 

• Colleen Hastings – American Red Cross
• Daniel Gregory – Exodus Homes
• Dr. David Bost – Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry
• Donna Schronce - Ashure Ministry
• Dustin Thompson - Walk With Me, INC
• Felicia Harkey - Ashure Ministry
• Leanne Eichinger - Women’s Resource Center
• Marc St. Germain – NC Guardian ad Litem
• Melanie Elrod – Safe Harbor
• Ralph Dell – Ashure Ministry
• Renny Whetzel – Meals on Wheels of Catawba County
• Richard Jessee – Safe Harbor Resource Warehouse
• Robin Ray Martin – Fostering Hope Catawba Valley
• Rose Sipe – Safe Harbor
• Samantha Hubanks – Safe Harbor
• Sarah W. Huffman – Catawba Science Center
• Shannon Ratcliffe – Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center Augustine Tutor
• Trey Hamilton Ward – The Salvation Army Of Greater Hickory and High Country

GFH GROUP NOMINEES 

• Ashure Ministry “Wrecking Crew” – Ronnie Belloir, Jonathan Eckard, Kevin Hawley and Patty Hawley
• Council on Adolescents – Design Foundry Mentoring Group: Cassia Dowdy, Cora "Nini" Ray, Elizabeth Cruz, Gao Kue, Jason Estrada, Jay Logan, Jeffery Mitchell, Jonathan Vergel, Joshua Vang, Katja Peereboom, Kendrick Swepson, Lanesha Lineberger, Stacie Dodenhoff, Michael Burgin, Shannon Conley, Warren Alexander and Wesley Lloyd
• Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry “Dynamic Duo” – Bill Powell and Jerry Peppers
• The Kindness Project Leadership Team – Natalie Auton, Ashley Dellinger, Brittany Dula, Linda Huffman, and Amber Taylor
• The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center Advisory Council – Kendra Yang, Rick Martin, Rose Arant, Diana Cline, Mindy Crooks, David Hall, Jen Hall, Suzanne Hall, Andy Kerley, Kathee Martin, Rachele Maxy, Beth Whicker
• The Corner Table Community Kitchen – Wayne and Sharon Yount

GFH YOUTH NOMINEES

• Emma Pierce – The Kindness Project Inc
• Kyra Ryhal – Ashure Ministry
• Layla Bandy – Walk With Me Healing Steps
• Zaira Mendoza – Catawba County Juntos 4-H Program

NC GOVERNOR’S AWARDEES

• Jason Keating – Walk With Me Equine Therapy,
• Dana and Josia Florez – NC Cooperative Extension 4-H,
• Luke Wilkinson – The Corner Table,
• Amber Taylor – The Kindness Project Hickory,
• Betty Lynch – Ashure Ministry,
• Denise Bilhorn – Safe Harbor,
• Elizabeth Belvin – Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry,
• Nancy Lipe – Hickory Soup Kitchen,
• Robert Sand – Catawba County Meals on Wheels,
• NC Governor’s Volunteer Medallion - Darlene Sanders – Exodus Homes.



Offers fans to older adults and people with disabilities to keep cool during the summer months. A very limited supply of air conditioners may also be available for people with more serious health conditions.

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way

On Wednesday, Catawba County United Way Executive Director Mark Bumgarner was invited to talk to Safe Harbor Executive Director Gigi Williams about homelessness and how partnerships among local agencies can help address the issue.

The conversation took place during Safe Harbor’s Camping for a Cause event focused on raising awareness about understanding the needs of the unsheltered in the county.

In the last 30 days, 126 calls for help with housing or shelter were made to NC 211, the United Way of North Carolina’s community resource information line.

“The reason for this event is just trying to get people to understand that if you are someone living tonight on the streets, you’re thinking about keeping yourself safe,” Williams said. “You’re thinking about what you’re going to eat. You’re thinking about where you’re going to go tomorrow. You’re not thinking about how to get a job. You’re not there yet. You’re just trying to survive.”

Bumgarner challenged the community to acknowledge the complexity of the issue but to also begin working together to take those first steps toward lasting change.

“I’m not naïve. I understand the problems that homelessness causes,” he said. “I know it can be frustrating for municipalities. I know it can be challenging for businesses, but I think the reality is if we want to see this change, we have to invest time, money and energy to make it change.”

The CCUW thanks Safe Harbor for hosting this event and helping push the conversation forward. See the link below to watch the full video.

FREE Transportation Now Available for Long View Residents - The Town of Long View and Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry (GHCCM) are proud to launch weekly transportation services to help individuals access critical resources from medical care and crisis assistance to pharmacy, haircuts and life skills programs. Hope and help are closer than you think.

Pick-up starts Tue., June 17

• Food Lion – 2730 2nd Ave NW at 7:30 AM
• IGA Market Fresh – 3339 1st Ave SW at 7:40 AM

TO REGISTER:

Email: Transport@CCMHickory.org

Or stop by Long View Town Hall to register with Town Clerk, Heather Minor

Call 828-322-3921 for assistance.

Centro Latino is looking for 3 to 5 dedicated bilingual volunteers who want to make a difference in our community!

What you’ll do:

• Greet and assist clients at the door

• Answer phone calls

• Schedule appointments

• Refer clients to appropriate resources

Details:

• Must be at least 18 years or older

• Summer shifts available between 12–5 PM (Monday–Friday)

• Flexible commitment-volunteer for just 1 hour or up to 5 or more

• Spanish + English required

Have questions or want to volunteer? Contact our executive director at execdirector@centrolatinohickory.com or visit - https://www.centrolatinohickory.org/

The Catawba County United Way will be hosting its annual Race United free night of racing at the Hickory Motor Speedway (3130 US Hwy 70 SE, Newton, NC 28658) this year on Saturday, Sept. 13 and invites local nonprofits to participate in the resource fair prior to the race.

This is a great opportunity for nonprofits to share information about their agency and the programs they offer to the community. This also is the Hickory Motor Speedway's championship night and last year more than 2,000 were in attendance. The CCUW is thankful for this partnership with Hickory Motor Speedway.

What to know:

·        Event date: Sept. 13

·        Location: Hickory Motor Speedway (3130 US Hwy 70 SE, Newton, NC 28658)

·        Set up needs to be completed by 4:30 p.m. – gates open at 4:45 p.m., and you’ll need to bring your own tables, chairs and tents as needed.

·        Like last year, agencies will set up in the area in front of the main entrance. You can check in at the United Way tent at the entrance, and we’ll direct you to a spot.

·        Races start at 7 p.m. so we ask agencies to stay to at least 6:30 p.m.

·        Non-profit Bingo: we will have cards visitors can take around the tables to get a check by each agency. If they visit all the agencies they can win a prize.

·        Food Drive: We’ll also be holding another food drive to benefit local pantries.

·        We have limited space, so let us know as soon as you can if you’d like attend.

Sign up with the link below.

If you have any questions call John Bailey at the United Way – 828-327-6851.

We've all heard the phrase - "It takes a village," and in the non-profit 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.

NC 211 is the United Way of North Carolina's health and human services information line.

For help - Call NC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892 1162 or visit THIS LINK. Open 24/7.



The Catawba County United Way is a proud to help fund NC 211 locally.