"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

See more nonprofit flyers below.

Congratulations Angela Simmons at Hickory City Schools.



Angela’s name was drawn as the first finalist for the 2026 Catawba County United Way Car Giveaway.

Thank you, Paramount Auto Group in Hickory for donating the vehicle, and thank you Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, for overseeing this year’s drawings.

Employees at local businesses running a United Way campaign who donate a minimum of $100 are eligible to enter each week's drawing.

Funds raised during the annual Catawba County United Way campaign support local non-profit efforts to help individuals and families facing a crisis in our community.

Want to be part of this year’s United Way campaign? Call 828-327-6851 for more information about hosting a United Way campaign at your company.

The Car Giveaway winner will be chosen on Dec. 10, and Thank You to everyone who supports the CCUW every year.

Since 1993, the John F. Hall Catawba County United Way Cross Country Invitational has been providing an opportunity for local athletes to compete in a first-class meet and give back to their communities through service projects.

This year, the Invitational’s special guest is Adrian Wildschutt who finished 2nd in the 2020 NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships for Florida State. He has set several records in South Africa and competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Wildschutt currently runs professionally for the Hoka NAZ Elite team.

The United Way meet will be held Oct. 14 at Southside Park in Newton. To learn more or sign-up your team call 828-327-6851.

The Catawba County United Way's first Mahjong United event was a great success. Good times were had and lots of crowns handed out.

We had about 32 players that raised a little over $1,800 for our community.

Thank you to our sponsors: Notions828, Cranford Brothers BBQ, and Emerald Health

Thank you to our raffle prize donors: Vanguard Furniture, Oz’s Jewelers, Basketley, Swisher Skin and Laser Center and LouLou’s Corner.

Thank you also to Banners by Taylor in Hickory on IG for our wonderful Mahjong banner.

Learn more at THIS LINK.

Catawba County United Way wants to thank everyone who attended Race United at the Hickory Motor Speedway’s Championship night on Sept. 19.

Nearly 2,000 race fans came out to enjoy a fee night of racing, fireworks and an opportunity to meet more than a dozen local nonprofits who participated in this year’s Resource Fair.

The United Way also hosted a Food Drive prior to the start of racing and collected almost a ton of non-perishable items. The donations will be distributed between The Hickory Soup Kitchen, Ashure Ministry, The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory and The Corner Table.

The United Way also wants to say THANK YOU to our 2026 sponsors who helped to make it a free night of racing and fireworks for the public: Catawba Valley Medical Center, People’s Bank, Shuford Yarns, Rock House Farm Family of Brands, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., Publix, Paramount Automotive and Truist Bank.

Thank You again to everyone who helped as a volunteer, set up for the Resource Fair, donated to the Food Drive, our event sponsors and all the spectators who came out to the races.

Applications for this year's Catawba County Christmas Bureau open online only on Sept. 28 and close on Oct. 12.



This is the annual, collaborative effort for local nonprofits and public agencies to provide toys, clothing and coats to children ages birth to 12 and teens 13-17.



Apply online at www.saangeltree.org, starting Monday.

Park Stewardship Days series. We’re partnering with Visit Hickory NC, Outdoor NC and Keep Catawba County Beautiful to offer volunteer opportunities at each of the four Catawba County Parks.

The upcoming dates are:

• October 17 – St. Stephens Park
• November 7 – Bakers Mountain Park
• February 20 – Riverbend Park
• March 13 – Mountain Creek Park

All four events will be held from 9–11:30 a.m. and will include hands-on environmental revitalization and scenic landscape enhancement projects. No special skills are required, and tools, supplies and guidance will be provided. Volunteers should plan to wear long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes appropriate for outdoor work.

There is no registration or sign-up required.

Questions? Email Anna Koby at - akoby@catawbacountync.gov.

The Catawba County United Way has gathered more volunteer information from other local nonprofits and public agencies. See the Link Below.

Do you know of some high school student leaders with an interest in building their leadership skills and/or learning about local government and issues?

Catawba County NC Cooperative Extension is currently accepting applications for high school students in grades 9-11 who would like to be part of the Catawba County Youth Council. The council is a commissioner-appointed, youth leadership program designed to encourage civic engagement.

The council meets monthly on a Monday evening, with students having the chance to learn through programs, speakers, and volunteer projects. The Council is limited to students who live or attend school in Catawba County and there are some attendance expectations associated with re-appointments to continue, after the first year.

The council works closely with the Catawba County United Way and one of their favorite projects is their involvement with the United Way Youth grants program. Students can apply online at https://go.ncsu.edu/2026-27applicationccyc. Deadline to apply is Oct. 2 and also requires a letter of recommendation. If you have questions about the Youth Council, call Cooperative Extension at 828-465-8240.

In the last 30 days, finding shelters and paying an electric bill were the two biggest requests for help NC 211 received from Catawba County.

Top Requests by the numbers:

-Shelters – 69

-Rent assistance – 66

-Low-cost housing – 23

-Electric bills – 43

-Food – 20

NC 211 is the United Way of North Carolina's health and human services information line, open 24/7.

The Catawba County United Way is proud to help fund NC 211 locally, ensuring the ability to connect those in crisis with the resources they need.



For help - Call NC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892 1162 or visit https://nc211.org/.

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. Want to submit a nonprofit flyer? Email John at 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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