"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

The United Way of Catawba County is hosting the Ready to Race United event on Sept. 19.

This is a great opportunity to share information about your nonprofit and the programs you offer to the community, so let us know if you’d like to participate. 

What to know: 

• Set up needs to be completed by 4 p.m., (3130 US Hwy 70 SE Hickory) and you’ll need to bring your own tables, chairs and tents. 

• Like last year, agencies will set up in the area in front of the main entrance. Check in at the United Way tent at the entrance. We can help with set-up if needed.

• 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 and win prizes.



Food Drive: 

The United Way will also be holding a food drive throughout the race to benefit The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory, Hickory Soup Kitchen, Ashure Ministry and The Corner Table Community Kitchen.

If you are interested in being part of this year's event or have any questions just let John, Mark or Meredith at the United Way know – 828-327-6851, or fill out the sign-up form below.

The Catawba County United Way will host a luncheon Meet and Greet with local public school teachers and social workers on June 4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the CCUW office (2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory). 

For those interested in being collection partners during the CCUW's annual County-wide School Supply Drive, this will be an opportunity to learn directly from public school social workers and administrators about the needs and the impact of the drive on local families.

Register for the Luncheon through THIS LINK.



Questions? Email John Bailey at the United Way - jbailey@ccunitedway.com or call 828-327-6851.

Learn more about the impact of last year's United Way School Supply Drive at -

THIS LINK.

Reminder – the annual United Way Giving From the Heart Volunteer awards luncheon is just a couple of weeks away – June 10.

If your nonprofit made a nomination, make sure you RSVP as soon as you can for the luncheon at - https://www.ccunitedway.com/form/giving-from-the-heart-luncheon-s

The nominees along with one guest can attend the luncheon for free. Any additional individuals (family or representatives from the nominating agency) may join them at a cost of $10 per person for the meal.

Checks may be made payable to Catawba County United Way – Giving From the Heart - PO Box 2425 Hickory, NC 28603. They can be mailed ahead or dropped off the day of the event.

You can also make a payment through the United Way’s online Donor page, just write Giving From the Heart Awards in the donor box.

https://www.ccunitedway.com/form/giving-from-the-heart-luncheon-s

During this special event, all nominees will be recognized with a certificate. 

Three winners, one in each category – Youth, Individual, and Group – will be named. The winners of the “Giving From the Heart” award will receive an award and $500 from Piedmont Natural Gas paid to the non-profit organization of their choice.

We will also be using this event as an opportunity to pick next year’s NC Governor Volunteer Awards nominees.

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

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.

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 the link below.

Volunteer Opportunities From helping collect food, to manning an information desk, to showing up at a disaster ready to help, 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.

This week's highlight opportunities:

Kindness Project For anyone interested in volunteering, the agency's Sign-Up Genius is now open for Sunday Outreach in May.

Sundays |  9:55 AM – 1:15 PM

Volunteers meet at Highland United Methodist Church to help box meals, load supplies, and ride along to serve at various community stops. Sign-ups are updated monthly, so please check back regularly if your schedule doesn’t align this month.

Sign up at THIS LINK.

NC Cooperative Extension - Donation Station is a project offered in collaboration with Hickory Farmers Market during May-Sept. Watch for Donation Station at the Market and consider making a donation or volunteering. Volunteers are involved and needed to work with our Donation Station booth on the 1st Wed. morning of the month at the Hickory Market and some occasional Saturdays - individuals sign-up for the day of the choice to volunteer. If you would like to volunteer, register at THIS LINK.

To learn about other ongoing nonprofit Volunteer Needs visit the

United Way's Visitor Center at - 

THIS LINK.

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.

• 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.

GIVE - ADVOCATE - VOLUNTEER