"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

Congratulations to Casey Dycus from Newton-Conover City Schools, this week's car drawing finalist in the 2023 Catawba County United Way Car Giveaway.

It's starting out as a big year with more than 2,000 names currently in the drawing with seven more weeks to go.

For the 12th year, the car will be donated by Paramount Automotive Group, and thank you to RLI – CPA, Certified Public Accountants for overseeing this year’s drawings.

Want to be part of this year’s United Way campaign and have a chance to win a new car?

Call 828-327-6851 or visit THIS LINK.

Thank You to everyone who supports the CCUW every year.

Past Car Giveaway winners:

• 2012 – Richard Jennings – Century
• 2013 – Barbara Cromer – The Salvation Army
• 2014 – Cody Myers – HSM
• 2015 – Marcie Boughman – DSS
• 2016 – Deborah Morel – DSS
• 2017 – Fred Roseberry – Century
• 2018 – Susan Estes – Conover School
• 2019 – Danny Miller – Shurtape
• 2020 – Amy Hedrick – Publix Lake Hickory Crossing
• 2021 – Meghan Stripling – Conover School
• 2022 – Margaret Bush – Conover School

After a record number of car giveaway donor cards the first week (more than 1,000), the Catawba County United Way saw the number grow to more than 2,000 in the third drawing this week. Thank You to everyone who is participating in this year's CCUW campaign.

Thank You…Thank You.



Haworth closed out this year’s annual United Way School Supply drive, dropping off their donations last week and giving us one last boost for the event.

Together, with all our other community collection partners, we received nearly 7,000 individual items.

These donations mean public schools in all three Catawba County school districts will have the extra supplies they need to keep student backpacks filled with all the classroom essentials.

Learn more about how you can continue to help local families throughout the school year - at THIS LINK.

And Thank You again to everyone who helps support this United Way event. Together we can make a difference.

We still need some Christmas Bureau volunteer Elves to help with distribution of Christmas bags.

If you have time to help on

Dec. 12 and 13.

Register at THIS LINK.

The Christmas Bureau is a collaborative effort among many Catawba County agencies and organizations to provide toys, food, clothing and coats to children and teenagers in need of assistance during the Christmas season.

Applications taken in October

Visit www.ecccm.org/cccb to select your appointment day/time.

If you cannot access the online appointment site, call 828-322-2535 to schedule an appointment. There are a limited number of appointments available so schedule your appointment ASAP.



Appointment times will be available Oct. 2 – 26 (Mondays – Thursdays) 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Oct. 10 and 19, 6 – 8 p.m.. Do not bring children.

To make your appointment go smoother, bring all required documentation and complete an information sheet for each child.

What’s Required to Register

·        Photo ID or passport for each applying adult.

·        Birth certificate or Medicaid card with date of birth for all children ages.

·        0-17 and still attending school in the household.

·        Custody papers as applicable.

·        Current food stamp award letter OR proof of all monthly income and expenses.

·        Proof of Catawba County residency.

·        17 and under and still in school – use additional paper if needed.

·        Prepare information for all children in household: name, birth date, gender, needs,

wishes, favorite color – tv show – animal, clothing type – infant – toddler- child, shoe size, coat, pants waist, pants length, shirt, bra.

If you have any questions or want to learn about being a volunteer for the event (we can always use the extra Elves to help) call 828-327-6851 or email John Bailey at the Catawba County United Way – jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

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 programs and 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 at the United Way office - 2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory.

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

Getting Help - Helen reached out to NC 211 after losing her job and finding out she was not eligible for unemployment. Suddenly without enough money for food, she was given several resources to contact for help. After also sharing with the NC 211 call specialist that she has no health insurance, she was sent information on where to apply for potential coverage. Helen expressed gratitude for being treated with dignity as she asked for help.

From food resources, emergency financial assistance, housing, healthcare, transportation - NC 211 can help you find out which services are available in your community. Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 or visit nc211.org.

Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program.