"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way

Imagine getting the opportunity to have a conversation with John Lewis a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and an original member of the Freedom Riders in 1961.

What would it be like to meet Rosa Parks and hear her story about standing up to racial injustice and becoming one of the sparks to a key event in the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s, the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

What if you could meet, Ruby Bridges or Malcom X or Bass Reeves or Emmett Till’s mother Mamie Till.

These were exactly the opportunities visitors to the Black History Month Living Wax Museum at the Ridgeview Recreation Center in Hickory had on Feb. 24.

This was the 4th year of the event and was born out of the COVID pandemic and the need to find a way to engage students, according to Todder Clark, City of Hickory Parks and Recreation Facilities and Program supervisor.

It has become an inventive and interactive opportunity for children and the public to learn about Black History.

Clark has worked to make it a more local event as well. This year that included Septima P. Clark who lived in Ridgeview and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Shanna Clark, Catawba County United Way Director of Finance, said she enjoys learning about different cultures and their impact on our country’s history and was excited to attend the event.

“While it surprised me that it was live actors instead of just wax figures, it was more interactive and educational,” Clark said. “I learned about people who played a relevant role in Black History that I had not been educated on before.”

A highlight for her was “meeting” and learning about individuals like Fannie Lou Hamer.

“I didn’t know her story of teaching African Americans in Mississippi to read so they can register to vote, so that was fascinating,” Shanna Clark said.

For those who enjoyed meeting all these historical figures, Todder Clark said she looks forward to expanding the event and being even more creative in the future.

For more information, please contact Todder Clark at nclark@hickorync.gov or call 828-324-8007.

More Photos at THIS LINK.

The Catawba County United Way requires all agencies who receive a grant to provide End of Year Reports to show how the funds were used by their program and what its impact on the community was in the past year. 

Here are some highlights from the 2023 (EOY) reports submitted by program directors.

Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center – Child Medical Exam

• 104 served

Program provides medical exams for those affected by abuse sexual /physical and/or neglect. Victims of these crimes are able to feel safe and taken care of here and know that their “voices will be heard here”. I have seen kids walk in the door with their heads held high as they found the confidence to face their accusers in court and see justice served. It is truly a beautiful moment. With the funding from the CCUW you as an organization are also able to “share these moments” because of your financial support.

Salvation Army of Greater Hickory – Boys and Girls Club

• 187 served

The funds provided a safe space for children to learn and grow. "Jim" was a young man who first came to the Club through our athletic football program. While in High School he had already faced many challenges such as gang affiliation, homelessness and emotional trauma. Club staff identified his struggles and began to put a plan in place to help Jim break away from gang activities and other unhealthy lifestyles. With the help of our Club Director Jim enrolled in CVCC with the goal of obtaining a degree. Jim finished his first semester at CVCC on the Dean's list. Playing football may not be in his immediate future, but he is well on is way to overcoming some of life's toughest adversities.

Read more Highlights at THIS LINK.

Are you a small business looking to make a big difference in our community?

Join the Catawba County United Way’s Small Businesses Love Big initiative.

This is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to contribute $365 each as an investment back into the community, supporting local non-profit programs.

2023 SBLB funded Agencies:

• The Corner Table,
• Catawba County Council on Aging, Family Care Center,
• Hart Square Foundation Inc.,
• Catawba County Juntos 4-H,
• Neigbors Network Inc.,
• OUTright Youth,
• Rising Hope Farms Inc.,
• Serving Our Seniors,
• Volunteer Outreach in Community Efforts.



The CCUW is currently recruiting more small business partners to help with this year’s grant cycle, which runs from August through September.

Learn how your company can be part of this initiative at https://www.ccunitedway.com/small-businesses-love-big or call 828-327-6851.

In total, 28 local small businesses joined SBLB in its first year:

MyFreeTaxes helps individuals file their federal and state taxes for free, and it’s brought to you by United Way.

The Catawba County United Way’s Large RFP Grant cycle recently opened.

These grants are for Catawba County non-profits or not for profit agencies focused on helping individuals and families in the areas of health, education and income stability.

Applications due by midnight March 25.

Basic requirements for a grant:



• Requesting at least $10,000,
• Have a volunteer board of directors who meet at least quarterly,
• Focus on health, income stability or education,
• Agree to provide mid-year/end of year reports,
• Provide demographic information,
• Provide outcome measurements,
• Copy of 501 C-3,
• Copy of Most recent 990,
• Copy of Most recent audit,
• Copy of Current solicitation license.

 Apply online at - THS 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 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.

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, 365 days a year.

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