May 2024 Newsletter

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Gets a Boost

Reading Program Ready for More Kids

United Way's dream of getting every child in Payne County under five years of age registered for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is now a possibility, thanks to a $35,000 grant from Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation, Inc. The reading program delivers free, age-appropriate books each month to registered children. (Read more)

Learn more about the program or register your child

by clicking the button below!

SAVE THE DATE

May 8 - Ted's Tacos and Cantina

Fundraiser Night

May 11 - Letter Carriers

Food Drive

May 27 - Memorial Day

UWPC Office Closed

May 31 - Joe's United Way Golf Classic

Register

May 31 is Tee Time!

Joe's Golf Classic is Back!

Joe's United Way Golf Classic is back and ready to give its players a unique golf experience! Get the chance to sink a hole-in-one and win $25K towards a new vehicle! Plus, food, an Eskimo Joe appearance and more. Proceeds benefit United Way of Payne County.

Letter Carriers Driven to Collect 15,000 lbs. of Food on May 11

(Above) Food drive coordinator, Brenden Swan, helps volunteers sort food donations.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive needs your help. Check out this video to learn more!

Letter carriers in Stillwater, Perkins and Cushing will pick up non-perishable food items on May 11. Recommended items include, canned tuna or chicken, canned fruits, pasta, rice, peanut butter, granola bars, canned sauce, soup and stew, etc.

Leave donations in a plastic bag near your mailbox and avoid glass or expired items.

They aim to collect 15,000 lbs.

of non-perishable food to donate to food pantries in the county!

Community Connections

Thank you to all those showing our office a little love and attention!

Adam Cisco, Hatch Early Mood Food manager, personally delivered delicious drinks to our office for a much-needed pick-me-up.

Shelbye Spencer, UWPC Board Member

and Simmons Bank employee, invited our staff to Chef Kyle Richardson's delicious Demonstration Lunch at OSU!

Haley Goes Abroad

UWPC intern, Haley Velez, is traveling

to Zimbabwe this summer to see her philanthropic efforts in person! Haley is a co-founder of the Wishes for Water Foundation, which helps build above-ground, solar-powered wells in Zimbabwe. UWPC is excited to see her take advantage of this opportunity!

Black Cat Open in October

Save the Date! Mark your calendars for the October 11 Black Cat Open Golf Tournament in Cushing.

More details coming soon!

PARTNER AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Payne County Youth Services (PCYS) provides a variety of free services to improve the quality of life for children, youth and families. Their programs include Emergency Youth Shelter, Transitional Living for youth age 18-22, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling, Safe Sitter Training, Suicide Prevention Training, and Safe Place.

The Safe Place Program provides immediate response and resources for children and youth in crisis. Easily accessible Safe Place sites (such as schools, fire stations, and convenience stores) have employees who are trained to respond.

When a child arrives at one of these locations, PCYS is contacted and transportation to the youth shelter is provided. There are more than 54 Safe Place sites in Payne County. With this program, children are empowered to refer themselves which increases the chance of their safety.

Looking for ways to help or volunteer?

Click below for more information.

Website: Payne County Youth Services

United Way of Payne County

info@unitedwaypaynecounty.org

Learn more at www.unitedwaypaynecounty.org