United Way Gives $5,000 to help fire victims in Clinton

Jackson , Miss. – The United Way of the Capital Area proudly gave five-thousand dollars yesterday to the American Red Cross to help apartment fire victims in Clinton , Mississippi recover.

“The American Red Cross Central Mississippi Chapter is grateful to the United Way of the Capital Area for (their) support of the services provided by the Red Cross to the families affected by the recent Clinton apartment fire. Thank you for stepping up so quickly to help us respond to the needs of these families”, said Mary Hammett Hamilton, Executive Director Central Mississippi Chapter American Red Cross

The fire destroyed an entire unit at the Reserve of Clinton apartments on September ninth. Although no one was killed, it left sixteen families without a place to live.

“The generosity of our donors allowed the United Way of the Capital Area to respond quickly to the immediate needs of the affected families.  Our partnership with the Red Cross ensures that all of these families' most pressing needs will be met” , said Carol Burger, President and CEO, United Way of the Capital Area.

The money will provide the sixteen families with temporary housing, food and clothing.

Providing funding for basic needs to community partners like the American Red Cross is a big part of what the United Way of the Capital Area does throughout the year.

The mission of United Way of the Capital Area is to build a caring community that invests its local resources and energies to improve the quality of life for all residents of Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.

For more information about your United Way please visit our website at www.myunitedway.com.

United Way and the M-Braves celebrate Back-to-School with Baseball

The United Way of the Capital Area and the Mississippi Braves teamed up to celebrate back to school with a little baseball on August 8 th at Trustmark Park in Pearl. The night also raised awareness about community issues in the Metro Area..

United Way invited its' partner agencies; Operation Shoestring, Magnolia Speech School and Madison Countians Allied Against Poverty to tell how they are helping in our community.

The fans in attendance were given“ United Way ” fans to help cool off from the summer heat.United Way of the Capital Area CEO Carol Burger and new Board Chairman Stuart Kellogg threw out ceremonial first pitches.

Kaleob Carter (pronounce CALEB) and Constance Hawkins both from United Way 's “StampOut/DropOut” program, served as the honorary
bat-boy and “play ball” call person.

Sister Dorothea Passes Gavel!

Sister Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth, Board Chairman of the United Way of the Capital Area, passed the gavel to new Board Chairman Stuart Kellogg during the monthly board meeting July 18th. Sister Dorothea served as board chair the past two years. "I've been privileged and happy to serve as the Chairman of the Board of the United Way of the Capital Area," said Sister Dorothea.

During her two year tenure Sister Dorothea oversaw the United Way of the Capital Area deepen its commitment towards "Community Impact" projects. The Community Impact movement focuses resources on four specific areas; Childcare and Youth Services, Affordable Healthcare, Affordable Housing and Basic Needs.

Kellogg officially took over as board chair July 1st. He moves over to board chair from marketing chairman that he has held for the past two years. Kellogg told the other board members yesterday, "I'm excited about this [board chair] and thank you for this opportunity."

2-1-1 and ADMOBILE partner up

If you happen to be driving around the metro area look for 2-1-1 Mississippi's ad on the "ADMOBILE". The United Way and Admobile of Central Mississippi have entered a partnership to get the word out about 2-1-1 Mississippi.

"Having a community partner like Admobile is wonderful," said Tony Bahou, United Way of the Capital Area VP Community Relations. "We hit key areas with Admobile's mobile display. It allows people to know that 211 is here to help them."

Since its' inception last July, 211 Mississippi , the United Way 's health and human service referral number, has answered the call of over 33-thousand Mississippians. Whether it's been for utility assistance, emergency shelter or to volunteer, 211 has been an easy to remember number for help throughout the state.The call is free, dependable, and easy and is available in all 82 counties. 211 is for everyone.

JC Penny holds barbeque lunch to benefit United Way

Saturday might have been hot, but the food that a couple of dozen JC Penny volunteers cooked was even hotter. JC Penny, located at Northpark Mall, sold plates of barbeque to raise money for the United Way of the Capital Area. It's the second year the store has held such an event. Volunteers served over a hundred people throughout the lunch time period Saturday 23rd. Cleopatra Jones, who organized the event was pleased with the turnout.
The mission of United Way of the Capital Area is to build a caring community that invests its local resources and energies to improve the quality of life for all residents of Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties. If you would like to see more pictures from the event click here.

United Way donates bookbags to Canton School District

Canton, MS - The United Way of the Capital Area was proud to distribute over a 100 bookbags to the Canton Public School District last week.
The bookbags were donated by Office Depot during its' grand opening of the new Office Depot distribution center. read more...

Board Member Promoted

United Way of the Capital Area board member Lester Diamond has been promoted to Executive Vice President at St. Dominic Hospital.
The United Way of the Capital Area wants to wish congratulations to Diamond for all his work at St. Dominic Hospital and here at the United Way.
Lester began his employment with St. Dominic Hospital in October 1992 as Vice President of the North Campus.
Prior to the promotion, he was Senior Vice President of Professional Services. His new role is reflective of his responsibility as the Chair of Operations Committee for the hospital. In addition, Lester will serve on the Strategy Committee as well as retain administrative oversight of his divisional responsibilities.

Diamond has a long history with the United Way of the Capital Area. His first involvement was on the United Way's Donor
Investment committee over a decade ago. Diamond now serves on our board and is the chairman of the Donor Investment committee.

New Initiative Started

The African American Women Health Initiative is a group of diverse women who got together and decided to address healthcare and other issues relating to young African American females in our community. read more

Pictured are: Gwen Taylor, Carol Burger, Dr. Waine Kong, Dr. Geraldine Chaney Buie and Katrina Fayne

CONTACT:
Tony Bahou
United Way of the Capital Area
(601) 965-1348
tony@myunitedway.com

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER IS OUT!!!!
It's been awhile, but if you want to know what your United Way has been up to lately, read our E-News Quarterly Newsletter
that is fresh off the presses.

Office Depot gives back to the United Way!

Jackson, MS - Office Depot has been a long time partner of the United Way of the Capital Area. Wednesday afternoon, during a ceremony to open its' newest distribution center, Office Depot stepped up once again to support the United Way.

Prior to the grand opening local Office Depot stores have donated pens, paper, computers and various items through our gifts in kind program. If you would like more information about the United Way please feel free to visit various parts of our website.

United Way helps Long-term Recovery Workers Stay Resilient!

Jackson , Miss. – It has been a long and tough two years of healing since Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Earlier this month more than 100 mental health professional, volunteer case workers and first responders took a break from their recovery work to focus on their own emotions at the University of Southern Mississippi 's Gulf Coast Research Lab campus in Ocean Springs for a Resiliency Retreat.

“It was clearly the right place and right time,” said Julie Propst, the long-term recovery director for the United Way of the Capital Area and the retreat creator. “We are trying to make the connection of our own healing with all of God's creatures as the Mississippi Gulf Coast begins to heal itself.”

There were plenty of tears and gratitude over the three day event. The participants told each other about the stresses they have gone through the past 18 months. They created a community mobile with words on paper to illustrate the accomplishments and failures since Katrina. They held workshops to learn how to cope better during these long and stressful times.