|
|
|
|
CHILI FEED AND SILENT AUCTION RAISES OVER $12,000
The 12th annual chili feed and silent auction was a huge success. 34 chili cook off contestants competed for the distinguished awards.
Best Display went to Village Family Services, runner up was 3M, and honorable mention went to Arrowwood #1 and Lutheran Social Services.
Hottest Chili was won by Brenton Engineering, runner up was KXRA and honorable mention went to the Alexandria Fire Department.
Open Division Douglas County Hospital took first place, runner up was KIKV and honorable mention went to Viking Savings Bank.
Most Unusual YMCA-Young People's Place won first place, UCAN was runner up and honorable mention went to Legal Services of NW MN.
Commercial Division first place went to Willy's Roadside Café, runner up Arrowwood #1, and honorable mention went to Arrowwood #3.
People's Choice award went to Elder Network and the runner up was Glenwood State Bank.
Thank you to all the businesses, agencies and volunteers who donated chili, merchandise, time and talent to make this such a great event.
|
| ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
|
|
Taking Steps Against Domestic Violence Walk October 13th
Tuesday 5:00 pm
Douglas County Courthouse
Speakers Light Lunch
Luncheon for Domestic Abuse Awareness October 14th
Wednesday 11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Arrowwood Resort $13 per person |
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
UCAN (United Communities Advocating Non-Violence)
|
The vision of UCAN is "to be an abuse free community" and our mission - "to transform the community and lives of those affected by abuse through support, awareness, education and involvement".
The "seeds" of UCAN Inc. started many years ago with the murder of Missy Johnson and the work began through healthy youth/ healthy children peace committee. In February of 2000 we did a "100 Man Lunch" to get more men involved in anti-violence efforts. The luncheon "spawned" the development of the Business Workplace Committee and we started meeting regularly. Our focus has been on efforts to reduce domestic abuse and its effects in the workplace.
UCAN Inc. has always tried to "keep pace" with the community and trying not to move ahead at a pace that citizens won't keep up with. Our business community members have helped us to keep our focus on the issue from a "grass roots" level.
The UCAN committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month starting promptly at 7 am and meet for 55 minutes. We have 20 plus members on the committee.
A few of the projects we have worked on over the years include: Annual Domestic Abuse Awareness Luncheon in October; Business Workplace presentation; Peace Challenge & Mayors Honor Roll; the End Abuse Pledge; the UCAN Medallions; Taking Steps Against Domestic Violence Walks;
Violence in the Workplace Trainings; Peace message; and Domestic Abuse Awareness Booklets.
UCAN Inc. is not a conventional program where you work with clients. Our goal is change hearts and minds of men, women, and children.
A few years ago we felt that it was time to become more formal and need to become a 501(c)3 organization. That is the time we changed or name from the Peace Committee to UCAN Inc.
If anyone would like to be on the list for the weekly peace message please send an e-mail to peaceinalexandria@hotmail.com and ask to be put on the list. Each Monday morning you will receive a positive based e-mail to help you start your week off on the right foot.
Recently the Douglas County Commissioners joined with UCAN Inc. and passed a "primary prevention of domestic abuse" resolution that is the first in the state and maybe the country.
UCAN is very grateful to the support that United Way of Pope/Douglas County has given over the years. |
|
|
DOLLY PARTON
IMAGINATION LIBRARY
|
Did you know that 35% of children arrive at kindergarten
unprepared to learn? The more words a child hears the larger the child's vocabulary when they start
kindergarten and the more likely that child will become a proficient reader. Children who are given books are four times more likely to have a parent read to them. Reading to babies encourages the child to associate
reading with love and comfort.
This project provides books for all children in Pope and Douglas Counties from birth to age five. Once a child is registered, each child will receive a new age appropriate book every month at no cost.
You can play a part in preparing children for supports the Dolly Parton Imagination Library school and reading by giving to the United Way. A gift of $30 provides books for one year. This $30 pays for the shipping and handling, the books are free from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. If you're looking for a gift that keeps on giving, remember the United Way and designate your gift to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. If you're looking for that gift that keeps on giving why not make a donation in honor of a friend for their birthday or Christmas.
For more information or to find out how to get involved with United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties to impact this community, visit http://www.uwdp.org. |
| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
|
Volunteers are needed for the United Way Coat Distribution on October 16th from 9 am to 7:30 pm at Glenwood Lutheran Church.
WINGS need 2 volunteers on Mondays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm to help with childcare during "group" at the Transitional Housing complex. Volunteers are also needed on Wednesdays to help with the Butterflies Fly Free program from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at Woodland Elementary School. Contact Dorie at 763-6638.
West Central MN Communities Action is beginning to train volunteers for the VITA Tax Clinic in January. Volunteers are needed to be screeners, greeters, preparers, reviewers and more. Contact Randi Bryan-Pajari at 218-685-4486 or visit the website at http://www.wcma.org or email Randi at randip@wcmca.org
Lutheran Social Services Incredible Years Parenting Program Class will be held Mondays through December 14, 9 - 11:30 am. Volunteers are needed to assist lead child care coordinator. Contact Jody at 762-5124.
District 206 Community Education Mentor program has opportunities for community based mentors:
- Mentors for students in grades 5-9 who are matched one to one with an adult to develop supportive friendships.
- School based mentors in the Lunch Buddy program are needed for students in grades 1-6. Mentors enjoy a twice monthly visit with their lunch buddy over school lunch.
- Puppeteers learn puppetry to present information about disability awareness and self-protection issues to elementary students. For more information on any of these opportunities, please contact Ruth, School District Volunteer Coordinator 762-3310 at ext 4272.
Habitat for Humanity Office Volunteer trainings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am at the Habitat for Humanity Office, please register by calling 763-4255. |
|
HONOR FRIENDS & FAMILY WITH SPECIAL GIFTS
Memorial Gifts
Some things do last forever. By making a memorial gift you can honor a special friend or loved one even after they are gone. Their community was important to them. By giving to United Way, you honor them by supporting people who need it most in their home community. Memorial Gifts to the United Way are listed in our monthly newsletter.
A memorial gift was given this month by Marilyn Staples in memory of Don Staples of Starbuck.
Leave a Legacy
Gifts can take many forms. It can be as basic as designating United Way as a beneficiary in a will or life insurance policy. It can also be more complex, such as designating funds from a trust account. Often times, there can be significant tax advantages as well, depending on asset donated. An experienced financial planner or tax advisor can play an valuable role in determining the appropriate plan. For more information, please contact United Way at 763-4840. | |
|
GIVE.
|
| Giving through our annual campaign is the easiest and most powerful way to invest in your community. Your gift is invested locally to get visible and meaningful results. As always, if you work in one county and live in another, you can direct your contribution to the county you live in. |
ADVOCATE.
|
| Make some noise, be the voice for those who can not advocate for themselves. You can make change happen with your voice. Get informed about the needs in your area. Tell your friends what they can do to make difference. Write a letter to the editor, contact your local elected officials or just start a conversation with your neighbors about a pressing issue. United Way needs people who are passionate about education, income and health to make some noise. |
VOLUNTEER.
|
| Reach out a hand, and influence the condition of all. Volunteer your time to change the life of another as well as your own life! United Way's Volunteer Center works with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop year-round volunteer opportunities for groups, youth, busy working adults and seniors. Visit http://www.uwdp.org for a list of local volunteer opportunities in both Douglas and Pope Counties. |
BE AN ADVOCATE
Forward this eNewsletter
|
You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people.
|
|
UNITED WAY SPECIAL EVENTS |
| Coat Collection
October 1-14th Warm Winter Outerwear is being collected at the following locations:
Alexandria: Bremer Bank, Gate City Bank, Geneva Capital, Glenwood State Bank, KSAX-TV, Pete's County Market, Simonson Lumber, State Bank & Trust, United Way and US Bank
Glenwood: Eagle Bank, Glenwood State Bank and Tom's Food Pride
Starbuck: Bremer Bank and Tom's Food Pride
click to print poster
Coat Distribution October 15th & 16th
Thurs. 11-7:00 pm
St. Mary's School Gym, Alexandria
Fri. 11-7:00 pm
Glenwood Lutheran Church, Glenwood
St. Paddy's Day Concert
October 17th Sat. 7:30 pm
AAAA
Irish music festival featuring Mikko Cowdery and friends for a great time benefiting a great cause - Tickets are $15 at the AAAA Theatre box office
Mobile Food Drop October 29th
Thurs. 12-3:00 pm
New Life Christian Church
1910 Hwy 27 E, Alexandria
Bring box and bags
|
|
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT |
Karena Couillard
Karena has been volunteering at the United Way for the past 3 months. She's helped with campaign mailings, chili feed, silent auction, coat drive, Project Community Connect, Mobile Food Drop and LAVA Volunteer Fair.
A busy mother of 5 children, she enjoys teaching genealogy, church, crafts, sewing and being with her kids.
It's important to her to give back to her community. Volunteering allows her to do just that. She also wants to teach her children the value of volunteering and often brings them along to help.
Thank you Karena! |
Underneath everything we are,
Underneath everything we do.
Connected, interdependent, united.
And when we reach out a hand to one,
We influence the condition of all.
That's what it means to
LIVE UNITED |
|
| WHAT YOUR MONEY BUYS |
$1 per week will provide a backpack full of school supplies to a needy child
$5 per week will provide a book each month for a year to 9 underprivileged children in our community
$10 per week will provide 10,000 pounds (yes, that is 5 tons) of food to needy families in Douglas & Pope Counties. | |
|
|
