INFORMATION UPDATE
"The noblest question in the World today is:
What good may I do in it?"
-Benjamin Franklin |
The United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley expresses appreciation to Valley Health System for assistance with United Way’s web site. INFORMATION UPDATE is a news and information resource for volunteers, agencies and donors.
Campaign 2008: Jim Gaynor, of Grafton School is the 2008 Campaign Chair. Gaynor notes that the campaign team recognizes that increased needs and population changes will require a strong response from United Way and our funded agencies to meet the needs that matter most to the people of our area.
He reported the following leaders for Campaign 2008:
*PROGRAM CHAIRS: Pacesetter Program- Patty Taylor, Frederick County Public Schools; Loaned Executive Program- Julie Spaid, Thermo Fisher; Shenandoah Heritage Society- Mary and Bill Buckner, Community Volunteers; Marketing/Communications- Chuck Peterson, ClearChannel; Day of Caring- Mary and Bill Nordman, VA National Bank/Historic Properties.
*DIVISION CHAIRS: Top Twenty- Reese Jackson, Winchester Medical Center; Major Firms- Brad Ramsey, TV 3; Commerce/Small Business- Rick Brown, Bledsoe Wholesale; Public Service- John Brauer, NW Works, Inc.; Education- Tracy Fitzsimmons, Shenandoah University; Individual Gifts- Mary and Barry Lee Bowser, Community Volunteer/WINC AM-FM; Professionals- Ajay Virmani, Heart & Vascular Institute of Winchester; Special Events- Shweta Adyanthaya, Grafton School; Combined Federal Campaign- Brian Verberg, Dept. of Homeland Security/NPCS; and Development- Elizabeth Smoot, Northern Virginia Daily.
*LOANED AUDITORS: (To be announced at a later date)
*LOANED EXECUTIVES: Julie Spaid, Thermo Fisher- Program Chair; (LE's to be announced at a later date)
Volunteers of the Year 2008: We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Byron A. Brill and Ms. Lyndsey Funkhouser as United Way NSV’s Volunteer and Youth Volunteer of the year. Dr. Brill is a long time volunteer in our area. Dr. Brill has made a positive difference in the lives of many. Lyndsey is a senior at Strasburg High School and plans to pursue a political science and environmental law degree. Lyndsey has been an active volunteer for many organizations and serves as a positive role model for area youth.
The William M. Battaile Community Impact Award: As the first local Chair of the Community Chest-Red Feather campaign in our area, William Battaile established a strong tradition of caring. A special award has been established to carry this tradition forward and to recognize outstanding service by local human care providers. We are pleased to recognize Blue Ridge Hospice as our 2008 Battaile Award winner.
Community Impact Report: The Community Impact report profiles the following issue areas: Abuse and Neglect, Basic Needs, Dependent Care, Health/Mental health and Crime. To view the current Community Impact Report, go to the United Way NSV home page and click on the Community Impact Report link.
Fund Distribution: The United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has completed its review of requests for Community Impact Grants and Member Agency Allocations for 2008-09. A total of $902,330 will be distributed through the 2008-09 Fund Distribution process. ($353,797-Impact Grants, $335,533- Member Agency Allocations; $213,000- Donor Designations to non-member organizations)
United Way distribution volunteers used the “Community Impact” needs assessment to focus on priority service areas including: Abuse and Neglect, food and shelter, health and mental health and building safe communities.
Minda McCabe, United Way Fund Distribution Chair, noted that this year, an increase in donor specified grant funds and City of Winchester human service funds, allows for more inclusiveness in United Way distribution process. 42 agencies applied for funds and requests for grant funds alone totaled over $960,000.
Grant and allocation recipient agencies must meet accountability and outcome standards to be eligible for funding. A Fund Distribution Committee of business and community volunteers, reviewed applicants and focused on high need services. McCabe noted that committee members were particularly concerned about the effect of economic conditions on local families. She noted that United Way will provide needed support to make possible food, shelter and life skill training to help individuals and families struggling to meet their day to day needs. McCabe expressed appreciation to all the businesses, employees and individual donors who made possible this years funding and emphasized that the people served by United Way and its grantees need help this year more than ever.
Rural Health Care Grant: United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley is pleased to be a partner agency in the federal grant awarded recently to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. The three-year grant of $350,000 was one of 25 funded through the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration's Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program. Under the grant, Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) will hire a nurse to provide blood pressure, blood sugar and mental health/substance abuse screenings for in-home care recipients in Shenandoah County. The goal is to improve or maintain the health of chronically ill homebound elderly, lowering health care costs, and enabling seniors to continue living in their own homes for longer periods of time. The Shenandoah Free Clinic will provide case management services helping low-income adults access affordable health and human services. The Clinic will also begin a Volunteer Transportation Service to transport people without a ride to medical appointments. Both the Free Clinic and SAAA, in partnership with Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, will conduct a variety of educational outreach activities for citizens of Shenandoah County. Shenandoah Memorial Hospital will administer the grant. The United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah University School of Pharmacy will coordinate and measure the program results and prepare the evaluation component. Our Health provided the grant writer and assembled the collaborative team of agencies to help area residents access the care they need.
United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley 2007 Finance Manuel: The United Way NSV Finance Committee approved the newly created 2007 Finance Manuel to help guide our policies and procedures.
Valley Today - United Way Friday/ Crossroads- United Way Community Update: Joe Shtulman, United Way President, hosts monthly radio shows on Royal Broadcasting Oldies 95.3 FM and Clear Channel Q102 . The shows highlight local United Way services and activities and provide a guest speaker each month to share information on a specific program. United Way Friday airs on the 4th Friday of the month from12:30 to 1:00 PM. Crossroads airs on the second and third Sundays at 6:00 am.
United Way Endowment: The United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has established an Endowment and Planned Giving Program. The purpose of the endowment is to provide income to increase the effectiveness of the UW, to offset general administrative expenses and to enhance the financial security of the UW. Supporters are urged to consider the United Way in their Wills and Insurance Plans.
Rubbermaid Product Sales: The United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley in partnership with Rubbermaid Commercial products and The Salvation Army provide a monthly product sale. Participating agencies are eligible to receive donated products for fund raising opportunities. Product Sales are held on the last Saturday of each month in Belk's parking lot at the Apple Blossom Mall, Winchester, VA from 8:00 am -12 noon.
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