United Way of Madison County
Celebrating 70 Years of Local Service
REMEMBER TO REMEMBER
THIS YEAR, REMEMBER WHAT WAS DONE FOR YOU, AND REMEMBER TO DO FOR OTHERS
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Here are our headlines this month: (click on a title to read more)
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THANK YOU 2012 CAMPAIGN LEADERS!
We could not have done it without you.
Campaign Leaders on Loan:
Nan Stuart – 2012 Campaign Chair
Stacey Brewer, Redstone Federal Credit Union
Michael Bonds, US Army
Blake Cantrell, Exit Reality of the Valley
Erin Teal Elliot, Mary Kay
Cedric Fuller, Civic Volunteer
Bo Gardner, PPG Aerospace
Sherri Gibson, Comfort Suites
Christy Hall, First Commercial Bank
Chantelle Hawkins, Huntsville Hospital
Jesse Johnson, Civic Volunteer
Michael Kinzer, Progress Bank
Carolyn Lankford, Allstate Insurance
Judy McClellan, HealthGroup of Alabama
Beth Medley, Infinity Technology, Inc
Jay Morris, Regions Bank
Bill Reynolds, Go Value Travel
Anna Rush, Huntsville Health & Rehabilitation
Woldie Selassie, Civic Volunteer
Wolete-Sion Selassie, Civic Volunteer
Barbara Zeitler, Costco
Jay Zuercher, Applied OLAP
Pacesetter Leaders on Loan:
Daniel Kasambira, Pacesetter Chair, Alabama A&M University
Ann Anderson, CASA of Madison County
Katie Thurston, UAHuntsville
Lauren Battle, Allstate Insurance
Blake Cantrell, Exit Reality of the Valley
Drew Chapman, Clowers Wealth Management
Anna Spear, Teledyne Brown Engineering
Division Mentors:
Mary Ramsey
Jeanie Powell
Donna & Tony Palumbo
Daniel Kasambira
Tom Broughton
Cathy Miller
Ann Light
Rob Van Peursem
John Eagan
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Why pay when the United Way can do your taxes for FREE?
Start your New Year off right by saving a few extra bucks! Call United Way today and let us prepare and e-file your taxes for free.
Again, this year, United Way is offering free tax preparation and e-filing for anyone making less than $50k a year or 60 years of age or older. We can save you at least $200 instantly compared to H&R Block and other paid tax services.
If you or someone you know qualifies for our free tax preparation program, do not waste time and money going somewhere else. Our preparers are highly trained and IRS certified. We will do our best to ensure each client receives the largest refund possible based on all IRS rules, laws and regulations.
In these tough economic times, the United Way is providing families with a huge savings. Think of what you can do with the money you save, maybe pay a few extra bills, make needed repairs on your car, or save it for a rainy day.
Starting January 15, 2013, individuals can call United Way of Madison County, (256) 536-0745, and schedule their free appointment from 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday through Firday. You can also click here for more information.
Individuals must bring all their W-2s and other tax documents when they come for their tax appointment. We can e-file your federal and Alabama state tax returns. When you e-file and use direct deposit, you will typically receive your federal refund in as little as 7 business days.
Providing free tax preparation is a part of the United Way's CA$H (Creating, Assets, Savings and Hope) program. The program has partnered again this year with AARP and Impact Alabama to offer free tax preparation in our community.
Last year, the CA$H program assisted 729 families and returned a total of $1.5 million in refunds to clients.
Make an appointment today and let us save you some CA$H.
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Children Initiate "Silver Sandy" Disaster Relief Fund
One quick phone call from a community member (and mother of Haley, a student at Farley Elementary) to a local United Way in north Alabama (Madison County) starts an amazing story.
Her daughter and other students at the school saw the devastation of Sandy on the northeast and very well may have remembered the terrible tornados that hit north Alabama in the spring of 2011. They wanted to do something. After a short conversation, “Silver for Sandy” began and the students were able to collect $671.42. Cathy Miller, Education Impact and Volunteer Programs Coordinator agreed to reach out as a liaison with the United Way of New York City to make sure the dollars went to work for families and children right away.
December 7 was a special day when Haley, her mom and dad, Principal Lathan Strong, and Dr. Cathy Valise, a representative from the Huntsville City Schools district office, were on the Farley Elementary Student News channel to accept a giant check. The funds were whisked off that same day to New York City. Jillian Niesley, Regional Marketing Director for United Way of NYC, sent these kind words:
"We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support that came in from around the globe. However, the story of Farley Elementary School in Huntsville, Alabama has touched our hearts. We are truly grateful for the collective donations from families, faculty and children resulting in $672.41 to support the survivors of Hurricane Sandy.
These donations will go to the support the immediate needs of affected families with supplies like food, diapers, winter coats, medicine and cleaning supplies. In the long-term, your contributions will help to rebuild communities’ homes, schools and playgrounds so that kids like you can get back to normal life.
On behalf of all children and families that you have helped through your gift – Thank you for LIVING UNITED."
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The History of United Way and 2-1-1
United Way of Atlanta was the first to introduce a 2-1-1 service in 1997. Many states began implementation plans soon after, aided by the United Way of America. In July of 2000, the FCC approved 2-1-1 for nationwide use. Alabama was the 4th state in the US to have 2-1-1 services, and for our community, a partnership between Crisis Services of North Alabama (who had an established crisis call center for almost 30 years) and United Way of Madison County was a winning collaboration.
2-1-1 provides information and referral to callers on where to obtain assistance from local and national social service programs, local and national governmental agencies and local and national non-profit organizations. 2-1-1 can also tell you where you can volunteer or make a donation, even after a disaster. Referrals are given to callers from statewide databases accessed by call specialists.
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United Way Volunteer Nominated for Award
Pat Brannen has a heart for children and has been a steady, flexible, and irreplaceable part of our everyday work with young children and their families at United Way for nearly two years. United Way first met Pat when she volunteered as one of the key folks answering phones on the front lines during the April 27 storms. Since then, she has become a regular at the office, and has so far served over 500 volunteer hours. Whether we ask Pat to file, to meet with families, to help with an early childhood screening, or even to answer phones or read stories, she responds with great willingness and always does her best. She always has a smile on her face and is consistent and dependable. Even when she's away from the office, she's thinking about Madison County children and from time to time has donated fun learning tools and toys to our programs. She speaks from personal experience about the work of United Way and is one of our best advocates in the community. We have nominated Pat for the Woody Anderson "I <3 My Community" award, and we need your votes to help her win! To vote, please click here or visit Woody Anderson's Facebook page.
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Pictured is Bo, Leader on Loan from PPG Industries, participating in their trike race. The race is part of their very upbeat workplace campaign to raise dollars for United Way of Madison County and our collaborative partner programs. Thank you so much Bo and PPG Industries for your continued support!
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