2009 News Stories
Fourth Quarter '09 Newsletter Available
Check out the latest edition (.pdf) of your local United Way's newsletter.
Learn More about Community Impact
For most of its history, United Ways worked to improve lives by mobilizing the financial resources of businesses, individuals and foundations in support of direct service programs—the foundation of our work, now and into the future. However, despite the money raised and all the services provided, many problems in our community continued and some even grew worse. Read more.
Data Project Report and Data Report Summary Available Online
The Mat-Su Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (MSAPC) completed its first data project in April 2009.The data project was planned by the Data Committee and conducted by the Co-Occurring Disorders Institute (CODI) through a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Read more in the Data Report Summary (.pdf) and the Data Project Report (.pdf).
Media Release - United Way of Mat-Su Impact Councils Explore Issues and Needs
A community cannot be built by agencies or government or other outside entities. It must be born, developed, nurtured and sustained from within the community by the individuals, families, associations and institutions who live and work there. Read more here. (.doc)
FamilyWize Prescription Drug Savings Card Program
The FamilyWize prescription program card can help families and individuals stay healthy and stretch their income when times are tight. United Way of Mat-Su is promoting the FamilyWize program throughout the Valley, which offers discounts at many Mat-Su pharmacies, with savings averaging from 20%-35% per prescription. Click here to learn more, print a card and start saving. (.pdf)
Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award 2009
United Way of Mat-Su established the Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award in 1992 to honor the memory of Dorothy Jones, a foremost community leader whose dedicated service helped to improve the quality of life for Mat-Su residents. To the end of her life, Dorothy served on the United Way of Mat-Su Board of Directors in addition to her many other areas of service.
Nominations for the 2009 Volunteer of the Year were accepted through February 15, 2010. Awards luncheon will be held March 16, 2010 at the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Please document the volunteer contributions made by the nominee, using no more than two pages, but no less than one page. Include the name(s) of organizations served, date(s) of service, and a narrative statement describing how the nominee’s volunteerism has helped to improve the quality of life for Mat-Su residents.
Attach all pages to the nomination form and return via fax 907 376-0635, or e-mail lrothermel@unitedwaymatsu.org Please note that nominations will only be accepted in the format described and only when accompanied by the Nomination Form (2.6MB .doc).
If you need any other information
please contact Linzi at 907-373 5802.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO NOMINATE A WONDERFUL MAT-SU VALLEY VOLUNTEER!
Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast 2009
On Thursday, September 10, 2009, over 80 United Way of Mat-Su VIP’s came together to share breakfast and Kick-Off the 2009 Campaign. Our event was graciously sponsored by ConocoPhillips.
Dr. Susan McCauley, United Way of Mat-Su Board President welcomed our guests and thanked ConocoPhillips for their event sponsorship and BP for their co-sponsorship of the campaign video. We heard from Mary Gibbs, Director of Philanthropy and Community Services for Conoco; Karen Cowart from BP’s Philanthropy group and MTA’s Kristy Bernier, Community Relations Specialist. Stephanie Allen, Executive Director and Natasha Pineda, Community Impact Director shared information about United Way’s change to the Community Impact Model (see article below). Mark Lackey, CCS Early Learning Executive Director and Best Beginnings Board Chair shared an inspiring story about the work CCS does in our community and their long standing relationship with United Way which he believes will only grow under the new business model of community impact.
Linzi Rothermel, Resource Development Director, reintroduced the guests to GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER and then introduced three new team members who would also be helping with this year’s campaign, EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH. The skit was fun and informative and the actors did a great job. We would like to thank, Kelly Larson - Valley Performing Arts, Rick Allen –DA, Pat Purcell – United Way of Mat-Su Board member, Natasha Pineda – Community Impact Director, Jennifer Burkmire – ED, The Children’s Place and Kerry Aguirre – United Way of Mat-Su Board member.
The premiere viewing of the 2009 campaign video, co-sponsored by Stage 2 Studios and written and directed by John Conn of Stage 2, who joined United Way as a Board Member in 2009, was a huge success. You can view the video, The Best of Times, on our website www.unitedwaymatsu.org.
The breakfast was a great start to what we hope will be another wonderful campaign. In 2008 when negative news about the economy first surfaced we were nervous about the campaign. We should have known our community would come together in a time of greater need and we raised more money and logged more volunteer hours than ever before. THANK YOU! We need your help again this year, so please contact us if you are not having a workplace campaign and would like to have one or donate – Tel: 907 373-5802 or lrothermel@unitedwaymatsu.org.
H1N1 Shot Clinic
The Palmer Senior Center will host an H1N1 Shot Clinic, Wednesday, December 30th from 8:30am to 11:30am at the Palmer Senior Center. This clinic is open to the public. For additional information contact the Palmer Senior Center at 907-745-5454.
Third Quarter '09 Newsletter Available
Check out the latest edition (.pdf) of your local United Way's newsletter.
Second Quarter '09 Newsletter Available
Check out the latest edition (.pdf) of your local United Way's newsletter.
Business Model Focused On Community Impact
United Ways across the nation are working with their communities to identify and address the community’s most pressing concerns. In August of 2008, the Board of Directors of United Way of Mat Su, officially adopted a new business model focused on Community Impact. This is a new comprehensive community-wide focus to advance the common good in the Mat-Su Borough, by creating long-lasting positive changes to address the underlying cause of community problems. From a strategic standpoint, this model will include three tactics necessary for success: system change, advocacy, and program investment. To encourage community involvement, United Way is committed to providing opportunities in each of these areas. Read more here.
Day of Caring a Sunny Success!
More than 60 volunteers from 11 businesses helped 10 non-profits on May 20th. The great weather made, painting, raking, digging, clothes sorting, musk ox baby-sitting and recycling much more fun! One volunteer said, “It was a wonderful opportunity to give back to my community, it made me feel great!” Read more in the recent article published in the Frontiersman.
See landscaping transformed by using donated shrubs and volunteer woman-power!
The Children's Place Issues "Thank You" to Day of Caring Volunteers & Sponsors
Read the letter here.
Mat-Su Boys & Girls Club Issues "Thank You" to Target "Day of Action" Volunteers and Donors
Special Thanks to the 66 Target “Day of Action” volunteers and community members who gave donations of labor and material and a Saturday morning to the Mat-Su Boys & Girls Club. The work you performed revitalized the Clubhouse. Your generosity helps us continue to provide a positive place for Mat-Su youth. Read Full Release (65KB PDF)
DAY OF CARING! VOLUNTEER! WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH, 2009
What a fantastic opportunity to LIVE UNITED by volunteering for an hour or two or a day on May 20th in the Valley.
Numerous non-profits need help with projects from CCS, Early Learning playgrounds, painting at the Children’s Place, lots of organization at the Recycling Center to helping out at the Musk Ox Farm.
Gather your family, friends, neighbors and workmates and have a blast helping your community. It makes you feel GREEAAAT!
Flyers you can print & post general (.doc 87KB) and for employers (.doc 86KB)
CONTACT: Linzi at lrothermel@unitedwaymatsu.org or call 907-373-5802
First Quarter '09 Newsletter Available
Check out the latest edition (.pdf) of your local United Way's newsletter.
February 11 declared "211 Day" by Mayor Menard
Before his recent passing, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Curt Menard declared 2-11-2009 as "211 Day" to bring awareness to Alaska's health and human services information and referral system. The 211 program is a service of Alaska's United Ways. Read the entire proclamation.
