United Way Brand Forum

Greeting from warm (if not sunny) Jacksonville, Florida. I'm here for the annual Marketing professionals' gathering (although there are plenty of folks from every aspect of the UW world).

It's been a great experience. The are sharing the LIVE UNITED campaign, and emphisizing to us that this isn't just a tagline - it's a way of life. It's a way of explaining our new focus on these three areas: education, income and health.

The welcome reception last night was held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, home of the NFL's Jaguars, hosted by Publix Supermarkets and Jaguars' owners Wayne and Delores Weaver. I got the chance to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Weaver for a few moments and they are just the most delightful and down-to-earth people. They've made four separate $1 million gifts to the local United Way since coming to Jacksonville with the team in 1993. Very impressive.

Today's first presentation was by Bill Toliver, Managing Director of The Matale Line. To say he was inspiring is to understate his presentation. He spoke on 'The Moral Obligations of a 'Movement Leader,' and he told us that our country is hungry for change and hungry for a leader. 'If non United Way, then who will it be?'

He encouraged us to find the right leaders in our community, discover how many of them we need to reach the tipping point, and decide what sort of commitment are we asking of them (and it needs to be more than just financial).

One other comment I want to share with you. Alex Sanchez of United Way of America was commenting on creating champions for change and told the story of Wendy's founder Dave Thomas. As he was looking for investors in his fledgling chain, occasionally he would find himself discouraged. Whenever that happened, Dave would go into a Wendy's, and order a meal. As he ate his hamburger, Dave would say to himself, 'this is a great product. If I can't sell this, I need to find another line of work.'

The same goes for those of us in the United Way movement. If we can't sell this great work that we do, we need to find another thing to do.

UPS company, employees and retirees are #1 nationally, pledging nearly $61 million to strengthen local communities through United Way

For the eighth consecutive year, UPS, its employees and retirees delivered record-breaking contributions and are once again United Way’s top national contributor, pledging $60.8 million during the 2007 United Way campaign for continuing support of those in need. In the 26 years UPS has supported United Way, the company and its employees have donated an astonishing $872 million.

“When Jim Casey started UPS in 1907, he established a company-wide passion for philanthropy and care for the communities that UPS delivers to on a regular basis,” said UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis. “In celebration of our centennial, we donated more hours and gave more money than ever before to United Way, honoring our roots and the thousands of communities UPS has touched over the past 100 years. We are so proud to have helped enrich the lives of others through our strong partnership with United Way.”

In addition, more than 246,000 UPS employees volunteered more than 960,000 hours of service worldwide in 2007 through the company’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor volunteer program and Global Volunteer Week. UPSers helped local communities by repairing schools, reading to children, landscaping for local organizations, assisting food banks and much more. UPS also donated loaned executives to several local United Way affiliates across the country.

UPS was also named the most socially responsible company among all companies in FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired” survey and was one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens in Business Ethics magazine.

While the local figures are still being finalized, UPS Area Sales Manager Mark Cherryholmes said all indications are that giving to United Way of Summit County by UPS employees in this region are also up.

“The 26 year partnership between UPS and United Way of America has impacted countless families and communities nationwide,” said Cherryholmes. “United Way provides a seamless, efficient conduit to funnel funds and volunteers to those agencies that need them most. UPS and its employees are committed to supporting the communities we serve every day. I am proud to work for a company with a culture of philanthropy and honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Summit County.”

According to United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski, “We are so fortunate to have the generous employees of UPS supporting our community through United Way. Their employees’ philanthropy goes far beyond the financial. UPS employees participate every year in our Day of Caring volunteer event, and Mark Cherryholmes provides his time and expertise as a member of our Board of Trustees.”

“We’re very proud of our partnership with UPS,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America. “Year after year, through generous gifts and significant volunteer time, UPS and its employees demonstrate a commitment to community that is second to none. In addition to being a world-class global leader in business, UPS also understands the ability of philanthropy to create success, realize positive sustainable change and ultimately improve lives.”

More than 246,000 UPS employees participated in the 2007 United Way campaign, contributing more than $52.8 million with contributions still coming in. The company matched those donations with an additional $8 million through The UPS Foundation. Overall, this is a $1 million increase over their 2006 campaign contributions and a 3% increase over goal.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or write us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect Street, P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Hot soup is cure for cold at Lock 3 Park

By Betty O'Neill-Roderick Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Monday, Jan 21, 2008
Sunday's freezing cold was perfect weather for soup and the Soup-er Bowl at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. It drew several hundred hardy people who warmed up with hot soup from area restaurants.

Nicole Read of Akron's Community Events office chaired the fundraiser for the United Way of Summit County. Cindy Hartline and Sarah Scovall greeted guests and explained how they could vote for their favorite soup.

United Way President Bob Kulinski prepared his special ''Dragon Breath Chili'' for the event. Sandy Auburn sampled Chin's Hot'n Sour Soup, while her husband, Mark, liked the chicken pot-pie soup from Ido Bar & Grill. Aladdin's Eatery offered nine different vegetables in its V9 soup, while the Barley House brought its traditional favorite, chicken noodle soup.

The Diamond Deli served wild rice, corn and sausage soup; Ivan's, chili and mushroom barley soup; Kevin O'Bryan's, twice-baked potato soup; and the Lockview Restaurant, Italian wedding soup. Mike Gaffney recommended Panera Bread's cheddar broccoli soup, which was served in a sourdough roll.

Soup samplers included Steve and Carmie Smith, Pauline Persons, Jim and Hazel Dunderdale, Vernon and Barbara Sykes, and Katie Rennard.

Thomas Glen Hoffman, 2, enjoyed the event with his grandparents, Glen and Joellen Hoffman, and his aunt, Elizabeth Hoffman.

Adrienne Griffith braved the cold for a few spins on the outdoor ice rink. Mike Caprez said the rink will be open today for skating and then Thursday through Sunday until Feb. 3, with a Broomball Extravaganza at 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tracie and Jerry D'Antonio brought their nephew, Alex, and nieces, Amanda and Noelle Smigel to sample soup and visit the adjacent Marble Museum. Joyce Lagios invited everyone to try their luck at the WQMX prize booth. Barb Stewart gave the wheel a spin and won a beach bag; Billy David, a piggy bank for his grandson. It was a lucky day for Cheryl and Bryce Williams, each of whom won twice. Jen Blatt and Dina Younis distributed prizes.

Homeless situation is stable at Akron shelters

United Way of Summit officials don't see need for extra space at winter
By Bill Lilley Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Jan 11, 2008

A meeting at the United Way of Summit County to address the Akron area's homeless situation left organizers believing the problem is not as dramatic as initially thought.

Questions about the size of the problem were raised Dec. 7 at a meeting of nearly 50 area social agency leaders.

''We came to realize that a lot of the people could be repeat numbers — they go from shelter to shelter to shelter when they are turned down for whatever reason,'' said Michael Gaffney, vice president of marketing for United Way of Summit County.

''That led to the conclusion that while there may be a slight increase in the number of people seeking shelter in the area,'' Gaffney said, ''it's not so extraordinary that we need to look to come up with a similar solution to Ocasek Garage Shelter 15 years ago.''

Gaffney said the six leaders of area shelters who attended Wednesday's smaller meeting (20 leaders of area social agencies) will put together information among themselves and then analyze the data to come up with ''true statistics about the homeless problem in the Akron area.''

''There was a lot of progress made,'' said Lois Foster, vice president of community investment for United Way of Summit County.

At that point, which is expected to be before the end of January, another meeting will be scheduled to include all of the leaders of area social agencies that want to be involved.

''One thing that we know is different now than 15 years ago is the number of families — women with children — seeking shelter has increased,'' Gaffney said. ''It's definitely not just single men who are in need and seeking shelter today.

''I think the consensus was that at this point, especially with the great weather we've had lately, there is enough shelter to serve most of the people who seek it.

''That could all change if there is an extreme change in the weather . . . Even the die-hards who normally don't want to come in look for shelter at that point,'' Gaffney said.

Gaffney said the recent record-high temperatures in Akron have been a blessing. But he recognizes that winter is far from over.

''The fact that we're looking into the problem now could help later this winter and definitely will help us get better prepared to handle this problem even better next winter,'' Gaffney said.

''Unfortunately, this problem simply won't go away.''

Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.

CITY OF AKRON SPONSORS ‘SOUP-ER BOWL’ TO BENEFIT UNITED WAY

Who makes the best soup in Akron? The City of Akron is seeking to answer that question by sponsoring the ‘Soup-er Bowl – Soup Throwdown’ on Sunday, January 20, 2008, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm at Lock 3 Park in Downtown Akron. All proceeds from ‘Soup-er Bowl’ will benefit United Way of Summit County.

For the $5 admission charge you get 5 tickets. A 4 oz. sample of soup costs just one ticket or get an 8 oz. bowl for just three tickets.

The participating restaurants are: Aladdin’s Eatery, Diamond Deli, Kevin O’Bryan’s, Barley House, Ido Bar & Grill, Lockview, Chin’s Place, Ivan’s Deli & Catering and Panera Bread. In addition, United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski will be offering his special ‘Bob’s Dragon Breath Chili.’

Kulinski said, "We are grateful to Mayor Plusquellic and the City of Akron for including United Way as the beneficiary of this first Soup-er Bowl event. Lock 3 has become an all season gathering point for families and friends, and the Soup-er Bowl promises to be another in a long series of events that bring people to downtown Akron to celebrate our community and all the attractions it has to offer. Buy some soup and help United Way of Summit County make a real difference in people's lives year round."

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Funding Available Through United Way For Programs in Two Priority Areas

United Way of Summit County has set aside a portion of undesignated and unrestricted revenue to for distribution through an open Request for Proposal process. The organization seeks proposals for grant funding that address the following priority service areas: Economic (Financial) Stability for Families and School Readiness Children.

United Way of Summit County commissioned the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research to analyze a number of recent community research sources and to identify high priority community issues that United Way could target for increased resources and community awareness efforts to improve these conditions through positive and documented outcomes.

The research sources included the Thriving Communities Needs Assessment, a partnership including United Way of Summit County, The Akron Community Foundation, and the University of Akron; the Summit County 2010 Quality of Life report; Voices and Choices recommendations; INFOLINE requests for services; The University of Akron Summit Poll, and others.

A variety of recommendations have been under review for nearly a year, and the United Way Community Impact Cabinet recommended these two priority areas to United Way of Summit County’s Board of Trustees.

Organizations submitting proposals must:
* Provide service in Summit County
* Be tax exempt 501-C-3 health or human service organization in existence for at least three (3) years (Provide IRS determination letter)
* Be licensed by/registered with the State Attorney General as a charitable organization (Provide a copy of license/registration)
* Provide full disclosure of finances (Provide copy of latest financial audit report and IRS Form 990)
* Have a volunteer, representative board of directors/trustees (Provide list of board members and affiliations as applicable)
* Adhere to a policy and practice of non-discrimination in the provision of services (Provide policy statement)
* Certify conformity with the United States Patriot Act for receipt of funding
* Be a contributing organization to the United Way of Summit County fundraising campaign and agree to conduct employee campaign, if awarded grant
* Attend training for online submission of proposal if selected to do so following Letter of Intent
* Have computer access to submit full proposal online
* Submit requested documents as labeled attachments with the Letter of Intent

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The goal of the Economic Stability for Families priority area is to have families that are able to obtain and maintain employment and manage personal resources independent of public assistance. The goal of the School Readiness for Children priority area is to have children enter Kindergarten ready to succeed. Any proposal submitted must address one priority area.

A Letter of Intent to respond to the Request for Proposal must be received at United Way of Summit County’s offices (90 N. Prospect Street, Akron, OH 44304) by 4:30 pm, on Thursday, January 31, 2008.

To obtain the Letter of Intent form, and all information on the Grant Proposal Application process, call Sue at 330-643-5510. Applications will be accepted only through United Way’s Community Impact Online Data Manager by 4:30 pm, Friday, March 14, 2008.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets. For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.