Thanks to our friends and partners at the Cleveland Browns, we have tickets for this Sunday's Browns/Ravens game. Contact me if you'd like to get some tickets. Weather is supposed to be tolerable (upper 40s) so that's no excuse. Go Browns!

Your United Way seeks collaboration to reduce expenses and improve results. Here's our current list: http://ow.ly/7IpdP #liveunited

Volunteers are needed during the holidays and all year round. The Volunteer Center can match you with the right opportunities. http://ow.ly/7Hu7I

Congratulations to UWSC Board member Christine Mayer on her new role at GAR Foundation. http://ow.ly/7GYDG

We have much for which to be thankful - living in a community filled with generous people who understand what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Don't forget to check out the United Way Halftime show during Thursday's Lions-Packers game. Plus, it'll probably be a GREAT game! http://ow.ly/7CX9K

Thanks to Michael Starks & the Summit Lake Community Center for their generosity. Many will have a better Thanksgiving because of you. http://ow.ly/7DhbB

Thank you to Leo Johnson for being such a great example on how to LIVE UNITED. Read his heartwarming story here: http://ow.ly/7APrh

United Way is grateful for Nickleback's participation, generosity around halftime performance at Lions' Thanksgiving game. LIVE UNITED http://ow.ly/7APaE

Join United Way and Nickleback on Thanksgiving for the Lions/Packers. Register for a chance to win the trip, meet & greet. http://ow.ly/7xOHn #unitedway

Thanks to Children's Hospital for seeking more potential bone marrow donors. Sign up & you might save someone's life! http://ow.ly/7vrrt

Thanks to Children's Hospital for seeking more potential bone marrow donors. Sign up & you might save someone's life! http://ow.ly/7vrrt

Congratulations to John Blickle, an outstanding businessman, philanthropist and community leader. http://ow.ly/7uCCN

Thank you to all military veterans who sacrificed so much to keep us all safe. Home of the Free, because of the Brave!

Mark your calendars now for the 2nd annual RideUNITED bike event - Cle2Akr4United Way - June 24, 2012. http://ow.ly/7pExn

Before you exercise your right to complain about how things are, you need to perform your responsibility and vote.

United Way works with the Felony Reentry Program to help the thousands of felons returning to Summit County each year. http://ow.ly/7ldAI

Andrea Metzler named Director of Volunteer Center

           Andrea S. Metzler has been named Director of Volunteer Services for United Way of Summit County’s Volunteer Center.

            She comes to United Way of Summit County after serving in several capacities, including most recently as Executive Director, for Cascade Locks Park Association.  Andrea had previously taken on roles with increasing managerial responsibility with Habitat For Humanity of Summit County.

      Bob Kulinski, United Way of Summit County President and CEO, said, “Andrea Metzler is a rising star in the world of Summit County non-profit management, and she’s exactly the right person to continue growing the vital work of our Volunteer Center.  United Way of Summit County works hard to add value to our corporate and workplace donors beyond facilitating the annual fund raising campaign, and the services provided by the volunteer center are some of ways we accomplish that.”

Andrea received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron and a Master’s degree from Regis University.  She lives in Firestone Park with her husband Scott and their two children.

 United Way of Summit County’s Volunteer Center provides essential programs and services at no cost to individuals, non-profit organizations and the business community, such as:

·         Free one-on-one volunteer referral and placement, Done-in-a-Day projects for small groups of employees, and the annual Day of Action, enrolling more than 1,100 volunteers in a wide range of community projects,

·         Planning and execution of Summit County’s only community-wide celebration of volunteerism, coordination of Corporate Volunteer Council activities, and educational training programs and volunteer management workshops,

·         Project Blueprint, which has graduated ten classes of minority men and women who are committed to helping community agencies become more inclusive, responsive and reflective of our culturally diverse community. The program provides training, guidance, placement opportunities and networking related to being on a nonprofit Board,

·         The Neighborhood Leadership Institute partnership, which recently graduated its third class of men and women who have been trained to increase grassroots leadership engagement. Project Blueprint and the Neighborhood Leadership Institute are important components of the leadership development continuum in Summit County,

·         With our Project Blueprint database, our association with community groups such as Torchbearers and Leadership Akron, and our knowledge of community agencies and their volunteer requirements, we help employers access appointments to Boards and committees that may interest their employees.

With today’s economic realities – non-profits seeing greater demand for their services while simultaneously facing shrinking budgets, and business leaders seeking new ways to be engaged in their communities – the value of The Volunteer Center will continue to grow for the people of Summit County.

           United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED.  Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer.  For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, explore our website at www.uwsummit.org, or visit our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

New study disputes Fed's poverty numbers. http://ow.ly/7j712 Whichever figures you believe, there are TOO many people (esp. kids) living in poverty.

Thanks to our good friends at Myers Industries for the great United Way campaign and for sharing the story on their blog: http://ow.ly/7i5OK LIVE UNITED!

United Way makes the community better in the areas of Education, Income & Health - the building blocks to a better life.That's how we LIVE UNITED

Thanks Jewell Cardwell for her coverage of the Docs Who Rock winners. Read all about it here: http://ow.ly/7gwag . Order your DVD - 330-643-5502

Thanks to all the companies running United Way campaigns. You're helping to build a better community and showing all how to LIVE UNITED