On Wednesday, August 6, United Way Virginia Highlands and United Way of Southwest Virginia announced that, effective July 31, the two have merged to form a single, broader-reaching regional organization. The combined organization will operate as the United Way of Southwest Virginia. The regional service area will now include Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wise counties, as well as the cities of Galax and Norton.

Travis Staton, President and CEO of the former United Way Virginia Highlands, will remain President and CEO of the merged organization. The merger was led by a team comprised of staff and board members of each United Way organization, who spent months working out details of the merger.

“We know that by combining resources, expertise, and experience, United Way of Southwest Virginia will be a stronger organization better equipped to address the needs of our communities throughout the region,” said Alan Jones, Jr., United Way of Southwest Virginia Board Chairman and Alpha Natural Resources Senior Vice President and Controller. “The combined organization’s increased scale will enhance our ability to advocate for Southwest Virginia on issues facing the region as well as to attract new sources of funding from donors interested in wider geographic programs that serve more people and influence greater social change.”

During the announcement, officials stated that the new organization will continue to focus on needs of local communities and will maintain a local presence.

“This merger of the United Way chapters will be great for our neighbors and families in Southwest Virginia. Adding the substantial resources and expertise of United Way Virginia Highlands while maintaining an employee and office in the Dickenson, Scott, Wise and Norton area, will allow our citizens to realize a much greater, overall positive community impact,” says Dan Minahan, United Way of Southwest Virginia Board Member, former UWSWVA Chair.

United Way of Southwest Virginia will remain wholly committed to the primary goal of improving quality of life by focusing on the areas of education, income, and health for the communities it serves. The fundamental activities within each community, such as local fundraising and allocation will remain unchanged. Money raised locally will continue to be applied locally, as will allocation decision-making. Volunteers in each locality will determine where funding should be invested, based upon the priority needs of each community.

Newsletter | Summer 2014

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United Way of Southwest Virginia proudly serves Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington & Wise Counties and the Cities of Galax & Norton

UNITED WAY’S MERGE TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL IMPACT by Leah Farmer, Marketing and Communications Manager

Chairman: Alan Jones, Alpha Natural Resources

Vice-Chairwoman: Deb Icenhour, Town of Abingdon

Treasurer: Barbara Farmer, Pleasant View UMC

Secretary: Mary Begley, AEP

Samantha Archer, Mountain States Health Alliance

Larry Bolt, Grayson CountyMarie Appleby Breimann, TruPoint BankTommy Casteel, Virginia Department of

Social ServicesLori Crisp, Norton Community HospitalL.V. Pokey Harris, Washington County

Emergency Management ServicesHenry Hartsock, Eastman Chemical

CompanyFranklin Jett, Mt. Rogers Community

Services BoardSteve Kegley, Berry Enterprises

Donnie Meadows, Food CityDan Minahan, Crutchfield CompanyRon Passmore, Galax/Grayson EMS

Audrey Powers, BB&TBrad Robinson, New People’s BankDr. Mike Robinson, Smyth County

School BoardBurke Vander Lind, Alpha Natural

Resources

UNITED WAY BOARD MEMBERS

Dan Minahan, United Way of Southwest Virginia Board Member

The five Smart Beginnings coalitions of Southwest Virginia and the New River Valley shared in the acceptance one of the first Trailblazer Awards presented at the Southwest 2020 Summit, held this May 29th in Abingdon. The Trailblazer Awards were given to organizations which have made strides toward creating community-wide responses to community issues. And Smart Beginnings coalitions in Southwest Virginia exemplify that approach by bringing together many sectors of the community. Indeed, Smart Beginnings works to improve conditions for young children include people from businesses, non-profits, local government, childcare providers, schools, and faith based organizations…and just plain people who care about children!

SMART BEGINNINGS NAMED TRAILBLAZER AT SUMMIT

On Thursday, June 19, 2014, United Way, along with the Smyth County Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) and the Saltville Playground Council, joined with volunteers to build a new playground in Saltville, Virginia. Over 100 volunteers participated in the build day, which was the result of months of dedicated planning and preparation by the community and project partners.

Preparations for the Saltville playground build kicked off in April with the announcement of a $15,000 grant from Washington D.C. based nonprofit KaBOOM! and $61,335 “Walking and Playing through the Ages” grant from the

Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. The “dream playground” the community envisioned has finally

come to fruition. The new playground features an age appropriate playground for 2-5 year olds, a playground area for 5-12 year olds, a set of swings as well as a picnic area.

“Playing outside is a vital part of childhood that helps children develop physical strength, coordination and balance,” says United Way CEO, Travis Staton. “Our focus is on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. It’s important to emphasize healthy habits to our children at an early age; we believe this playground is a big piece in the puzzle of our community.”

The three day process began with volunteers prepping the site and materials for project construction. Volunteers began arriving early morning and worked in teams to accomplish everything from assembling the swing set to mixing cement while youth under the age of 10 gathered for children’s activities hosted by the Saltville Public Library.

“The project was about creating a safe place for children in our community to play,” says Saltville Playground Build project lead, Christina Gilley. “The purpose of the playground is to provide a safe, family-friendly environment where families can learn and exercise together.” Future plans for the playground included trail kiosks and a Born Learning Trail. To see photos from the event, visit unitedwayswva.org.

UNITED WAY BREAKS GROUND ON SALTVILLE PLAYGROUNDby Angie Sproles, Director of Community Impact

by Buckey Boone, Smart Beginnings SWVA Regional Director

On Tuesday, July 29th, United Way and Smart Beginnings Virginia Highlands combined efforts to provide a day of service to the Grundy Head Start in Grundy, VA. 15 volunteers from the Buchanan County DSS VIEW program and the Family Preservation Program were recruited to do a day of clean up to the Head Start’s facility. Projects such as pressure washing, clearing the fence row, and cleaning up playground equipment were completed to prepare the site for children returning to school.

2014 GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER

BUCHANAN COUNTY DAY OF ACTION

Smart Beginnings coalitions with Lt. Governor Ralph Northam

Want to view all the photos from the Saltville Playground build or the Buchanan County

Day of Action? Visit our photo gallery at unitedwayswva.org or scan the QR code!

Scan the QR code to check out the event flyer! To register or

become a sponsor, email SBVH Program Director, Danielle Starnes at, dstarnes@unitedwayswva.com or call 276-628-2160 ext. 4013.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 20148:00 a.m. Check-in9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

• Early Bird Registration (Before Sept. 1): $65/player or $260/team

• Regular Registration (On or after Sept. 1): $75/player or $300/team

• Late Registration (After Oct. 1): $80/player or $320/team

The five Smart Beginnings coalitions of Southwest Virginia and the New River Valley shared in the acceptance one of the first Trailblazer Awards presented at the Southwest 2020 Summit, held this May 29th in Abingdon. The Trailblazer Awards were given to organizations which have made strides toward creating community-wide responses to community issues. And Smart Beginnings coalitions in Southwest Virginia exemplify that approach by bringing together many sectors of the community. Indeed, Smart Beginnings works to improve conditions for young children include people from businesses, non-profits, local government, childcare providers, schools, and faith based organizations…and just plain people who care about children!

2014 CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Twin County Regional Healthcare and Wells Fargo sponsored the first CEO Breakfast for the Twin County Region on May 15th. More than 40 community stakeholders representing sixteen companies were in attendance to hear about United Way’s vision, along with other guest speakers Edward Spivey, Facility Manager at Mohawk Industries in Hillsville, and Sara Jo Jones, Carroll County 4-H Coordinator. Twin County Regional Healthcare, Vaughan-Bassett Furniture, and Guardian Industries used the opportunity to announce Pace Setter campaigns for the 2014 campaign season. Check out other photos from the event on our website at unitedwayswva.org!

come to fruition. The new playground features an age appropriate playground for 2-5 year olds, a playground area for 5-12 year olds, a set of swings as well as a picnic area.

“Playing outside is a vital part of childhood that helps children develop physical strength, coordination and balance,” says United Way CEO, Travis Staton. “Our focus is on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. It’s important to emphasize healthy habits to our children at an early age; we believe this playground is a big piece in the puzzle of our community.”

The three day process began with volunteers prepping the site and materials for project construction. Volunteers began arriving early morning and worked in teams to accomplish everything from assembling the swing set to mixing cement while youth under the age of 10 gathered for children’s activities hosted by the Saltville Public Library.

“The project was about creating a safe place for children in our community to play,” says Saltville Playground Build project lead, Christina Gilley. “The purpose of the playground is to provide a safe, family-friendly environment where families can learn and exercise together.” Future plans for the playground included trail kiosks and a Born Learning Trail. To see photos from the event, visit unitedwayswva.org.

UNITED WAY BREAKS GROUND ON SALTVILLE PLAYGROUND

UNITED WAY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ANNOUNCED

by Crystal Breeding & Chris Brown, Resource Development Managers

by Angie Sproles, Director of Community Impact

After months of collecting items, the Town of Abingdon set up their annual yard sale during Kiwanis’s Plumb Alley Day on May 24th. Every item imaginable was up for sale ranging from clothes, costumes, home décor and much more. As always, people were lining up and waiting to shop, hoping for the best deals possible along Plumb Alley at the Administration Building. Overall, the yard sale brought in nearly $3,000 and the proceeds from the event go to United Way. To learn how you can do a fundraiser for United Way, contact Alison Hicks, Director of Resource Development at ahicks@unitedwayswva.org.Left to Right: Tenille Montgomery, Vickye Hall, Kim Kingsley,

Tonya Triplett, Cecile Rosenbaum, and Deb Icenhour Smart Beginnings coalitions with Lt. Governor Ralph Northam

Twin County Community stakeholders listening to Jon Applebaum, CEO Twin County Regional Hospital speak.

United Way is pleased to present our community partners. Through multiple committee meetings and review panels, 54 agencies providing 90 distinct programs were selected for funding. Selected agencies provide basic need services such as food, financial assistance for utilities, and for emergency situations caused by fires, floods or other natural disasters or community impact services where focus is placed on changing systemic issues in our region that will lead to improved living conditions for the entire community.

Education program initiatives include early childhood education and development, early reading and tutoring programs, post-secondary enrollment and career readiness programs. Income initiatives include money management classes intended to help people better manage scarce resources. Health initiatives include family nutrition and physical activity education designed to develop healthy habits. Each of the community impact grants have performance goals that will be measureable and demonstrate effectiveness. United Way’s community partners are as follows:

in Margaritaland

STUART GOVERNOR’S MANSIONLEBANON, VIRGINIA

OCTOBER 18, 20146:00 P.M. AT THE

TICKETS $50 Dinner and a variety of beverages included!

*For tickets, visit the Russell County Chamber, TruPoint Bank (Lebanon),

State Farm (Lebanon) or United Way of Southwest Virginia.

Tickets are limited!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PARROTHEAD - $5002 Tickets, large logo placement &

event recognition

RUM RUNNER - $250Logo placement & event recognition

PIÑA COLADA- $100Name listing & event recognition

*Sponsors underwrite the cost of event & ensure 100% of ticket sales

go to Backpacks Unite

100% of all proceeds benefit

supporting more than 200 children in Russell County

BACKPACKS

unite

Virginia Highlands

Rum RunnerSponsor:

Parrothead Sponsors:

RUSSELL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSExcellence Through Education

Appalachian Community ActionAppalachian Independence CenterAmerican Red Cross - Mountain EmpireBackpacks UniteBig Stone Gap District UMCBland County 4-HBland Ministry CenterBlue Ridge Mtn. Council Boy ScoutsBread of LifeChildren’s Advocacy CenterCarroll County 4-HClinch River Health ServicesClinch Valley Community ActionCommonwealth Catholic CharitiesDickenson County DREAM TeamDungannon Development CommissionEcumenical Faith in Action

Family Crisis Support ServicesFamily Resource CenterFriends in Need Heath CenterGoodwill IndustriesGrayson County 4-HThe Health WagonHighlands Educational Literacy ProgramHelping Overcome Poverty’s ExistenceHope House of Scott CountyImagination Library Russell Co.Imagination Library Washington Co.Lions Eye ClinicLoaves and FishesLonesome Pine Office on YouthMel Leamon Free ClinicMountain CAPMountain Empire Older Citizens

Mountain Region Speech and HearingOccupational Enterprises, Inc. Project CrossroadsRooftop of VirginiaS.C.A.L.EScott County Fire Fighters Assoc.Sequoyah Council Boy ScoutsSmart BeginningsSmyth County 4-HSmyth County Special GamesSWVA Legal AidVirginia Highlands Comm. CollegeWashington County 4-HWise County Food BankDept. of Social Services Regional Disaster Fund

Newsletter | Summer 2014

ABINGDON OFFICE:1096 Ole Berry Drive, Suite 200Abingdon, VA 24210Ph: (276)-628-2160Fax: (276)-628-8484unitedwayswva.org

GALAX OFFICE:121 West Grayson St.Galax, VA 24333Ph: (276)-236-9070Fax: (276)-628-8484unitedwayswva.org

NORTON OFFICE:616 Park Ave, NWNorton, VA 24273276-628-2160unitedwayswva.org

MAILING ADDRESS:P.O. Box 644Abingdon, VA 24212

CORPORATE PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

CHALLENGE TO CHANGE: A UNITED WAY SUCCESS STORYA single mother in her early forties, Lou had always been a hard worker; she paid her way through college and found professional employment. Life did present some challenges, such as her daughter’s illness, which required several trips to University of Virginia Medical Center and surgery. Lou has good insurance, but didn’t expect to find herself on medical leave after having two heart attacks in five years. Although her insurance includes short term disability, Lou had not planned on both she and her daughter being ill at the same time. That’s when Lou came to Faith in Action, a community partner of United Way Southwest Virginia. Lou was one

of the first Ecumenical Faith in Action clients to attend a Faith in Action financial literacy class. Faith in Action provided funds for temporary housing in Charlottesville and transportation, but their help did not stop with just temporary financial assistance. Lou attended a class taught by a retired insurance executive and funded by United Way. There she learned about having a rainy day fund, avoiding impulse spending, dangers of credit card debt, and saving a portion of her tax refund. Also, she received Faith in Action’s budget kit with “The Household Money Organizer” that includes: tracking what you spend, keeping track of bills, personal budget, 30 ways to save while you spend, and control of your finances. Lou will return to work soon, equipped with how to manage her own finances thanks to the support of United Way Southwest Virginia and community partners like Faith in Action.

Faith in Action’s Financial Literacy Class

Faith in Action’s Budget Kit provided to participants of the Financial Literacy Class made possible by United Way