Greater Longview United Way

Be a VITA Volunteer!

2012-01-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

2012 is here….and the tax season is around the corner. But some working families in our communities don’t think about tax returns; they are focused on getting the next meal on the table and paying this month’s rent. Wouldn't it be great to help some of these families receive the tax benefits they are due? Unfortunately, many low income families who qualify let federal funds go unclaimed not knowing about the programs, not knowing how to apply, or because they are overwhelmed by the tax preparation process.

You don’t have to be a tax expert to help. Greater Longview United Way offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a successful, proven strategy that mobilizes and trains volunteers to provide free tax service to working individuals and their families. VITA assists taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet by saving them the cost of tax preparation and helping them claim all tax credits for which they are eligible.

In 2011, GLUW VITA volunteers helped return a total of $506,573 to its clients, in tax refunds and in refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child & Dependent Care Tax Credits. Each VITA client saved on tax preparation fees plus fees associated with refund anticipation loans.Behind every return there is a story. Volunteers hear these stories and experience first-hand how they are making a difference every time they volunteer. Greeters, screeners, tax preparers and quality review volunteers appreciate how their specific role contributes to these families’ financial stability. All volunteers receive free training.VITA is central to increasing the number of families who are financially stable and can have a ripple effect into the U.S. economy, as families that receive these funds typically spend them on the necessities of life.

United Way aims to cut by half the number of low-income families who are financially unstable by 2018. Can you think of a better way to spend the tax season this year? Contact us at 903-758-0191 to become a VITA volunteer!

Thanks to our Longview Mayor Jay Dean and all the people involved for LIVING UNITED!

2011-07-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

By Eloisa Herrero

Early this week we received a call in our office informing us that Mayor Jay Dean would implement a program to help - mainly elderly and disabled people - beat the 100-degree weather. Great news for people in need of an air conditioning window unit!

It really caught my attention that several different sectors of the community such as government officials, nonprofit agencies, private companies and Longview residents were mobilized to make this program possible. That is a lot of people LIVING UNITED in Longview!

Mr. Dean mentioned in a news conference that the program was not going to solve the problem completely but it would help about 250 families. I think helping one family to deal with this heat is great, helping 250 families is awesome! Helping one family at the time is all it takes to advance the common good.

If we can beat the heat in Longview, we can beat anything if we LIVE UNITED!

2011 Special Volunteer Recognition

2011-04-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Amy Taylor is Senior Manager – Human Resources for Neiman Marcus. Amy has been a United Way volunteer for more than 10 years. She began volunteering in the Industrial, Communications and Utilities division of the United Way campaign. She has led that division for the past two years and served as a co-chair prior to that. In addition, Amy has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee; and as a member of the Communications Committee, the Leadership Development Committee and a Community Solutions team. Amy is active on the Board of Directors of Longview Child Development Center, LeTourneau Presidential Advisory Committee and the Longview 2020 Board, in addition to her service to GLUW. Amy is a multi-talented and energetic leader for United Way. She has been a tremendous asset to the organization by helping raise funds, assisting in the distribution of funds and ensuring the future of the Greater Longview United Way through her tireless efforts.

What are our Loyal Contributors Saying?

2011-03-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

By Eloisa Herrero

Through the years Greater Longview United Way has raised millions of dollars to change lives in our community. This could not have been possible without the help of our Loyal Contributors. Our Loyal Contributors are a very special group of people who have supported United Way for 10 years or more. Some of them have supported us for more than 25 years!

I would like to share the thoughts of our Loyal Contributors about their supporting United Way through all these years:

We believe in supporting & giving back to Longview. Through giving we receive many blessings. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our city`s non profits. They address so many needs in our community!

United Way is the best way to share locally with several groups at the same time.

I continue giving each year because I believe in the services it`s agencies provide. I am proud to be a part of that team.

We support United Way because lives are changed when hands and hearts are extended into our community.

We give each year to the United Way because it helps us give back to the community that has given so much to us. It`s a very convenient way to support our community and to help very worthwhile community projects.

I became a UW donor when volunteering for organizations that benefited from UW and saw the need for such help.

My husband and I gave through our employer for years. Continued giving even after retirement and his death 10 years ago. I still continue to give. It is a wonderful means of helping so many people.

Supporting community services is how a community grows stronger. As we provide services, individuals become self-sufficient and then can give back themselves to help another group of people. I love how efficiently United Way is run.

I have always contributed each payroll check because I truly believe in helping others in our community thru the many organizations that United Way supports.

Building homes

2011-02-18T09:09:00.000-08:00

By DeWayne Mahurin

I had always wanted to help build a habitat house, but because of my frequent and sometimes unexpected travel, I never was able to commit in advance to being on a crew. However, my wife informed me that the Greater Longview United Way Habitat House Blitz was to take place on January 22, and I was available that day. It was 21 degrees when I left my cozy home, but I would much prefer to work outdoors in that type weather than 100 degree weather. When I arrived, there was a nice roaring fire and bundled up volunteers were everywhere.

I was pleasantly surprised at how organized and easy to understand the layout was concerning the framing of the house. Volunteers caught on quickly and the framing went very fast. Whenever you had a question, an experienced “foreman” was available to keep the construction moving smoothly. The feeling of helping someone, while learning about home construction proved to be very satisfying. I look forward to volunteering on another Habitat House. The low stress of, just show up and work, was very attractive to me. Getting to see the fruits of your labor develop into a structure is cool. If you are looking for a volunteer project I highly recommend Habitat. There is something to do regardless of skill level.

GLUW is getting ready for the tax season.

2010-11-17T12:39:00.000-08:00

By Eloisa Herrero

As you all probably know the tax season begins in February, however, our VITA program begins a little earlier.

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who need some help to prepare their own tax returns. Certified VITA volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in our community.

This program would not be possible without the hard work of many volunteers. Recruiting volunteers is the reason the tax season begins early for us. VITA Volunteers perform different tasks such as preparing federal income tax returns, assisting clients with intake questions or interpreting. Becoming a VITA volunteer is easy and rewarding.

If you would like to become a VITA volunteer, give us a call at 903-236-9211. We would love to share with you the wonderful experience of being a VITA volunteer!!

Carol Sammons shared some comments about her experience as a VITA volunteer last year:

“Working as a volunteer for the 2009 VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, was truly an inspiration for me. This program helps individuals take advantage of the tax credits they are eligible for through out the year. This is Free tax preparation for all who qualifies, yes! This is a totally Free service. Being able to help others during this time of the year was rewarding for me and beneficial for others who are in need of this help. Seeing so many people with appreciation in their hearts was worth it all. This program is just one of many programs sponsored by the GLUW in an effort to reach out and help others in their times of need.”

Why do I volunteer?

2010-09-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

By LaDelle Kay

Why do I volunteer? I ask myself that question occasionally and always come back to the same answer: it is my duty to give back in whatever way I can.

I have been blessed with wonderful mentors in my life. Lessons in giving and volunteering began with a mother who, though possessing little materially, gave what she had to those in our community and to my large family. She taught us that we all have something to give and to give graciously and with generosity. That pattern continued during grade school and high school years and into adulthood as teachers, church leaders, business leaders and community individuals modeled the art of volunteering. It is said that education is the key, and I learned extensively from those caring individuals.

Many opportunities for volunteerism are available that utilize your talents. We all have a chance to make positive lasting changes in lives in our community. I encourage you to get involved in your community, because organizations are waiting with open arms to embrace you as a volunteer.

Woodrow Wilson described volunteerism beautifully:

"We are not merely here to make a living…we are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. We are here to enrich the world, and we impoverish ourselves if we forget the errand."

GIVE. VOLUNTEER. ADVOCATE

How to support youth health and wellness

2010-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

By Eloisa Herrero

Last week, together with our Annual Campaign Kick off, we kicked off our Back to Football Friday Campaign. We encouraged fans of all ages to show their NFL team pride and sign up for a chance to win a trip to the Super Bowl.

I would really like to emphasize that the main objective of this campaign is NOT to sit in front of the television the rest of the year watching every single football game possible. The main objective is “to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and creating new opportunities for young people to lead healthier lifestyles.”

The question is how do we “tackle” the child obesity rate which has nearly doubled in the last ten years?

Here are some examples of how you can encourage children (and adults too!) to be more active and healthier:

• Start a walking or running club in your neighborhood
• Organize a mini flag football league in your community
• Provide free dancing lessons….girls love dancing!
• Advocate for healthier meal options at school
• Organize a weekly family trip to the farmer’s market in your area and get tons of fruits and veggies!
• Help a neighbor with their yard work - mowing or raking are great exercise!
• Make sodas a weekend-only-beverage
• All the family helps mom to do the housework!
• Organize an Egg Rolling Championship (involves propelling a hard-boiled egg with a long-handled spoon about 20 feet or more!)
• Bike rides with family and friends
• Declare a no screen week- no television, computer, video game or cell-phone

The list can be endless, just remember to have a lot of fun while you and the people around you get healthier!

Kickoff's Eve

2010-09-08T19:45:00.001-07:00

By Eloisa Herrero

Have you ever wondered what happens on the eve of the GLUW Campaign Kickoff?? Let me show you how the GLUW staff and representatives of partner agencies get busy the day before the event.

Setting up the stage

Setting up the tables

Taking care of the office while everybody is gone!

Tonight, all the GLUW staff will be praying for an inspiring kickoff and for a successful 2010 campaign!

INFOline of Gregg County 9th Anniversary

2010-08-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

By LaDelle Kay
INFOline Program Manager

As I wrote last week, I love festivals and celebrations! This week we’re celebrating the 9th anniversary of GLUW’s INFOline of Gregg County. It seems like yesterday that we began and yet so much longer. So many things have happened as we grew from the birthing process to where we are today with calls totaling 39,500 plus!

INFOline began as a dream over 10 years ago when several people in the community sensed the need of a community free, confidential information and referral system. Their vision was to bridge the gap between people needing resources or information and the health and human service organizations with resources to meet the need. As they researched ways to make this dream become a reality, one of the members became aware of a grant through the state for this type of service to benefit especially low income residents. INFOline of Gregg County was implemented with a $100,000 which covered most of the first 2 years. Greater Longview United Way provides the major funding for the program. INFOline publishes a Resource Directory with detailed listings of 161 organizations and 523 programs. In addition, the Directory is online on our website.

As I think back over the many calls during these 9 years, I think of the faces behind those calls and celebrate when we know that we have been able to get people in touch with the resources they need. It also saddens me when I have to tell the caller that we’re unable to help because the resources have been exhausted due to the rapidly increasing needs. When we’re unable to give them exactly what they are seeking, many times we are able to press further in the conversation and find other ways to help them. An example is if rental assistance is not available, we ask if they have utility bills and maybe they can use an agency to get that paid and use that money toward rent. We encourage them to take advantage of free courses in money management offered by some agencies.

I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to implement this program as program manager and see it grow from it’s inception to a well-recognized, reliable community service. Sometimes we get a blessing from helping others, but we are especially blessed to live in a community where people work together to improve the quality of life.

Cultural Diversity

2010-08-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

By Ladelle Kay, INFOline Program Manager

I love festivals and celebrations! All my senses are heightened. I love the sounds of different languages, the smell of sometimes unfamiliar foods, the sights of costumes and dress from different races and cultures, the taste of delicious foods, and the touch of beads and artistic items produced by somewhere else in the world.

In the early 1990’s I lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was a fantastic adventure each year in late summer or early fall as millions of people lined the banks of the Charles River between the cities. People learned to communicate and enjoy the diversity as we shared experiences of our culture. Education is the key to understanding and there were so many opportunities to learn how to live together in harmony even though we had many differences. We celebrated the unity in diversity.
In late September, we have this same opportunity in Longview, Texas as our annual Multicultural Festival arrives. The Multicultural Festival is a family-friendly event designed to encourage the community to become more conscious of ethnic cultures, recognize that we have more in common than differences, and unite against racism. Event activities include cultural entertainment, vendors, food and music. Admission is free.

During the event on September 25, 2010 the Longview Exhibit Building will be transformed into one of the biggest stages in our region, drawing performers and visitors from across the country. The festival remains squarely a “grassroots” event, driven by the enthusiastic support it receives from the Longview Race Relations Committee. Many people from across the area are involved in its preparation: individuals, groups, the city staff and volunteers.

Multicultural Festival

When: Saturday, September 28, 2010
Where: Longview Exhibit Building, 1123 Jaycee Dr., Longview, Texas.
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

COME CELEBRATE OUR UNITY IN DIVERSITY AT THE MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL!

It is stuffing time!!

2010-08-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

By Eloisa Herrero

It is stuffing time at the Greater Longview United Way. Stuffing time?? You might be wondering. It is not even close to Thanksgiving!

GLUW likes to do its stuffing early, but we do not stuff turkeys…at least not yet!

Our stuffing begins early July when we stuff packets for our pacesetter companies. It is like an early going back to school for us when we start stuffing packets with new brochures, pledge forms, posters, videos, etc. All these packets are distributed during the Pacesetters luncheon hoping our pacesetter companies will lead the way to a successful campaign.

August stuffing begins with invitations to companies to be our event sponsors. The event sponsors help defray the cost of campaign activities so more funds can benefit those in need.

Stuffing continues in August, this time envelopes are stuffed with invitations and tickets for our campaign kickoff.

Before our kickoff in September, all the stuffed packets for the rest of the companies need to be ready for our volunteers to pick up and deliver. Here is when all the fun and hard work begins for our great volunteers.

From September to November hundreds of letters are stuffed and sent. We ask our donors to LIVE UNITED and help us with their generous donations to improve the quality of life in our community.

November comes and after stuffing all those letters, we are ready to stuff the turkey!

After the New Year, we are ready to do the last stuffing of our campaign. This stuffing is very special for us because it gives us the opportunity to say THANK YOU to all the people who contributed to our campaign.

All the GLUW staff is ready and looking forward to the 2010 Campaign!

Earn it, Keep it, Save it!! - Say no to payday loans!!

2010-08-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

Eloisa Herrero

During the past several months the media around the world has covered the controversy surrounding Arizona’s New Immigration Law. Almost everybody has read or heard about it and probably everybody has formed an opinion about this law, either against or for.

However, I believe the media has failed to give enough coverage to a very important law that took effect on July 1st in Arizona, if they did I must have completely missed it.

Payday lending ended in Arizona on July 1, 2010. Arizona did it by cancelling the payday lenders' exemption to the state's 36% loan interest rate cap. This is a huge step towards protecting working families who are trying to get ahead.
Unfortunately, the outlook is not as good in Texas. Many families use payday loans as a last resort to meet their basic needs. For a two-week payday loan, people will pay more or less fifteen dollars for every $100 they borrowed which roughly represents a 390% annual percentage rate (APR)! Those who cannot pay off the loan on time often take a new loan to pay off the first one and soon they find themselves in a cycle of loans, which they cannot break.

I believe it would be a great idea if we could all ADVOCATE for a solution to this growing problem by urging the Texas state law makers to create stricter laws for the payday loan businesses.

By doing so we would help a lot of people in our communities to get out of debt faster, meet their basic needs, build assets and attain a better quality of life.

Back to School!!

2010-08-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

By Eloisa Herrero

Back to school means new teachers, new friends, new classrooms or maybe new schools. When I was a kid, it also meant new books, new pencils, new uniforms, new shoes, and new backpacks. During all those years, it never crossed my mind that going back to school could have possibly meant new worries for my parents!

When you are a kid you never worry about that. I never knew if they struggled or not to come up with the extra money to get all my school supplies. I was fortunate to have my school supplies ready to go back to school every year and I am so thankful for that now.

Even though I am not a parent, I know now the incredible burden that going back to school could mean to many parents. They must hate this time of the year!

Fortunately, for those parents who need a little help getting their kids’ school supplies there are resources that I would like to share with them:

• School Supply Train in Longview
Where: The ROC at the corner of South and Fredonia Streets (across from First Baptist Church of Longview)

When: August 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
August 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• School Supplies in Kilgore
Where: St. Luke’s Methodist Church - 401 E Main (Entrance across from Citizen’s Bank)

When: August 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
August 19th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until supplies last.

For more information call INFOline of Gregg County at 903-236-9211

2010-07-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Home Repairs Program gets a helping hand

2010-07-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

The Home Repairs Program is drilling down the list of elderly and/or disabled homeowners in need of assistance - thanks to UM Army! UM Army, United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth, is a group of young people from all over the Lone Star State that give their time to help others during their summer. This week our referrals along with others in the surrounding area will receive minor home repairs! After months of waiting, clients will have improved living conditions -thanks to these stars that will shine forever in the lives they touched.

Our Work

2010-06-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

As GLUW works with our donors, volunteers and partnering agencies to advance the common good in our community, United Way nationally is partnering to restore the Gulf Coast. Check this out:

LIVE UNITED on Larry King Live: How You Can Help Telethon Monday at 8 PM ET
On CNN’s Larry King Live this Monday, a special 2-hour telethon with celebrity participants will feature United Way as one of three charities in efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast. Thousands of people have already received United Way help with food, clothing, utility assistance, rent and mortgage relief, and access to health and mental health care. Call into the telethon or go to our Web site to give to the United Way Gulf Recovery Fund to support emergency assistance and long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives by addressing educational, financial and health-related challenges.

Celebrity participants include: Ryan Seacrest, Justin Bieber, Ted Danson, Robert Redford, Sting, Cameron Diaz, Kathy Griffin, Chelsea Handler, Randy Jackson, Kerry Kennedy, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny McCarthy, Tim McGraw, Alyssa Milano, Edward James Olmos, Victoria Principal, Ian Somerhalder, Melania and Ivanka Trump, Pete Wentz, Jerricho Cotchery, Marcellus Wiley

The United Way Gulf Recovery Fund will provide emergency assistance and support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives by addressing educational, financial and health-related challenges.

For more on how you can help visit www.give.liveunited.org/page/contribute/gulf. We are privilege to have the opportunity to inspire hope and create opportunities in Gregg County as well as, being a part of an organization that is doing the same throughout the country and the world. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED!

Information provided by United Way Worldwide

2010-06-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Luminant's check presentation was made at the Greater Longview United Way office. L-R in photo State Rep. Tommy Merritt, GLUW Executive Director Donna Mahurin, GLUW Board President Chuck Ewings, State Senator Kevin Eltiffe’s District Coordinator Dee Farmer and Luminant Martin Lake Community Relations Mgr. Rick Hanning. The check represents Luminant’s Corporate matching funds contribution.

2009 VITA Program Results

2010-06-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our VITA volunteers and staff, the returns prepared totaled $367,904 in refunds to our clients!Here is a comparison of our VITA Program from 2007-2009:VITA provides free tax preparation from IRS trained volunteers every year. So remember them for your 2010 taxes!

For more information and qualifications, please visit our website @ longviewunitedway.org under the Initiatives tab select VITA.

Allocations Outcome

2010-05-28T05:22:00.000-07:00

United Way places more weight on basic needs funding

By Angela Ward award@news-journal.com |

The Greater Longview United Way announced its funding allocations to partner agencies this week and implemented a new multi-year funding process, Executive Director Donna Mahurin said.

"While the actual dollar amounts each program gets over the next three years will vary according to how well our campaign does annually, the percentages will remain the same," Mahurin said.

"We believe this will allow program directors to more easily plan for the future and to better manage their budgets."

The allocations committee also made some changes based on the Community Needs Assessment Survey. The survey is done every three years and helps the committee make sure the funds are going to address the most critical needs in the community.

"With the difficult economic situation, both nationally and locally, the programs that meet basic needs like food and shelter are seeing the greatest increase in demand," Mahurin said. "So we've increased their funding somewhat. Unfortunately, that means we've had to decrease the funding to some of the programs that meet other needs, such as literacy and substance abuse."

The Greater Longview United Way raised $1.294 million in its 2009-10 campaign.

Doris Ramaly, executive director of the Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network, said she was pleased at the increase in funding the Inn-Keepers Housing Program received.

"We've been helping more families, and the costs for our supplies have gone up, so we really appreciate getting more help," Ramaly said.

Although programs run by the Women's Center of East Texas received less funding than in 2009, Executive Director Shannon Trest said she was still grateful to the Greater Longview United Way.

"Everything we get is useful, and I know that fundraising has been difficult recently," Trest said.

****
United Way partner agency allocations

Program, Partner agency, Team, 2010 funding, 2009 funding

Positive Youth Development, American Red Cross, Education, $9,000, $13,000

Boy Scouts/Venturing, Boy Scouts, East Texas Area Council, Education, $10,800, $9,300

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, East Texas Area Council, Education, $15,800, $11,500

Learning for Life/Exploring, Boy Scouts, East Texas Area Council, Education, $10,800, $9,300

The Positive Place, Boys & Girls Club of Gregg County, Education, $20,000, $26,500

Adult Basic Literacy and ESL, East Texas Literacy Council, Education, $36,000, $39,000

Young Adult Dropout Literacy Program, East Texas Literacy Council, Education, $6,000, $7,500

Partners in Prevention Mentoring Program, Friends of Partners in Prevention, Education, $28,000, $23,000

Girl Scouting in the School Day, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Education, $20,000, $20,000

Childcare Scholarships, Longview Child Development Center, Education, $80,000, $91,750

Learning Lab, Longview Community Ministries, Education, $14,000, $15,000

Childrenâ€™s Place Programs, SeeSaw Children'€™s Place, Education, $66,400, $72,500

We Can Too! Downtown Coffee Shop, The ARC of Gregg County, Education, $8,000, $10,000

SMART Moves, Boys & Girls Club of Gregg County, Health, $5,000, $5,00

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Deaf Action Center, Health, $5,000, N/A (New request)

East Texas CASA, East Texas Child Advocates, Health, $17,500, $10,000

Getting Together Safely, East Texas Child Advocates, Education, $17,500, $20,439

Access to Recovery Program, East Texas Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Health, $50,000, $68,050

Gregg County Family Drug Court, East Texas Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Health, $30,000, $40,000

Health Literacy, East Texas Literacy Council, Health, $4,000, $8,000

Fredonia Place, Fredonia Place (Community Healthcore), Health, $12,988, $12,988

Prescription and Medical Assistance, Longview Community Ministries, Health, $25,000, $25,000

Emergency Dental Outreach, Longview Community Ministries, Health, $10,000, $15,000

Parent Education Classes, Parenting Resource Center of East Texas, Health, $25,000, $25,000

Nonresidential Program Services, Womenâ€™s Center of East Texas, Health, $25,000, $34,000

Residential Program Services, Womenâ€™s Center of East Texas, Health, $37,387, $50,000

Emergency Services/Services to Armed Forces, American Red Cross, Income, $51,000, $53,707

Circles of East Texas, Friends of Partners in Prevention, Income, $17,000, $12,430

Emergency Rental Assistance, Longview Community Ministries, Income, $26,000, $24,327

Food Box, Longview Community Ministries, Income, $36,000, $16,964

Incremental Housing Assistance, Longview Community Ministries, Income, $32,000, $28,055

Meals on Wheels, Longview Community Ministries, Income, $20,000, $19,326

Utility Assistance, Longview Community Ministries, Income, $19,000, $9,707

Self-Help Home Ownership Program, Longview Habitat for Humanity, Income, $55,000, $53,145

Inn-Keepers Housing Program, Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network, Income, $20,000, $15,964

Comprehensive Emergency Assistance, The Salvation Army, Income, $51,353, $52,353

Transitional Living Program, The Salvation Army, Income, $22,000, $25,206

Source: Greater Longview United Way

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2010-05-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Bringing people and services together is as easy as a few clicks on the mouse. The 2010 Resource Directory is now available online at www.longviewunitedway.org/INFOline.php. “INFOline provides information and referral to help individuals, families, and community members effectively access the programs that comprise the human service delivery system in Gregg County.”

If you prefer to call, INFOline’s English and Spanish-speaking specialists will always answer questions or assist with needs not addressed online. Contact them at 903.236.9211, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

INFOline of Gregg County is a GLUW initiative and together we serve our community.

National Stroke Awareness Month

2010-05-17T08:57:00.000-07:00

Health is 1 of the 3 focus areas with the greatest concern in our community. In addition to funding 13 health programs for Gregg County residents, GLUW would like to share awareness/prevention information.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in America, but many people do not realize how educating themselves and others will help reduce the incidence of stroke. We urge you to specifically educate others about how to:
*STOP stroke through risk factor management.
*Act F.A.S.T. to increase recognition of and response to stroke symptoms.
*Spread HOPE about recovery from stroke.

Image and information provided by National Stroke Association, for more information please visit www.stroke.org.

It's allocation time here at GLUW!

2010-05-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

We have our volunteers in Community Solutions Teams for: Education, Income and Health. Before the big day teams underwent training from GLUW and the United Ways of Texas. Our volunteers are invaluable- devoting so much time (attending orientation, agency tours and reviewing applications) leading up to the finale.

This year, Stephanie Guidry and Roxanne Jones from Austin facilitated the Outcomes Training for new and returning volunteers. As a new volunteer on the Income Team, I was eager to see this process come full circle. In one day teams listen to agency interviews, and evaluate how programs are addressing critical needs according to the 2010 Community Needs Assessment Survey and INFOline of Gregg County statistics.

Through the allocation process we advance the common good and reassure GLUW's donors their dollars are well spent.

2010-04-28T08:31:00.001-07:00

Volunteers are Priceless

2010-04-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

Coalition honors volunteers at luncheon

By Angela Ward award@news-journal.com | 1 comment

Posted: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 12:32 am | Updated: 8:11 am, Wed Apr 21, 2010.

Branden Johnson on Tuesday wore a lot of different hats at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Johnson, nonprofit coalition board president, donned hard hats, cowboy hats, chef's hats and other forms of headgear as he honored local volunteers for the myriad ways in which they helped the community's nonprofit agencies.

Several hundred people attended the event at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center at which 24 volunteers were recognized.

"I can't say enough about all of you," Johnson said. "Not just the individuals we mention by name today, but everyone who volunteers their time at any of the many agencies that help our community to run more smoothly."

"Without volunteers, Longview wouldn't be the city it is," Mayor Pro Tem John Sims said.

"I applaud all of you, and you should applaud yourselves; we're lucky to have such commitment to so many causes from so many of our residents."

Agency volunteers

American Red Cross: Suzette Alexander

ARC of Gregg County: Darrell Howanitz

Artsview Childrenâ€™s Theatre: Bonnie Capshaw

Buckner Children and Family Services: Ann Gibson

City of Longview (Paula Martin Jones Recreation Center): Barbara McDaniels

City of Longview (Partners in Prevention): Lewis Thompson

East Texas Child Advocates: Sara Norfleet

East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Cheryl Chandler

East Texas Literacy Council: Kay Naugle

Eden Place: Votto and JoAnn Gaddis

Greater Longview United Way: Ray Stroud

Longview Community Ministries (Meals on Wheels): Cissy Ward

Longview Community Ministries (Learning Lab): Joyce Roberts

Longview Habitat for Humanity: Bill Charles

Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network: Linda Eaves

Longview Partnership: Teresa Crisler

Outer Court Ministries House of Hope: Shaye Caffey

Page Place I: Earlie Fitts

Page Place II: Margaret Walling

Pathstones Counseling Center: Melissa Woodson

Presbyterian Children'€™s Homes:Ruth Ann Camp

SeeSaw Children's Place: Sharon Graham

Wellness Pointe: Ada Moses

Source: Longview Nonprofit Coalition, http://www.news-journal.com/news/local/article_f8215c2e-e28d-5778-bd6c-3d0fb78337d2.html

Volunteer Spotlight: Ray Stroud

2010-04-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Ray Stroud is Special Projects Manager, Olefins Chemicals Division for Eastman Chemical. He has been a Greater Longview United Way volunteer for 10 years. Ray began working in the United Way campaign in 2000. He served on the GLUW Board of Directors from 2001-2007. He also served on the allocations committee from 2002-2005

Leadership positions Ray has held with United Way include, Campaign Co-Chair, Campaign Chair, and President. In 2009 Ray began chairing a new GLUW committee which seeks to identify potential volunteer leaders. This committee is responsible for recruiting and developing volunteers for GLUW and our community. Ray helped to implement a volunteer leaders’ succession plan, which is critical to GLUW’s future.
In addition to being an outstanding GLUW volunteer, Ray is active in the Longview Greggton Rotary Club, is a former Board Chair for the Longview Salvation Army Advisory Board and has previously served as director of the Louisiana Tech University Science and Engineering Foundation.
Ray has been a dedicated leader for GLUW for many years. His current position as Chair of the Leadership Development Committee will ensure GLUW has well equipped volunteer leaders for years to come.

April 15 happens this week and...

2010-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

Final days to receive FREE Tax Preparation through the VITA Program are right around the corner!

This service is available at no charge to qualified individuals or families that earn $50,000 or less. The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program helps individuals take advantage of the tax credits they are eligible for, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Education Credit.

IRS trained volunteers and LeTourneau University student volunteers will be at the Boys & Girls Club of Gregg County this evening from 6-8:30 pm!

For more information call the Gregg County INFOline @ 903-236-9211 or visit www.longviewunitedway.org/media/VITA_Flyer_2010.pdf for complete details!

Staff Spotlight: Leta White

2010-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Leta White will be observing her 22nd anniversary with GLUW May 1st !

Here are some comments from her colleagues about what Leta means to GLUW.

Leta means so much to GLUW – to our volunteers, to the staff and to our community. Leta has dedicated her time and energy to GLUW. Whether it is managing the donor database, sending out thousands of letters or preparing for a special event, Leta always makes certain that every detail is covered. Organized, dependable, conscientious, and loyal are just a few of the words that describe Leta’s work style. GLUW has certainly benefited from her knowledge and experience over the past 22 years, as have I. -Donna

Do you want to know anything about GLUW? Ask Leta! It is truly amazing the amount of information about events, donors, protocols, volunteers, etc. that she can remember! Do you need an excellent proof reader? Leta is! Do you need a new idea for a project? Leta will always come up with something new! Do you have an extra piece of chocolate? Leta will take it! Are you cold either in winter or summer? Leta’s office is always warm and cozy! -Eloisa

In a couple of months, I’ve seen how dedicated Leta is to GLUW. She is very knowledgeable and her contributions help shape GLUW to what it is today! Thanks Leta for what you do! -Janelle

Leta, thanks for being such a great part of the GLUW team. Congrats on your 22 years here. We appreciate so much all you do and look to you for our historical data!! Appreciate you so much. -Love you, LaDelle

Leta is our corporate memory. She has a vast knowledge and experience that add immeasurable to the GLUW. -Phyllis

2010-03-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

2010-03-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

By: Darren Groce, Former GLUW President

Our Greater Longview United Way makes a huge difference in our community, affecting the lives of tens of thousands of our neighbors. With this in mind, I had a fair amount of trepidation when I assumed the responsibilities of President of the GLUW Board last year. A prime concern of mine was to make sure that all of the good work of GLUW continued without skipping a beat.
We all know of the annual fundraising campaign facilitated by GLUW. Last year, GLUW received pledges of some $1.3 million dollars during the campaign, which is a phenomenal sum. But, GLUW is more than just a fundraising campaign. We are out to actively address and solve community issues. For example, two of our initiatives last year sought to successfully launch a home repairs program and a legal assistance program. When GLUW last conducted a Community Needs Assessment, two critical needs were identified that up to that point were not being met – low cost home repairs and affordable legal assistance. We are proud to say that a minor home repairs program is now up and running, and we partnered with Lone Star Legal Aid to provide funding to hire another paralegal. The home repairs program has now completed 16 projects, and Lone Star Legal Aid (“LSLA”) has been able to just about double their case load (for 1st five months of GLUW funding, LSLA was able to resolve 175 cases, compared to 89 cases resolved during the same period for the previous year).
We also modified the format last year of our annual campaign kick-off luncheon. It’s a little tweak, but we like it. Historically, we have brought in speakers from outside Longview to impart some words of wisdom to the 600 or so in attendance. We decided, though, to instead use the words of a number of individuals who benefit from the programs GLUW helps fund. In particular, one speaker gave a personal account of his life with drug addiction and how his life has been completely turned around through a GLUW-funded program. A dry eye could hardly be found on the faces of those in attendance.
GLUW does change lives. It changes the lives not only of those who are in need and participate in one of the many programs GLUW helps fund, but also of those who volunteer behind the scenes. I have been affected because I have seen the positive difference our volunteer efforts make. I have seen the incredible programs administered by incredible local agencies. And I have seen how hundreds of volunteers can get pledges from thousands of individuals and companies of about $1.3 million dollars to help fund those incredible programs. I am honored to be able to give back through volunteering with GLUW.

2010-03-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Come join the Movement and help change our community!

Thanks for joining together to raise $1,294,713 !!

2010-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Local United Way falls just short of campaign goal
By ANGELA WARD

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Greater Longview United Way raised $1.294 million in its 2009-10 campaign — almost 98 percent of the $1.325 million goal, Executive Director Donna Mahurin said Thursday.

"We're pleased that we came so close to meeting our goal," said campaign chairman Richard Lazarus. "In this economy, the fact that we were only 2 percent below what we aimed for says a lot about the generosity of our community."

Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo

Campaign Chairman Richard Lazarus fills in the final update Thursday to the Greater Longview United Way donation thermometer.

The group also met 98 percent of its goal for the 2008-09 campaign, Mahurin said. However, the local group has been doing better than the national average.

"While we didn't raise quite as much as we were aiming for, we'll still be able to do a lot of good with these funds," she said.

Although national figures have not been released, Mahurin said an informal survey showed other United Ways of similar size across the county had an average of a 4 percent decrease in the amount raised for 2009-10 as compared to the 2008-09 campaigns.

The United Way serves as an umbrella fundraising agency for other nonprofit organizations in the community. In May, the United Way will begin allocating money from the campaign to programs run by the various partner agencies, which should receive the money by the end of that month, Mahurin said.

"While we feel fortunate to have raised as much as we did, the sad thing is that demands for the services of our partner agencies have been increasing," Mahurin said.

http://www.news-journal.com/hp/content/news/stories/2010/03/12/03122010_united_way.html

A Word from GLUW's Campaign Chairman

2010-03-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

I have had a great time this year as GLUW’s campaign chairman. It is a great feeling to be part of such a dedicated team. With the important initiatives begun last year and coming to fruition this year such as the Leadership Development Committee and the Communications Committee along with the outcomes of our World Café board retreat, there is a clear pathway for success in the future. These endeavors help us focus on our mission as much as a campaign goal. Looking back, I am honored to be listed with the group of leaders that have served in the past. Looking forward, I hope to continue to be able to work with future volunteers to meet the needs of our community.

Richard Lazarus

2010-02-25T10:32:00.000-08:00

Here's what our VITA volunteers are saying!

2010-02-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Nick A. said...
I am currently an Accounting major at LeTourneau University. I was able to hear about VITA through some of my fellow accounting students and through notices in a number of my business classes. This is my first year as a VITA member and before I started I didnt quite know what to expect. The only thing that I knew is that I would be preparing the tax returns of people around the community. Originally, I mainly decided to become a VITA member because I felt that this experience would look good as a resume item for potential future jobs. However, I did not realize that I would be gaining so much more. I know that I am only helping people with their taxes, but overall this has been a very satisfying and fulfilling service for me as I didn't realize how much I was helping people in the community. Some people are just so grateful for our work and after you finish a return it makes you feel amazing knowing that you helped that person out. For example the first day I went to volunteer I was really nervous because as I mentioned I didnt know what to expect. I was nervous that I might mess up someone's taxes or that I wouldn't be able to do the tax return right and that people would get angry at me. My first clients were a younger couple who walked in with their little baby girl. As I began to do their taxes I started conversing with them and they were both very friendly. We began talking about their new baby girl and I just completely forgot all the nerves and fear I had going into my first day. I just followed the steps that you are taught in the VITA training classes and everything turned out fine. The couple ended up getting a pretty significant refund on their taxes and they were both just ecstatic and they even gave me a hug or two. They were very grateful and just thanked me multiple times for helping them out. It was an amazing experience and it was just so gratifying to know that I had helped them out just by doing their taxes. I encourage everyone to become a VITA member whether you are an accountant or not. There are a number of people that I have met who are just doing it because they want to give back to the community. It is easy, it is fun, and it is just a great and satisfying experience.

February 19, 2010 1:47 PM

Welcome!

2010-02-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

Greater Longview United Way (GLUW) wants to hear from YOU! Please share with us your experiences volunteering or contributing to GLUW.