Smith Leonard CPAs bring in almost $600 in Food for the Postal Food Drive

Our friends at Smith Leonard Accountants and Consultants, who generously donated to the UWGHP CANpaign Kickoff food drive, have demonstrated their community support yet again with an office drive for the NALC 'Stamp Out Hunger' National Food Drive. To generate extra support, the staff participated in a friendly competition between departments. They then went shopping with the money raised, purchasing meal staples that our local food pantries are so in need of. It took three staff members and two cars to haul away all of the food donated.

_{Smith Leonard staff posing with a few of the items donated from funds raised in their office drive.}

Early Support for the Postal Food Drive is Encouraging for Local Letter Carriers

United Way has been on a mission to thank letter carriers across the Greater High Point region for their hard work on Saturday May 12, 2012. Even as they gear up for a backbreaking day, the overwhelming response from letter carriers across High Point, Jamestown, Archdale and Trinity has been thankfulness, for the generosity of our community. Below is a picture from our visit to the Jamestown Post Office.

_{Jamestown Rural Letter Carriers Pose to Promote the Postal Food Drive}

HPU Kicks off the Postal Food Drive Early

High Point University's annual Spring semester food collections in support of the Postal Food Drive totalled about 500 pounds this year. Every year, students donate food before moving out of their dorms in support of High Point Food banks. This year's successful collection is a great start to this Saturday's food drive. A big thank you to the staff and students for their wonderful community support!

_{High Point University Staff pose with United Way staff in front of the enormouscollection of food donated by students.}

Pennybyrn at Maryfield Brings Donations and Dollars in an Early Show of Support for the Postal Food Drive

Pennybyrn at Maryfield ran their Postal Food Drive early, starting to organize about two weeks before the official collection date on Saturday May 12, 2012. They brought in about seven boxes of nonperishable food. One donor gave an additional $50.00 to support the drive, which went to purchase 10 cans of meat sauce, 45 cans of tuna, 10 cans of pork and beans, and 5 cans of chicken. Donated staples like meat and spagetti sauce are hard to get, according to local food banks.

_{Pennybyrn residents pose with some of the food collected in their drive.}

The Stratford Partnered with United Way to Start their Drive Early for this Year's Postal Food Drive

Residents at The Stratford in High Point started an early drive for the Postal Food Drive. Staff began promoting the drive several weeks in advance, and residents stepped up to support their local community.

_{Residents and staff at the Stratford pose with a few of their donations}

Wells Fargo Advisors Bring in an Early Donation for the Postal Food Drive

Wells Fargo got an early start in support of the Postal Food Drive this year, bringing in their donations on Friday, before the big Saturday collection that will benefit 13 food pantries in High Point, Jamestown, Archdale and Trinity. They collected a huge box of food a week before the drive.

_{Kelsey Smith from Wells Fargo poses with just some of the food collected there}

Call to Action: Help United Way Support the Postal Food Drive

Marketing for the 2012 Annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' Postal Food Drive is well underway and we are urging our community to come out and make this critical effort even more successful than last year's.

On Saturday, May 12, 2012 local postal carriers across the country will participate in the national Postal Food Drive, collecting non-perishable foods for local food pantries.

In the Greater High Point area, food collections in High Point, Archdale, and Jamestown will benefit 13 local food banks at Open Door Ministries, The House of Prayer, The Salvation Army, Carpenter House, Triad Health Project, COAT (Community Outreach in Archdale-Trinity), Helping Hands, West End Ministries, Caring Services, Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Ward Street Mission, and the Macedonia Family Resource Center.

Local residents who wish to help are asked to leave non-perishable foods in bags at their mailbox on May 12th, for their letter carrier or rural carrier to pick up.

Items that are particularly needed include
- canned meats such as tuna, chicken or Spam
- peanut butter
- canned soups and stews
- macaroni and cheese
- canned fruit
- instant oatmeal and grits
- baby food and formula
- liquid nutrition supplements such as Ensure
- fruit juice
- toiletry items, especially shampoo and deodorant

For more ways to help, please take a look at some of the ideas to the right

PLEASE NOTE: For safety and storage reasons, cans or plastic containers are required (instead of glass jars or other packaging). Boxed items such as pasta and cereal are allowed and are helpful in giving families the "building blocks" for nutritious meals.

For the Fourth Consecutive Year Belk Pays it Forward

For the 4th year in a row, Belk at Oak Hollow Mall generously donated two giving incentives for our residential and retiree group of donors. Joe and Kathleen Minchak (pictured above with Belk store Manager, Jason Scott), were the winners of a $400 his and hers fragrance and cosmetic gift basket. David and Sharon Puryear were the winners of a $200 Belk Shopping Spree, which they graciously donated to a young woman in need, being served through an outreach program at the YWCA of Greater High Point. Congratulations to our incentive winners and many thanks to those who gave to our 2011 United Way campaign!

If you haven't been in our local Belk at Oak Hollow Mall recently, be sure to stop in --Belk has lots of fresh, colorful new looks for spring and summer!

Congratulations and Thanks to Wells Fargo!

Congratulations to Wells Fargo! For the third year in a row, Wells Fargo was United Way's top national campaign! In 2011, the company and its employees pledged more than $58 million dollars to United Ways in communities across the country. Locally in the greater High Point, Archdale, Trinity and Jamestown areas, Wells Fargo contributed $62,127 to the United Way of Greater High Point. We are so grateful for their continued support.

United Way Sustains & Expands BackPack Program

_{L to R - Mallie Burton, Oakview Elementary; Carlvena Foster, Carl Chavis YMCA; Bobby Smith, UWGHP; and Pam Greene, CIS at Fairview Elementary}

Thanks to the generosity of United Way donors, the American Express Foundation and other community partners, 100 additional children in High Point and the Archdale-Trinity communities who are at-risk for hunger during weekends will soon begin receiving backpacks filled with food on Friday afternoons.

The BackPack program, a program of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC's national network, aims to address childhood hunger by providing elementary school children at risk of hunger with backpacks full of nutritious, kid-friendly foods to take home over the weekends during the school year. United Way of Greater High Point's BackPack Program, in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, began in April 2010.

On average, it costs $5.00 to feed a child each weekend during the school year. In addition to sustaining the current 250 participants in High Point through this partnership, 25 new students in High Point and 75 in Archdale-Trinity will be added to the program utilizing funding sources from the American Express Foundation and donors to United Way, including two who made large gifts designated to the program in December.

This is just the latest in a series of donations and grants that allowed the United Way of Greater High Point to begin, then expand, its BackPack program in partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. The High Point Community Foundation provided initial funding for the program's launch (serving 80 children) in April 2010, and many United Way donors designate individual contributions to the BackPack Program.

Grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation, Reynolds American Foundation, and Truliant Federal Credit Union have also supported this program, bringing nearly $60,000 dollars into the community for the BackPack Program - most of which would never have been received outside the traditional campaign had United Way not actively sought them. These grants are not counted in United Way's traditional fundraising campaign.

High Point Central Students "Dance UNITED" and raise $7,000 for our United Way!

Could you dance for 14 hours straight? Well, that's what a group of students from High Point Central did at the Hartley Drive YMCA on Friday, March 23rd --- raising $7,000 for the United Way of Greater High Point! Special thanks to the students, teachers, administrators and parents at High Point Central, and to Tim Ilderton and Ilderton Chrysler Dodge Jeep for additional support!

Click here to see footage from WFMY!

Community SMASHES 2011 Campaign Goal, Raising

2011 Campaign Hits All-Time High With 5% Increase Over 2010

Achievement marks 4th time in 5 years UWGHP bests all major cities in NC & becomes the only major United Way in NC to surpass pre-recession totals from 2007

Declaring, "Today is a great day in Greater High Point," 2011 United Way of Greater High Point Campaign Chairman Greg York announced that a record-smashing $4,627,624 was raised to fund programs at 29 local partner agencies in 2012 -2013.

The 2011 campaign goal was $4,450,000. Citing across-the-board success and very few declines, the 2011 United Way of Greater High Point campaign total of $4.6 million is $227,249 above the amount raised in 2010 --- a 5% increase. The previous year's campaign in 2010 raised $4,400,375, surpassing a goal of $4,250,000.

"We are extremely proud that we are the only major United Way (raising over $2 million dollars annually) in North Carolina that has not only surpassed what they raised before 2007, (when the organization raised $4,526,000) but we have also raised more funds that we have ever raised in our 76 years," said Bobby Smith, President of the United Way of Greater High Point. "We had no special matches, no special "one time" gifts, nothing we feel we can't replicate in Fall 2012. Where we did encounter decreases, they were not dramatic. United Way is the best way to advance the common good in our community, and our United Way is very fortunate to have such strong relationships and partnerships in which the generous people of High Point, Archdale, Trinity, and Jamestown invest their resources."

To date the highest campaign record was $4,526,000, set in 2007. Also, according to results reported to United Way of North Carolina, Greater High Point has posted the best campaign results among the major United Ways in the state for the fourth time in the last five years, dating back to 2007 when the recession began. The one year during that time span in which Greater High Point wasn't first in that group, it was second. The major United Ways include metropolitan Charlotte, as well as Asheville, Greater Greensboro, Forsyth County, the Triangle, and Wilmington.

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. was again the top contributor in the 2011 United Way campaign with a total gift of $331,000 in employee and corporate giving. This is a $50,000 increase over last year's total of $281,801. Old Dominion is the first organization in more than a decade that has exceeded the $300,000 mark in contributions to United Way. The City of High Point was the second largest donor with a total of $247,358.

In the 2011 campaign, the United Way of Greater High Point is also honored to have 66 members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, which raised $790,422 in gifts of $10,000 each or more. In the 2010 campaign, UWGHP's Tocqueville Society had 64 members that contributed $768,621.

United Way Seeks Program Review Team Volunteers

As part of its annual fund distribution process, the United Way of Greater High Point is seeking volunteers from across the community to serve on its three Program Review Teams (PRTs). Each year, the United Way of Greater High Point assembles approximately 50 volunteers from High Point, Archdale, Trinity, and Jamestown to review the funded programs of United Way's 29 partner agencies, consider applications for new programs, then determine how to most effectively allocate the funds that were raised in the recent 2011 campaign. Space is limited and the deadline to get involved is March 2nd. For more information, please contact Kellie Cartwright at 899-0879 or kellie.cartwright@unitedwayhp.org.

Pearce Elementary Students Collect Food for Needy

As part of a service learning project, the fifth grade students at E. P. Pearce Elementary School collected non-perishable food for the needy in our community. All items were donated to Open Door Ministries in High Point.

_{Photo Identification (L to R): Cassidy Davis, Chandler Whitson, Alana Roy, Addy Crenshaw, Frida Vives, Blake Phipps, Savannah Ringer, Emma Ackerson, Ms. Shelley Hunt- Service Learning Coordinator, Mrs. Pam Misher- Principal}

_{Front Row 1 (L to R): Chandler Whitson, Cassidy Davis, Savannah Ringer -- Middle Row (L to R): Addy Crenshaw, Frida Vives, Blake Phipps, Emma Ackerson -- Back row (L to R): Dale Metz, United Way & Ms. Jennifer Harding, Grade 5 Teacher}

When life hands you lemons, use your Apple!

There's an app for that!! New iPhone app connects people with community services

Ever wondered who to call for help?  It’s a great question, considering North Carolina has more than 20,000 nonprofits providing every form of service.  Finding help is now easier than ever for iPhone users with the launch of the new NC 2-1-1 iPhone app.

The NC 2-1-1 app makes it simple and easy to find community resources all across North Carolina including right here in Greater High Point and throughout the Triad, says Bobby Smith, President of the United Way of Greater High Point. On average, 150 High Point residents call 2-1-1 in search of assistance from health and human service providers each month.

“By launching a cutting-edge iPhone app, we are excited to take our 2-1-1 access to the next level across the Triad and throughout the state of North Carolina," said Smith. “Now you can dial 2-1-1 on your phone, search www.nc211.org on the web, or you can connect through an iPhone app.  Thanks to NC 2-1-1, help and information are always at your fingertips.”

Smith also noted that the range of accessibility to 2-1-1's statewide database not only assists those in need of a wide range of services, but also has the potential to be a useful tool for service providers, those involved in community outreach, and even human resource managers in the business community.

Spearheaded by United Way of North Carolina, NC 2-1-1 is an easy to remember, three-digit telephone number that connects people to critical health and human service programs in their communities.  Today, NC 2-1-1 reaches 80% of NC residents.  United Way of North Carolina is actively working to expand 2-1-1 services statewide.  Both the nc211.org website and the 2-1-1 number are available in multiple languages and the service is confidential and available 24 / 7.

Download the new app to:

• Search a broad list of human services in your community and across North Carolina
• Find the health and human service programs closest to you
• Create a list of resources you use often
• Text or email resources you find useful to your friends, family, and co-workers
• And much more!

Click here to download the new app.

Local Merchants Offer Great Deals To Encourage Donations To United Ways

The "Caring Club" Card Will Be Given To Donors Who Make "Fair Share" Gifts To 2011 Campaign

For the second year, the United Way of Greater High Point is offering an incentive to donors who make a "fair share" donation to the 2011 United Way campaign. It's called the "Caring Club" Card, and to obtain one, you make a pledge of at least one hour's pay per month between now and December 31, 2011, for payment during 2012.

Card holders have the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars in valuable local services, food and entertainment, while also helping support valuable health and human services in the community. The program is modeled after one that began in Kansas City and was first offered in Guilford County by the United Way of Greater Greensboro two years ago. This year, both United Way of Greater Greensboro and Greater High Point are again participating and have partnered together to offer this incentive to donors throughout Guilford County.

The cards will be available later this year to Fair Share donors to the 2011 campaign. Co-promotional partners are High Point Regional Health System and the Guilford Merchants Association. To pledge, make your donation to United Way through your employer, call 883-1077, or visit www.unitedwayhp.org. Greensboro residents can get more information at www.unitedwaygso.org.

United Way of Greater High Point Achieves Second Highest Per Capita Giving Rate in NC

According to the United Way of North Carolina, the United Way of Greater High Point has achieved the second highest Per Capita giving rate from among the 59 United Ways in the state (Per Capita = Total Amount Raised divided by Population).

Please find below the results for selected cities in North Carolina. The information is based on the Fall 2009 campaign results, as many communities have not formally reported their 2010 campaign results. In 2009, the United Way of Greater High Point raised $4,336,572.

Bobby Smith, President of the United Way of Greater High Point, said, "While remarkable, it is not surprising to those of us who live in Greater High Point. Our United Way and this community have a long, proud history of leadership in charitable giving. Certainly credit needs to go to everyone involved with United Way, our generous donors, volunteers, partner agencies, and staff. Greater High Point also has an exceptional Alexis de Tocqueville Society program, led by Chris Greene, and those gifts certainly helped our per capita totals as well. We expect our ranking will only improve once all the Fall 2010 results are officially reported to United Way of North Carolina, since we again posted the best increase among all the major communities in the state." At the conclusion of its 2010 campaign in March 2011, the United Way of Greater High Point announced a total raised of $4,400,375.
Community Per Capita (Campaign Total divided by Population)
Forsyth County $49.01
GREATER HIGH POINT $31.73
Greater Greensboro $31.15
Asheville $22.88
Charlotte Metro $22.65
Shelby $17.36
North Wilkesboro $16.82
Hendersonville $14.92
Salisbury $10.59
Gastonia $9.81
RTP (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) $9.22
Hickory $8.65
Greenville $7.51
Burlington $7.46
Fayetteville $5.73
Wilmington (3 counties) $5.64

More information: Bobby Smith, 899-0878

Click below to find out more about WHEW!

United Way of Greater High Point

We appreciate your interest in our United Way and hope you will visit often. If you have any questions, issues, or concerns regarding our website or our United Way, please feel free to contact us via the "Contact Us" link on this site, or by telephone at 883-4127.

What We Do and How We Do It

The United Way of Greater High Point develops community resources and partnerships that support a broad array of critical health and human service needs in our community. Resources are focused on community impact programs that promote thriving children and families, independent and self-sufficient people, healthy people, and safe neighborhoods.

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United Way of Greater High Point

201 Church Avenue, High Point, NC 27262

Email: info@unitedwayhp.org

Phone: 336.883.4127 -- Fax: 336.883.6928