June 2008

On May 30, the Ninth Street Day Nursery participated with United Way of Greater Fall River and National Grid for our annual Day of Caring. The school's flag pole was re-installed, walls painted, the garage repaired, and the attic was cleaned. Ninth Street, which is approaching its 100th anniversary as a day care, was pleased with all the help offered by the generous volunteers of National Grid.

To view pictures from our new Flickr album, please click here.

May 2008

FALL RIVER – The United Way of Greater Fall River, Inc. is accepting applications for a total of $84,721 in Community Impact and “Investing in Families” funding, announced Lisa Lundy-Kusinitz, Chairperson of the Community Impact Grant Committee.

Community Impact Grants are distributed to agencies that are implementing new, innovative programs to meet emerging needs in the Greater Fall River community. To be eligible for Community Impact funds, an organization must be a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) organization providing health and human service programs. Before applying, agencies should note that Community Impact funds are restricted to new programs or projects and will be funded on a one year only basis.

This year, the United Way’s Board of Directors has authorized a total of $39,721 for Community Impact Grant funding. $8,000 is earmarked for programs focusing on children and the elderly from the Margaret L. Jackson Fund, and $7,600 is set aside for programs that strengthen families from the Judge Beatrice H. and Rosemary Mullaney Fund. Also, $9,000 is available for health and/or education funding from the Charlton Fund; $11,600 for health-related programs from the newly established Pierce Foundation Fund; $1,100 for health services from the Bower Fund; and $2,200 for programs serving the Westport community from the Lafrance Fund. All six funds were established through the United Way’s Endowment Fund.

Additionally, the United Way is accepting applications for up to $45,000 in one time funding for services in the community specifically addressing family issues related to health and education. These “Investing in Families” grants may be for new or existing programs/services, providing support for a broad base of the needs of families in Greater Fall River. 6 or more grants, totaling $45,000, will be awarded. Funding for these grants is available through the generosity of the Charlton Charitable Trusts from the United Way’s 2007 Annual Campaign. Additional details regarding these grants can be obtained by contacting the United Way office.

The funding cycle for both programs begins August 15, 2008, with quarterly payments through June 2009.

All applications for this special grant funding must be submitted by Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

Applications can be obtained at the United Way office located at 80 North Main Street. If any organization has questions regarding the application process, please contact Bob Horne, Executive Director, at the United Way of Greater Fall River (508) 678-8361.

March 2008

United Way of Greater Fall River is pleased to announce that we will be accepting canned foods at all of our future events. In an efford to help those in need, especially in our local areas, we will be asking for all those who plan on attending our future events to bring a canned food item with them for donation to the Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry. Please help us make a difference. For more information about our future events, visit our website periodically, check with your local newspapers, or simply call our offices at (508) 678-8361.

March 2008

On March 26, 2008, United Way of Greater Fall River hosted its 61st Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner at the Venus de Milo Restaurant of Swansea, MA. This year's theme was "The Magic is U," an idea conjured up by Executive Director Robert Horne and the Special Events Commitee. Tables were adorned with tophats, bunnies, and gloves, courtesy of Ana Manchester from W.O.R.D, Inc. A magic show performed by magician Matt Roberts was a cause for delight and amazement. Our magician even graciously presented a few of this year's awards, including a surprise Thomas F. Cooney memorial award to this year's recipient, Wanda Gonzalez of International Specialty Products.

This year's Agency of the Year award was presented to the Arc of Greater Fall River. Lantern Leadership awards were given to BankFive and Citizens-Union Savings Bank. Colonial Wholesale Beverage, Co. provided us with the most long-term support and the Swansea School Department proved to be the most outstanding in regards to giving in education. Clear Channel Outdoor won our Outstanding Media Award for their generous donation of our billboard and National Grid won for their support of United Way by a regional company. Jason M. Rua departed as our Chairman of the Board, and Michelle Pelletier departed as our Campaign Chair. Our second surprise award of the night was presented to Mr. John F. Dator. He received the 4th Timothy J. Cotter Community Service Award for all he has been able to achieve and do for our communtity over the years.

Our Annual Meeting was held before the dinner and attended by our Board of Directors. During this meeting, departed board members were presented with certificates of appreciation. The recipients were as follows: Cynthia Gordan, Kevin McCarthy, Gail Ray, Geraldine Souza, Chief John M. Souza, and Susan Wilbur. We have enjoyed having you on our board and have appreciated the time and effort you have put into United Way. Special thanks to Geraldine Souza, who was one of our longest serving board members.

Thank you, everyone, for helping us make our 61st Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner a success.

February 2008

We ushered in 2008 with several changes in our office, both happy and sad.

Jessica Fernandes, our Communications Director, departed from our staff in order to pursue a new career closer to home. We wish her the best and know that she is destined for great things.

Solight Sou, formerly the administrative assistant here at our offices, is now Communications Coordinator. She will be in charge of our marketing department.

Recently hired as our new administrative assistant is Kristen Banville. Kristen will be assisting our Executive Director, Bob Horne, with day to day operations, traveler's aid, and scheduling.

January 2008

The United Way of Greater Fall River has received approval from the Rodgers Family Foundation for a $25,000 challenge grant for its annual campaign. The foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, all new or increased donations up to a maximum of $25,000 from now through the end of the campaign, which has been extended until January 31, 2008.

This is the fourth year that the Rodgers Family Foundation has presented this organization with such a challenge to encourage new and increased giving to the campaign. The United Way has been able to meet and match this challenge for the past two years and is optimistic that the community will help it to meet this goal a fourth time.

It is United Way's hope that people will realize how much help is needed throughout the city and give graciously. Every day our office receives calls from those in need and it is through your donations that we are able to offer the help necessary.

To make a donation, please contact our office at (508)678-8361 or simply make a donation online by clicking on "Donate Now" above.

With the help of donations from individuals like you, United Way was able to award 15 needy local agencies a total of $71,149 in Community Impact Grants and Investing in Families Grants. The Community Impact Grants were formally known as “venture grants.”

The grants and their amounts were as follows (listed in no particular order):

• $1357 Family Service Association’s Big Friends-Little Friends Book Club
• $4849 Family Service’s Arts for All Ages Program
• $8000 Fall River YMCA’s Healthy Kids Program
• $5000 Fall River YMCA’s Even Start Family Literacy Program
• $5000 Katie Brown Educational Program’s Teach the Teacher Program
• $3000 Henry Lord Middle School’s Community Service Program
• $4000 CDRec’s Neighborhood Fitness & Wellness Center
• $5000 Alcoholism Council’s Project New Beginnings Program
• $5000 SER-Jobs for Progress’ Socialization & Informational Group for Immigrant Seniors Program
• $7600 SSTAR’s Strengthening Families Program
• $3333 Residential Care Consoritium/Our Sisters’ Place’s LOFT Program
• $4000 South Coastal Counties Legal Services’ Cambodian Elder Law Project
• $6000 South Coastal Counties’ Project Grace Program
• $10,000 Boys’ & Girls’ Club for 2 separate afterschool programs.

September 2007

United Way launched its annual "Bowl-A-Rama" kick-off campaign with a loud bang in Wesport's Holiday Lanes. Over 100 people participated, resulting in a few strikes, a few spares, and even a few gutter balls. The kick-off, which serves as an awareness event, allowed several teams from area businesses and agencies to compete for prizes while also have plenty of fun.

Taking home first place and the Team Spirit Award was Slades Bank. Not too far behind in second place was BankFive. Lafrance Hospitality came in third.

Prizes and gift certificates were donated from local and area companies: Bank of Fall River, BankFive, BankNewport, Battleship Cove, Citizens Bank, Mallard Printing, People, Inc., Saint Anne’s Credit Union, Short Orders Take-out, Southcoast Hospitals, Sovereign Bank, Taco Bell of Dartmouth, and W.O.R.D., Inc. Team members gladly cooled down and reenergized themselves with refreshments and pizza donated from Domino’s Pizza on Pleasant Street, Ocean Spray of Wareham, and Pepsi Bottling Company in Taunton.

January 2007

The United Way of Greater Fall River has received approval from the Rodgers Family Foundation for a $25,000 challenge grant for its annual campaign. The foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, all new or increased donations up to a maximum of $25,000 from now through the end of the campaign, which has been extended until January 31, 2007.

This is the third year that the Rodgers Family Foundation has presented this organization with such a challenge to encourage new and increased giving to the campaign. The United Way has been able to meet and match this challenge for the past two years and is optimistic that the community will help it to meet this goal a third time.

“This challenge represents a tremendous opportunity for us to connect with more donors and generate new dollars as we enter the final month of our campaign,” said Bob Horne, Executive Director of the United Way. “We are grateful for the chance to help our campaign once again this year through the generosity of the Trustees of the Rodgers Family Foundation and in particular, Thomas A. Rodgers III.” For more information on donating to the United Way, please contact Bob Horne at 508-678-8361 or email uwgfr@aol.com.

December 2006

The United Way of Greater Fall River hosted its Annual Campaign Breakfast and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, December 12, at Venus de Milo in Swansea. Over 200 members of the community gathered to hear updates on this year’s campaign.

Jason Rua, United Way Board Chair and President of Rua-Dumont-Audet Insurance, thanked donors and community members for their time and support, but urged them to continue their efforts.

“We still need your help and your commitment to meet the challenges that lie ahead,” said Rua. “It would be helpful if everyone could make a key call or two. With three weeks left of this year, we still have time to get the job done.”

Mary Lynn Lenz, United Way Campaign Chair and President of Slade’s Ferry Bank, shared highlights and challenges faced during the campaign, which has been extended to January 31, 2007.

“As we anticipated, the 2006 campaign has been a challenge for us,” said Lenz. “We are working very hard to reach last year’s number, but we need the commitment of everyone in the room to make it happen.”

Lenz went on to highlight several successes thus far in the campaign, including a 23.6 percent increase over last year in employee pledges at her own Slade’s Ferry Bank. Citizens-Union Savings Bank reached the $40K mark in employee giving, an increase of 18.6 percent over last year. Saint Anne’s Hospital, with a 12.7 percent increase over last year, reached a total of over $22,500 in pledges. Lenz also highlighted major gifts from Stop & Shop's Distribution Facility in Assonet, the Rodgers Family Foundation, and the Koppelman Family Foundation, just to name a few.

The United Way also recognized and celebrated the commitment of some of its long-term volunteers. Sue Jenkinson of Residential Care Consortium, Our Sisters’ Place, and Katie Brown Educational Program, Ruth Hathaway of Hathaway Funeral Services, Peter Viveiros of the Alcoholism Council, and Ham Gravem of Citizens-Union Bank, were each honored for their long-term support and volunteer service to the United Way.

The United Way’s Special Events Committee also offered a fun addition to the Campaign Breakfast by singing “Campaign Carols.” The committee, made up of local volunteer professionals, recited campaign related lyrics to the tune of five traditional holiday songs.

Bob Horne, Executive Director of the United Way, also applauded eight volunteers for their help with this year’s campaign: Dawn Souza and Jennifer Martel of St. Anne’s Credit Union, Kate Hancock of Slade's Ferry Bank, Donna Medeiros of Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Diane Palmer of Saint Anne's Hospital, Kimberly Botelho and Donna Novo from BankFive, and Claire Dion of Bank of Fall River. These individuals volunteered to be part of the Loaned Executive program, where local firms allow the United Way to “borrow” an employee for two weeks during the campaign. For more information on the United Way or its campaign, please call 508-678-8361 or visit www.uwgfr.org.

Venture Grants 2006

November 1, 2006

Last Friday, the United Way of Greater Fall River awarded $43,654 in Venture and Investing in Families Grants to local agencies. United Way Executive Director Bob Horne distributed checks to representatives from nine different programs that support critical health and human service needs of children, elderly, immigrants, and families in Greater Fall River.

The grants ranged from $2380 for Family Service Association for its Family Focus program to just under $7000 to the Katie Brown Educational Program for its Student Outreach/Teach the Teacher program.

Seven other grants were also awarded to area agencies including $4564 to Steppingstone, Inc. for its Project Freedom program, $5000 to Greater Fall River Area School-to-Career Partnership for its Mentoring Program (a continuation of an existing learning and support mentoring program), $4000 for Bristol Elder Services for its Cambodian Meals Pilot, $5950 to Kuss Middle School for its Exchange City Program which provides real job and life experience to students, and $5000 to SER/Jobs for Progress for its Socialization and Informational Group for Immigrant Seniors program. Stanley Street Treatment & Resources (STARR) received $5000 in grant money to help fund its Strengthening Families program and Residential Care Consortium/Our Sisters’ Place received $4800 in funding needed to hire additional crisis intervention staff.

“I’m going to continue to lobby to keep this program going because it allows us to support up and coming projects that are ‘hot buttons’ in the community. It also allows us to fund agencies that are not part of the United Way,” said Bob Horne. "We are looking into some new funding opportunities that will hopefully allow us to offer more of these grants next year."

The United Way of Greater Fall River has been offering these Venture Grants since 1983. To date, the organization has awarded over $1 million in Venture and Investing in Families Grants to area programs and agencies. For information about the United Way of Greater Fall River, its agencies or the Venture Grant program, call 508-678-8361.

October 31, 2006

Local companies and organizations gathered together on Thursday afternoon to participate in the United Way’s annual Scavenger Hunt. Teams of three dressed up in Halloween costumes and headed over to Heritage State Park to receive their instructions. Each team traveled throughout Greater Fall River in search of items such as green nail polish, ski goggles, and a Massachusetts state quarter, earning two to six points per item.

In addition, teams had to answer questions listed in their Scavenger Hunt packets, including: "Which two flags fly in front of BankFive’s main branch?" and "In what year was ‘Rolling Rock’ preserved by the public?" Points were also earned by answering trivia, true/false questions, and solving brainteasers.

Bob Horne, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Fall River, explained that the event's purpose is to keep the United Way fresh in the minds of the community. He noted that the event was a friendly competition, allowing United Way agencies and businesses a chance to come together and have fun.

Teams were sent off at 2:15 PM and promptly returned to Heritage State Park at 4:30 PM for scoring by the United Way's staff and Special Events Committee. A pizza party sponsored by Domino's Pizza on South Main Street and Ocean Spray of Wareham followed the hunt.

"This year’s Scavenger Hunt incorporated many of our agencies and major donors within the hunt itself," said United Way Communications Director, Jessica Fernandes. "It was nice to be able to extend some extra visibility to some of the organizations that so generously support the United Way.” Participants were sent to find clues at places like Bittersweet Farm, the Boys' and Girls' Club, Feitelberg Insurance, and CDRec, just to name a few.

SSTAR came in first place in the hunt, with the Fall River YMCA coming in second, and Fall River Municipal Credit Union taking third. Prizes were donated by Avon, Bank of America, Bank of Fall River, BankFive, Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Mallard Printing, People, Incorporated, Roger Williams University, Saint Anne’s Credit Union, Simcock Farm, and Slade’s Ferry Bank.

If your company would like to participate in future events, or to donate to this year's campaign, please call the United Way at 508-678-8361.

United Way Kicks Off 2006 Campaign

Above: Stafford & Co. Insurance won the Team Spirit Award for its enthusiasm and "spirit wear" that included matching polo shirts and pompoms. (back row l-r) United Way Campaign Director Tom Walker, Stafford & Co. Insurance President James Kay, United Way Executive Director Bob Horne. (front l-r) Stafford & Co. Insurance staff - Ozzie Oliveira, Octavia Resendes, Stacey Varao, Annette Souza.

September 12, 2006

No need for suits and ties at this event. Blue jeans and bowling shoes were in order at the United Way’s annual campaign kick-off Tuesday afternoon. Over 125 people participated in this year’s “Bowl-A-Rama 2006” at Holiday Lanes in Westport.

“This is not a fundraising event. It’s a chance for our agencies and donors to come together and have fun at the start of our campaign,” said Bob Horne, United Way executive director. Bowling teams consisted of staff from area businesses and agencies such as BCP Bank, VNA, Steppingstone, Diabetes Association, Rua-Dumont-Audet Insurance, CDRec, and BankFive to name a few.

Though not professional bowlers – apparent by numerous gutter balls and unconventional bowling techniques – each team clapped and cheered in the hopes of winning a prize. Gift certificates and prize items were donated from various local and area companies: Taco Bell of Dartmouth, Short Orders Take Out, Bank of America, Knight’s Quality Service Station, St. Anne's Credit Union, Home & Garden Party, Southcoast Hospitals, Lepage’s Seafood, Mallard Printing, Bank of Fall River, People, Inc., BankFive, T.A. Restaurant, Slade’s Ferry Bank, and Roger Williams University. Pizza and juice bottles were also donated from Domino’s Pizza on Pleasant Street and Ocean Spray of Wareham.

United Way Campaign Chair and President of Slade’s Ferry Bank, Mary Lynn D. Lenz, took a moment to speak about the campaign at the end of the first string. She urged organizations to continue to give to the United Way and to help make this campaign successful for the benefit of those in need throughout Greater Fall River.

After all was said and done, first place went to the First Congregational Church for the third year in a row. Slade’s Ferry Bank placed second in the tournament, with SSTAR coming in third. Stafford & Co. Insurance won the Team Spirit Award for its enthusiasm and "spirit wear" that included matching blue and white polo shirts and pompoms.

The United Way raises roughly $2 million each year to help fund its 36 local health and human service agencies and programs. To donate to the United Way’s annual campaign, make checks payable to the United Way of Greater Fall River, P.O. Box 2550, Fall River, MA 02722. For information, please call 508-678-8361.

2 New Employees & 7 Loaned Executives for 2006