Author: Aviva Pinchas

Car Washing and Campaign

Michael Vivio, Publisher of the Austin American Statesman, talked about why getting involved and giving back to our community is so important to him and the employees of the newspaper. Thank you Austin American Statesman for your support throughout the year!

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Early Childhood Advocacy Opportunity — A Mentally Healthy Community Starts with its Children

Early Childhood Advocacy Update–while the event below has passed, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved with Early Childhood Advocacy in Central Texas: Attend Advocacy 101, A Lunch with Mark Strama Learn more about the United Way Success By 6 Program here. Get “hands on” with a Child Care Facilities Improvement Project here. Here is a great opportunity to become an Advocate in our community for Early Childhood education. United Way’s Sue Carpenter, Director, Success By 6, will present Incredible Years, a presentation on Early Childhood best practices. The Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force Monitoring Committee (MMHTFMC) is hosting a public forum, “A Mentally Healthy Community Starts with its Children,” focusing on Early Childhood Interventions (ECI) and its preventative impact on mental health disorders. The forum will be held Oct. 3, 2008 from 10 a.m. until noon at Austin City Hall’s City Council Chambers, with a welcoming address from Council Member Lee Lefingwell, followed by guest speaker Libby Doggett, Ph.D., Executive Director of Pre-K Now.

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Flextronics at the 2008 United Way Day of Caring

From tree trimming to tree-removal to improving child-care worker’s computer network to improving employee relations to building pint-sized picnic tables… The Flextronics team worked hard, had fun, and gave of their time and skills to help United Way give kids a successful start in school! On behalf of United Way Capital Area online casino and the staff and kids of Trinity Child Development Center…Thank you, Flextronics!

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National Instrument’s Manufacturing Division Rocks…

On August 21, 2008 National Instrument’s Manufacturing Division provided its employees an opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering with several nonprofit organizations. Hands On Central Texas, a program of United Way Capital Area helped plan and organize on-site the MLK Peace Bench Project. Approximately 45 employees worked together to foster a sense of teamwork which included painting, designing and choosing MLK quotes for imprint on the benches, as well as messages of peace or inspiring words. A total of 14 MLK Peace Benches were completed during National Instruments community service day! The benches will be distributed to recreation centers, community/neighborhood centers and nonprofit organizations to promote social interaction and to build a stronger sense of community. Thank you National Instrument’s Manufacturing Division for making an impact in the community through your volunteer efforts.

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2008 Fall Day of Caring video

Check out this short video of our 2008 Fall Day of Caring–you might be in it! If you participated in the Day of Caring, and would like to share your experience with us, please comment below. Thanks again to Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo, our signature sponsor Freescale Semiconductor, and all of the teams who participated in Day of Caring and embraced the idea of LIVE UNITED.

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What 2-1-1 is all about

We are getting so many incredible stories coming in from folks being helped at the 2-1-1 call center, but wanted to take a moment to share one especially rewarding one that came in yesterday. We received word that a gentleman called 2-1-1 Sunday in the heat of the aftermath of the hurricane, and got someone in the Austin office. He was experiencing a heart attack and the call specialist was able to get paramedics to his home. He called to say he survived his heart attack, and is recovering in the hospital. He wanted to express his sincere gratitude for 2-1-1 helping to save his life! At this point we have had about 143 volunteers since Thursday and we are open for 24/7 for a few days. 400 medical emergencies and search and rescue calls have been reported from our Austin call center alone – these are the life saving calls. We are currently at 96,000+ disaster calls for the state – over 1,000 calls per hour for food, water and ice from Houston alone.

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Volunteers needed all week (night & day) at 211 Texas!

We’re still getting loads of calls from Hurricane Ike evacuees. People want to know if they can go home, how to access services and help. You can help them this week!We need volunteers at the 211 Texas Call Center all week. Shifts are from 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-5:00pm, 5:00-11:00pm & 12:00am-7:00am. To sign up for a shift, go to www.handsoncentraltexas.org. Thanks,MandoDirector, Hands On Central Texas

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Hurricane Ike: Volunteer, Donate Food and Cash!

Here’s our latest update… VOLUNTEERS2-1-1 Texas needs help this weekend to help Hurricane Ike evacuees.The biggest needs are for tonight, midnight-7am & Saturday, 5-9pm, 9pm-12am & 12am-7am! !Sign up to volunteer now with 211 Texas! The Red Cross also needs help at the shelters. Training and a background check is required. Click here for more information. INKIND DONATIONSThe Capital Area Food Bank is taking emergency donations including bottled water, granola bars, canned meats (pop-top lids), peanut butter & diapers. Click here for more information. CASH DONATIONSClick here to give! Thanks for your help!

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