Monday, September 26, 2011

Jacobs Engineering Living United

Jacobs Engineering just kicked off their United Way Community Giving Campaign with a staff volunteer service day organized by United Way. The group from Jacobs was matched up with a service project at Oregon Food Bank. Thanks for LIVING UNITED Jacobs Engineering!

(L to R): Michael Braschayko, Jack Sabin and Operations Manager Gil Hulden
(L to R): front row - Jeanne Brown, Kathy Scheel, Carolina Conway, Holly Gerloff, Molly Schultz
back row - Gil Hulden, John Hungate, Jack Sabin, Matt Schultz, Michael Braschayko

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Pacific Power Tees Off their Giving Campaign


The Pacific Power first annual United Way Golf Tournament on September 16th at Chehalem Glenn  Golf Course in Newberg was executed with great success! The tournament hosted 112 players and over 25 sponsors to raise money for United Way. 
Pacific Power is also a member of United Way's Cornerstone Partners which means they are one of the 17 local companies who have chosen to designate their corporate gifts to the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, to help underwrite operating costs. Because of their support, 100% of contributions received will be invested in local programs to help people in need.

Teams had the pleasure of playing one of the most challenging courses in the Northwest, while supporting long lasting change in our community through United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

All proceeds went to United Way’s Community Impact Fund, creating opportunities for a better life for all in our four-county Portland/Vancouver metro area by focusing on improving education, income and health, the building block for a good quality of life.

In addition to contributions from sponsors and participants’ green fees, money was also raised through the sale of Mulligans and Hole-in-One chances. Golfers and volunteers convened for a BBQ lunch after the tournament where awards were announced and door prizes given to a few lucky winners. All in all, the fundraiser was a great success and a lot of fun for those involved. 

Pacific Power Golf Committee
The tournament was organized by Pacific Power’s Golf Committee, chaired by John Aniello and Francine Sullivan. In addition to putting on this terrific event, Pacificorp and Pacific Power run an outstanding United Way Community Giving Campaign and participate in corporate volunteer projects. 



A big thank you to Pacific Power employees for their generous support!

Check out more photos from the tournament

Update: 
Pacific Power created these great photo collages from the tournament, check them out! Clicking on them will bring them up bigger for better viewing.



 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Families are at Risk: Help Restore the Emergency Food & Shelter Program


For nearly half of Americans surveyed in the August 27, 2011 WSJ/NBC News poll, the lasting recession and painfully slow recovery has carried more of a personal impact in the past decade than the events of September 11, 2001 or the following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Families have grown increasingly concerned about their personal finances.

And with good reason, unemployment remains high and with it has come the loss of health insurance, leaving families at risk of financial disaster in the case of illness or medical emergency. Along with this, foreclosures are in a holding pattern, leaving families unsure if they will have a house to call home next month. And, as poverty rates increase more people are cutting their personal budgets for items like food and electricity, even as these prices are on the rise.

The loss of a job can mean family disaster, as was the case with a young couple, Karen and Matt and their new baby. Like so many young families, they were just getting by until Matt lost his job. The job loss hit them hard and they quickly went through their savings and could no longer pay their rent. Karen and Matt were afraid of being on the streets.

Fortunately, they connected with a program funded by United Way of the Columbia-Willamette's Community Relief Fund which assisted them by paying for two months of rent. The program also helped them get unemployment insurance and food stamps and worked with them to set a budget. The family is now up to date on their rent and managing their income. Thanks to United Way donors they are now standing on their own.

Families like Karen and Matt’s are served by projects funded through the Community Relief Fund and other resources are also available in the Portland area. One crucial resource is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), a federal program that provides emergency funds to families at risk. This year, at a time when the need is greatest, EFSP funding for the Portland region was eliminated.

You Can Help!

Without restoration of Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds more families will be at risk. That is why we urge you to act today by contacting your congressperson and ask them to restore funding for this vital program. Together we can make a difference for families in our region.

In addition, you can help us reach many more families and individuals by donating to the Community Relief Fund. Consider making a donation today.