Help Quake Survivors in Haiti

Dear friends,

Below is a message from United Way Worldwide’s Linda Daily, Director of 2-1-1 and Interim Crisis Director, regarding the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Thank you,

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

---

Dear Colleagues:

On the evening of January 12, 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. It is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years. The tremor struck 15km (10 miles) south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. Reports describe the destruction to affect as much as 70 percent of the buildings, with debris filling the roads making emergency response difficult. The Prime Minister reported on January 13 that hundreds of thousands of lives may have been lost.

You can help people affected by donating to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund.

Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.

United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your staff who have family and friends in Haiti and the Caribbean region.

Please feel free to pass this information along.

Thank you and take care,

Linda

Linda Daily / Director, 2-1-1/Interim Crisis Director CILL / United Way Worldwide
tel: +1 703.836.7112 x 474

MLK Weekend of Service In the News

We're a week away from the start of the four-day MLK Weekend of Service volunteer blitz, and volunteer slots for more than 60 projects are almost full. Marking the third year that United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is hosting volunteer projects, this weekend of service is the largest thus far.

United Way's MLK Weekend of Service covers the four-county Portland-Vancouver metro region. The volunteer blitz is organized in partnership with Hands On Greater Portland.

Check out this wonderful story on MLK Weekend of Service by Oregonlive.com's Shop Oregon blogger Jen McCabe.

Also today, The Oregonian's Susan Green posted a short story on the MLK project at Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, a mental health clinic for low-income adults in North Portland.

Young Leaders Holiday Party

Members and friends of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette Young Leaders Society gathered for a holiday celebration at Seven Planet, a "green" general store located in Portland's stylish Pearl District. YLS asked guests to bring new toys, scarves and socks. All donations collected were given to the Salvation Army.

The United Way Young Leaders Society (YLS) is a group of young professionals ages 21-40 in the Portland-Vancouver metro region that aims to develop the community's next leaders in both the business and civic arenas. Members want to grow professionally and personally and are committed, compassionate and generous individuals who want to make a difference in our community. learn more

Target Christmas Trees at IRCO

Each year, Target stores in the Portland metro area donate their display holiday trees to local nonprofits. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette has been coordinating with Target stores in getting the trees to agencies and the families they serve.

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), one of the United way's partner agencies, received nine trees, which they gave away to families during the Parenting Program's annual holiday celebration, held Dec. 21. The trees -- complete with garlands, lights, ornaments, and other trimmings -- were entered in a drawing. IRCO staff members helped the winning families take down the trees so they can bring them home in time for Christmas.

Thanks to the hard work of James Dillard, United Way Community Account Executive, for his work in coordinating pickup and delivery of the trees from area Target stores.



Pictured above are IRCO staff and families who gathered for the annual Parenting Program celebration

NW Natural Warm Zone Dec. 19-20

NW Natural’s Gas Assistance Program (GAP) is an important initiative that helps low-income customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington keep the heat on. NW Natural shareholders cover all administrative fees so every single penny donated goes directly to the program.

In an effort to really help those struggling customers, NW Natural has already contributed $50,000 this year, and will match up to $25,000 more for a total of $75,000. The donation comes out of the company’s Corporate Philanthropy Fund. NW Natural hopes its customers and the general public will support this program as this is a key initiative the season.

If you're in donwtown Portland this weekend, stop by the NW Natural Warm Zone, enjoy a warm fireplace and shelter from the Oregon weather while learning about the Gas Assistance Program. Learn more about GAP

(Pictured above are NW Natural's Jenna Cooper Gross and Robin Dady, with Christy Caplan, from Sundrop Media)

Most Admired Nonprofits

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette was once again named to the Portland Business Journal's list of Most Admired Nonprofits in the state of Oregon.

More than 120 nonprofits most admired by Oregon CEOs. According to Publisher Craig Wessel, the intent of the awards is to recognize companies and organizations "that CEOs deem to be the very best organizations in the region."

Pictured above is Marc Levy, United Way CEO and President, who accepted the award at a luncheon held at the Hilton in downtown Portland. This is the third year in a row that United Way has received the prestigious award.

To identify award winners, the Portland Business Journal sent out surveys to more than 2,000 CEOs throughout Oregon, and asked them to select the three companies they most admire in eight industries: technology, agriculture, nonprofits, health care, financial services, professional services, commercial real estate and traditional manufacturers. Nonprofits named by responding CEOs received points based on if they were identified as a first, second or third choice. The points were then tabulated.

Read the Portland Business Journal article on the award winners.

Free Tax Preparation

Community Housing Resource Center in Clark County is among the agency partners of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette in implementing free tax preparation help to low-income people who may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Thanks to Teri Duffy for highlighting the partnership in CHRC's latest newsletter.

The EITC program is an important component of United Way’s focus on financial stability. Many taxpayers do not know that they may be eligible to get tax refunds through EITC, and millions of refund dollars go unclaimed each year. In addition, barriers to access to mainstream banks and tax help providers steer many low-income families to tax preparation services that charge high fees.

Read a success story from last year's EITC outreach.

For the 2010 tax season, a large majority of United Way EITC programs in the four-county area will begin around February. Stay tuned for more details about participating agencies, or how to volunteer as a tax preparer.