UNITED WAY

Local figures suggest 41% of disabled people in Fredericksburg struggle to pay for basic needs.

A line of cheerleaders from the Marine Military Academy greet attendees Executive Director Jennifer Allen of United Way of Northern Cameron County and her daughter Taylor as they enter the venue Friday during the annual HCISD Football Coaches Forum at the Hilton Garden Inn.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)

This year, United Way and its partners raised enough funds to buy supplies wholesale for 25,000 students.

Students do not need to apply to receive free meals. All enrolled students in the district are eligible.

Many child care centers that remain open are now struggling to find enough staff to operate at full capacity.

A local nonprofit is helping teachers restock their classrooms ahead of the upcoming school year.

Operation Supply Our Schools aims to provide 25,000 students with school supplies.

A new online tool is letting people experience some of the difficult choices local families must make due to financial hardships.

The Brownsville Wellness Coalition Food Bank RGV and United Way of Southern Cameron County helped local families Friday during a drive-thru emergency food distribution drive at the Brownsville Events Center. “One of the main goals is to distribute protein and produce along with canned goods,” Jessica Molina, wellness coordinator for the Brownsville Wellness coalition, told The Brownsville Herald. Asked how important it is to have food drives amid rising prices for food items, Molina replied: “It’s huge. And that’s OK, we’re here to educate also.”The next food drive will be held July 1, with a location to be determined. For information on the upcoming food drive or how to volunteer or donate, visit the organization’s Facebook page at Brownsville Wellness Coalition or its Instagram: @brownsvillewellnesscoalition.

With food prices rising, United Way of Southern Cameron County and other organizations have stepped up to help. The organizations, which include Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, will hold a drive-thru food distribution event from 8 to 11 a.m. – or until supplies last – Friday at the Brownsville Event Center, located off Paredes Line Road in Brownsville. During that first event, motorists waited in line overnight to ensure they would receive groceries. “We know that we do have people waiting overnight to get food and we don’t encourage it. Organizers anticipate the food distribution events to continue through the summer.

The "Making Tough Choices" website demonstrates how working parents struggle to balance their family budget with basic needs and modest desires.

A new program aims at improving math performance for children of color.

The Uvalde Strong Survivors Fund will provide long-term financial assistance to survivors and the Uvalde Strong Fund will support area nonprofits assisting them.

Some rental and mortgage assistance is set to run out June 30 and agency workers worry about the impact on the needy.

The New Braunfels Fraternal Order of Eagles made a $300,000 donation to United Way of Comal County last Thursday using some of the profits from the recent sale of Eagles

A traveling exhibition on display through April 9 at Texas Southmost College aims to dispel misconceptions aboout human trafficking and combat its prevalence by providing resources to help victims become survivors. “Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” employs museum-style poster boards in English and Spanish that guide visitors through all aspects of human trafficking. The National Human Trafficking hotline defines human trafficking as the business of stealing freedom for profit. The exhibition uses five guiding questions to help visitors understand the issue and how they can help:>> What is human trafficking? >> Polaris Project, which operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and provides resources on sex and labor trafficking.

If you or your children are on Spring Break right now, it is a perfect time to help those in the community who need it most.

The United Way is kicking off its 8th annual Shoebox Project by collecting shoeboxes filled with everyday toiletries to be distributed to people in need.

More than $10,000 in monetary donations were collected for eight families in need whose stories The Monitor told as part of its Spirit of Christmas campaign in December, a partnership with the United Way of South Texas.

More than $10,000 in monetary donations were collected for eight families in need whose stories The Monitor told as part of its Spirit of Christmas campaign in December, a partnership with the United Way of South Texas.

To promote early childhood literacy, volunteers with the United Way of the Coastal Bend read to students at West Oso ISD's John F. Kennedy Elementary.

The United Way of Laredo, Inc. will be having a proposal preparation workshop for...

Mano Amiga, United Way and Hays Latinos United and numerous organizations have teamed up with Sendero Health Plans and Walgreens to offer free doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as booster [San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors for United Way of Laredo, Inc., out-going...

The price of that house with the white picket fence is climbing, and the number available to buy is dwindling.

CORRECTION

The United Way of Comal County provides funding to more than 30 local service organizations.

The United Way of Southern Cameron County's second annual United We Give online fundraiser was a success.

United Way of South Texas and AIM Media Texas are set to kick off their annual Spirit of Christmas campaign.

United Way of South Texas and AIM Media Texas are set to kick off their annual Spirit of Christmas campaign.

Ride United serves as a resource to those with limited access to transportation to get to and from essential appointments for such things as COVID-19 vaccinations or other medical needs.

LEGION AUXILIARY HONORS CENTENARIAN; VOLUNTEER WITH TAX PROGRAM; SENIOR CENTER HOURS; CRAFTERS, VENDORS NEEDED

Kids had a hand in designing a new playground project in Brownsville’s Monte Bella Park. Performing the actual construction were volunteers from the city of Brownsville, United Way of Southern Cameron County, RGV Focus and StriveTogether.

The United Way's Rent and Mortgage assistance program is available for individuals and families who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.

More than 300 volunteers with the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County honored the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Friday by building 1,200 Family Emergency Preparedness Starter Kits for local families in support of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (9/11 Day).

Brownsville entrepreneur Michael Limas, an executive member of the board of directors of the United Way of Southern Cameron County, chaired last year’s fundraising drive, which went virtual due to the pandemic.

Since April of 2020, United Way of Southern Cameron County implemented its program “United Against Hunger” where they distribute thousands of food bags every Friday so that those who have been impacted the hardest due to the pandemic could have food on their table.

Operations Supply our Students helps students across 10 Coastal Bend counties, including Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces and San Patricio.

The United Way of Miami-Dade has partnered with the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald to bring artwork to Surfside survivors following the devastating condo collapse.

When Trent Stinson was a 15-year-old growing up in Richmond, he was devastated by the death of a middle school student who hanged himself to escape daily bullying.

United Way of Southern Cameron County has partnered with the City of Brownsville, RGV Focus and Kaboom to increase access to a new, kid-designed playground in an area experiencing a play desert such as the Monte Bella Park.

Eviction or foreclosure is a top concern of households identified as ALICE—an acronym for asset limited, income constrained, employed—during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted by the Rappahannock

Over the last year, we have seen inequities and disparities come to light, including long lines at the San Antonio Food Bank and numerous people losing their jobs throughout the course of the pandemic.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah – Christmas lights are a tradition unlike any other, especially for one family in Utah. The United Way of Utah County is family’s chosen cause to support this year. The “Hamilton” social media pages even shared the video of the family’s Christmas display as well, and it landed over 1 million views and counting so far. Click here to be taken to follow the house on social media and click here to see their channel on Youtube. Related: Windcrest couple chosen to compete on ABC’s ‘Great Christmas Light Fight’

click to enlarge Twitter / @safoodbankVolunteers unload pallets at a recent San Antonio Food Bank distribution. San Antonio Food BankEasterseals Rehabilitation Center, San AntonioGoodwill Industries of San AntonioYWCA San AntonioLiftFundPalo Alto CollegeUnited Way of San Antonio and Bexar CountySeven San Antonio nonprofits received donations from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, who announced Tuesday that she'd given away $4.2 billion in the past four months.In an article posted on Medium , Scott — the ex-wife of Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos — unveiled the gifts she'd made to 384 organizations, including the following in the Alamo City:Scott's San Antonio donations included $20 million to the United Way of San Antonio, $10 million to small-business lender LiftFund and an “eight-figure gift” to Palo Alto College, according to the San Antonio Report “This pandemic has been a wrecking ball in the lives of Americans already struggling,” Scott wrote in her piece on Medium. “Economic losses and health outcomes alike have been worse for women, for people of color, and for people living in poverty. Meanwhile, it has substantially increased the wealth of billionaires.”

SAN ANTONIO – MacKenzie Scott, a novelist and philanthropist, has broken records while making donations to several San Antonio organizations that address income inequity and povertyScott first announced news of a $4.2 billion donation to 384 organizations across the United States on social media. Other San Antonio organizations included in Scott’s list are YWCA San Antonio, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio, the San Antonio Food Bank and Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. Officials at Palo Alto College and United Way San Antonio and Bexar County both said her donation is the largest one ever made to their organizations. It is unparalleled for our United Way and for its ability to create transformational change,” said Kim Lubel, chair of the nonprofit’s Board of Trustees. Palo Alto College plans to use its donation to fund scholarships through AlamoPROMISE, increase resources at the college’s S.H.A.R.E.

click to enlarge Courtesy Gruene Historic DistrictSponsorship representatives present a check to United Way of Comal County. The annual Gruene Music & Wine Festival typically takes place over four days in the Texas Hill Country destination's historical district. Not so this year. The pandemic got in the way.Undaunted, the organizers took it virtual in October — and now are revealing that they still raised $82,832.29 for United Way of Comal County.The online fest included a guitar auction, a raffle, guided wine and beer tastings, and naturally, live music. Among the featured performers were Waco-born country artist Wade Bowen and Bret Graham, Gruene Hall's regular emcee.The organizers even sold T-shirts emblazoned with the 2020-appropriate tagline “Drinkin’ From Home.”The United Way of Comal County provides support funding to 32 area health and human care service agencies, including CASA of Central Texas, Hope Hospice, New Braunfels Food Bank and River City Advocacy.

These are the holiday events, programs and other offerings from the Pearl this year:Holiday Gifting 4 Good: The Pearl and the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County will partner for Holiday Gifting 4 Good. The program allows shoppers to buy gift packages from businesses at the Pearl, with a portion of the proceeds going to the United Way. The program allows shoppers to buy gift packages from businesses at the Pearl, with a portion of the proceeds going to the United Way. Pearl Farmers Market holiday gift boxes: From Nov. 27-Dec. 18, shoppers can buy curated gift boxes filled with goods from regional producers, farmers and business owners. Orders From Nov. 27-Dec. 18, shoppers can buy curated gift boxes filled with goods from regional producers, farmers and business owners.

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County invites you to submit an application for its Community Champions Spirit of SA Awards. United Way Impact Areas:Ready Children ensures all children grow up in safe, stable and nurturing environments, are healthy in mind, body and spirit and are ready to enter kindergarten and succeed in school. Strong Individuals and Families ensures all individuals and families are stable, flourish economically, reach their full potential and maintain a quality of life free of discrimination. Safety Net supports short-term emergency and disaster assistance to help stabilize individuals and families, meeting their most immediate needs. KSAT Community operates in partnership with University Health, Energy Transfer and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.

San Antonio – United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County’s program “Get Shift Done for San Antonio” will end in just a few weeks, and some are worried about what’s next. Along with the San Antonio Food Bank, other non-profits like Haven for Hope and Catholic Charities participated as well. That changed when “Get Shift Done for San Antonio” connected her to the San Antonio Food Bank. The city of San Antonio also has the COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Program that aims to help city residents by connecting them with other job opportunities. RELATED: New workforce program will help Bexar County residents unemployed due to COVID-19

SAN ANTONIO – KSAT Community is partnering with United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County in the community-wide “Thank-A-Thon” virtual messaging campaign for individuals who wish to thank those performing vital services serving others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Help thank our healthcare professionals, first responders, teachers, education leaders, grocery and foodservice workers, researchers, scientists, small business employees and childcare staff members. To participate, go online and select a category and greeting card design (in English or Spanish), write a message and click submit. United Way Volunteer Center staff will distribute the pdf messages to the selected group’s public affairs and community engagement departments for sharing with their frontline workers. KSAT Community operates in partnership with University Health System, Energy Transfer and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.

Both nonprofits are among the 103 local groups recently granted emergency funding through the COVID-19 Response Fund, administered by the San Antonio Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. An advisory council made up of representatives from both the Area Foundation and United Way, as well as some of their funders, have approved grants weekly. The TNC-sponsored Big Give is continuing to collect donations on its website for nearly 300 area nonprofits. But the depth and the breadth of this partnership and the intensity has absolutely deepened the relationship that we have with the United Way, she said. Disclosure: The San Antonio Area Foundation is a financial supporter of the Rivard Report.

The COVID-19 Response Fund, administered by the San Antonio Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, will help nonprofits that address the impact of work lost or reduced due to the novel coronavirus and that provide economically vulnerable populations immediate needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund is a way to truly make a difference in lives disrupted.The San Antonio Area Foundation, which is hosting the fund, has teamed up with partners such as the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the 80|20 Foundation, Tobin Endowment, Greehey Family Foundation, Wells Fargo, Mays Family Foundation, Bank of San Antonio, NuStar Energy, H. E. Butt Foundation, Harvey E. Najim and the Najim Charitable Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. The San Antonio Area Foundation is handling donations from philanthropists and organizations, while the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County has set up a website for individual donations of $25 or more. Strengthening the infrastructure of our nonprofit network is critical to the immediate response and longer-term recovery for our communitys children, individuals and families.The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County will co-administer the COVID-19 Response Fund. Individuals interested in donating to the fund can do so at the United Ways COVID-19 Response Fund website, helpsatx.org, or by texting HELPSATX to 41444.

The City of San Antonio will receive $280,200 from the federal government as reimbursement for migrant aid-related expenses, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) said Thursday. The reimbursement funding came from a $30 million measure that was included in an emergency funding package. Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio was allocated $361,000, the largest sum of all local organizations that applied for federal reimbursement. The San Antonio Food Bank will get $62,500, while United Way of San Antonio will get $12,900. The church did not apply for federal reimbursement as it was contracted for its services, Woosley said.

click to enlarge Jim FlynnThe 33rd Annual Gruene Music and Wine Fest + Craft Beer Event returns to Gruene's historic district to showcase more than 100 Texas wines, along with local eats, brews and live music performances.The four-day event hosted by Gruene Hall and KNBT 92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels aims to celebrate the best of Texas food, wine and craft beer, while raising funds for the United Way of Comal County. In 2018, the festival reportedly raised more than $150,000 for United Way of Comal County.This year's festivities kick off on Thursday, October 10 and include several curated dinners offering both VIP and General Admission ticket options, wine and beer tastings, and a lineup of local food trucks. Attendees can also choose to purchase separate tickets to the nightly music performances at Gruene Hall with The Bacon Brothers on Thursday, a sold-out Tanya Tucker show on Friday, and the Casey Donahew Band on Saturday. Full details can be found on the festival's website, gruenemusicandwinefest.org Individuals must be at least 21 years old to attend.

Cameron Boyce's friends and fans are honoring him after his death. "Cameron Boyce (@thecameronboyce) worked hard to help other people through great charitable organizations like @thirstproject & @launitedway," Sandler, who started Facebook fundraisers for both charities, wrote on Instagram. We will honor #CameronBoyces legacy by fighting for this basic human right ," the Thirst Project wrote on Twitter in response to Sandler's support. "Now is the time to make a change," Boyce's dad wrote on Instagram in reference to the foundation. RELATED CONTENT:'Descendants' Star Sofia Carson Pens Heartbreaking Tribute to Late Co-Star Cameron BoyceCameron Boyce's Sister Pens Heartbreaking Note Recalling the 'Hours Before He Died''Descendants 3' Premiere Canceled: How Disney Channel Is Honoring Cameron Boyce's Death

Volunteers renovate home for 87-year-old blind veteran A group of volunteers from Home Depot and United Way in Michigan transformed a disabled veteran's house into an outdoor oasis. WNEM-TV's Craig McMorris reports.