Election Day is Tuesday, November 2nd!

I'm sure we're all equally tired of hearing about the upcoming mid-term election. Between the phone calls, radio ads, running political commentary on the news and those expensive tv spots, I've pretty much reached mid-term election exhaustion, and November 2nd has not yet arrived. I heard last Sunday that $3.5 million has been spent on advertisements for this election, when I hear that number, all I can think about is what kind of good work could be done with that money? I would venture to say that that $3.5 million has brought a lot of frustration, anger, irritation and perhaps worst of all - apathy to the voters in our country. We discuss Return on Investment on a fairly regular basis in the United States. What will that $3.5 million investment bring us?

I am going to urge you to go out and vote on Tuesday. It's your right as an American citizen and it's the one of the most simple ways to participate in our complicated political system. Not to mention, if you don't vote, you do give your vote away to somebody else who does.

We're electing a new governor. Regardless of which candidate wins, a new administration will bring various policy changes that will effect each and every one of us. The candidates have outlined their positions on the issues, and we'd like you to consider the following areas that are so critical to advancing the common good.

The benefits of early childhood education have been proven in countless studies. Programs such as Keystone STARS, Child Care Works, Pre-K Counts, and Head Start all work together to provide our children with high-quality Pre-K education. These programs deliver net benefits to society as much as $17 per dollar invested. Think of what $3.5 million could do here! Children enrolled in Pre-K programs are more likely to arrive at kindergarten ready and able to learn. This reduces the time that teachers must spend on remedial work and enables our kids to progress more quickly. It also reduces the likelihood that children will need to repeat a grade or enroll in more costly special education programs. While Pre-K education has proven benefits, we are still facing a tough economic climate. Even so, state government needs to remain committed to initiatives that work and provide value. Our new Governor must make sure that early childhood education programs are fully funded in order to protect the future of our commonwealth.

With winter's biting cold just around the corner, another important area of focus for the incoming administration is energy and utility assistance. A pressing and consistent issue facing Pennsylvanians in need is an inability to pay utility bills. Many factors contribute to this problem, including energy rate cap removal and an increase in cut-off households. Supplemented funding to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help as can a new focus on outreach to the folks who may be having trouble paying for their utilities.

Health is also an important issue that our new administration must take a look at. Pennsylvania has adopted a number of innovative programs and policies to help keep residents healthy while assisting those who need help. These include the PA Nurse Family Partnership, Early Intervention and disability services. We hope that our next Governor will continue funding to the programs that have demonstrated success in improving overall family and community health and welfare.

Also critical to Pennsylvanians is 211. We are only one of two states where the system is not active. 211 is an easy-to-remember phone number which anybody can dial for non-emergency human service needs. It is a single point of contact, providing information and referral providers who have access to the most comprehensive database on community service and nonprofit programs in their state. In the days following Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people in the affected area called 211 looking for help in locating shelter, family members, friends and other non-emergency assistance needs. Calls were routed to and handled by 211 in neighboring states where the infrastructure was not damaged or destroyed. Should we happen to have a particularly destructive weather event here, there isn't any one central place for people to call and get information. Despite the numerous community benefits and the cost savings to government that 211 presents, Pennsylvania continues to lag behind the rest of the country in developing a 211 system.

And finally, our new Governor must focus on budgetary reform. Our lawmakers and the Governor have been unable to agree on a budget for most of the past decade, resulting in several harmful stalemates. Budget delays are extremely detrimental to health and human service organizations that depend on budget funding for their operations. We should all be encouraging our new administration to develop and adopt policies that will facilitate timely budgets that promote the interest of the commonwealth and the people that live here.

As Pennsylvanians, we have an important upcoming choice, please make your voice heard by voting and advocating to the new administration on behalf of the common good. That's what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Strengthen Your Community & Learn New Skills!

Volunteer Opportunities

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an IRS-sponsored program brought to the North Penn and Indian Valley communities through a partnership between the North Penn United Way and the Greater North Penn Collaborative for Health and Human Services. The VITA program pairs community volunteers with low to moderate income individuals and families in the area--families that cannot afford to lose part of their refund to tax preparation fees or refund anticipation loan interest. These individuals and families may also be eligible for major tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (which can return up to $5,666 to a family with three qualifying children this tax season), and not know it. This can be a life-changing tax credit, but no family can claim it if they don't know about it. That's where VITA volunteers step in.

YOU can be an indispensable part of the impact this year.

Just last year, volunteers helped return $535,000 to individuals and families in the North Penn and Indian Valley communities. Just under $3.5 million dollars was brought back to the Montgomery County last year thanks to VITA volunteer efforts.

We can't do this without you.

We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the follow positions. Perhaps you are interested in being a tax preparer, but that's not the only way you can be involved:

Site Coordinators These volunteers are tasked with overseeing their VITA site. Site Coordinators are responsible for ensuring that all patrons receive quality, free services and that all procedures are being followed correctly. They should be friendly, organized and comfortable dealing with volunteers, stakeholders, partners and the public in a helpful and supportive manner. Site coordinators will also be trained and IRS-certified.

Interpreters Korean- and Spanish-speaking individuals.

Tax Preparers Volunteer Tax Preparers become IRS-certified to complete personal income tax returns for VITA clients. No experience necessary! Free training provided--it is self-paced and can be completed online.

Quality Reviewers Quality Reviewers become IRS-certified to complete and review personal income tax returns for VITA clients. These volunteers must be organized, have a great attention to detail and should have prior tax preparation experience either through VITA or work experience.

Greeters & Screeners These volunteers are responsible for surveying each taxpayer to ensure that they have proper documentation required to complete their tax return. Greeters & Screeners should be friendly and have the ability to communicate well with others.

Budget Coaches Budget Coaches offer VITA clients information on how to build a budget, money management and how to utilize other financial resources in the community. Free training is provided.

If you think one of these positions sounds like something you would enjoy, please consider volunteering for one 4-hour session per week during this 13-week tax season (January-April 2011). No previous math or accounting experience is necessary and all training will be provided. Liability coverage under the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 will apply.

For more information or to volunteer, send an email to Christa, c.detweiler@volunteermontco.org, or call 215-855-3319.

Play a part in improving the financial stability of families and increasing awareness of resources in your community! You can make a real difference this tax season.

All It Costs is a Little Love

Up until a couple of weeks ago, the American Red Cross was doing all it could to get a hold of me due to a critically low blood supply in the area. It seemed like every time they would call to tell me about a blood drive that was coming up, I was unable to make it due to conflicts in my schedule. Probably to their frustration more than mine, though I felt that it was important to make some time to go donate. I did manage to find some time to go donate blood at a drive in Hatfield last month, and I'm going to try to keep going every 56 days, which is how long you must wait in between donations.

When Christa, Heather and I were brainstorming ideas for this blog in our office, blood donation came up. I'm not really sure how our conversation made its way to this topic but we did come to the conclusion that giving blood is a great way to volunteer and to donate (not all donations are financial) and make an impact somewhere in the community. Thus, this is a way to LIVE UNITED!

According to the American Red Cross, somebody in the United States will need blood every two seconds, and we need about 38,000 blood donations daily to maintain that demand. That's 16 million units per year! For about an hour and fifteen minutes of your time, a little needle stick and one pint of your blood, you have the potential to save the lives of three people. That's quite the impact for very little involvement. And all it costs is a little love.

While I've been fortunate so far to never have been in the position to need donor blood, my daughter Natalie required it when she was just seven-months old, following the open heart surgery she needed to correct a heart defect. I have no way of knowing who donated the blood that she received, and though I won't ever know the answer I'm eternally grateful and indebted to those folks. Not to mention the good people at the blood bank who made sure the hospital had enough blood for Natalie and all the other patients who needed it. Natalie just marked her eight year post-op anniversary at the beginning of October and her prognosis remains great.

Who else needs blood? Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can require blood and blood products up to twice a day during treatment. A single car accident victim might need as much as 100 pints of blood. People with Sickle cell disease frequently need blood transfusions throughout their lives. And with less than 38% of the American population eligible to give blood, it's easy to see how it can be a challenge to for the supply to meet the demand.

I'd be remiss if I didn't offer you the opportunity to give blood, and while the North Penn United Way isn't hosting a blood drive, there is one at the Montgomery County Dispatch Center (you might know it more commonly as the place where your 911 call gets answered) on October 27th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Montgomery County Dispatch Center is located at 50 Eagleville Road in Eagleville, PA. You may make an appointment for this blood drive online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/ and entering sponsor code 14633. If this date or location doesn't work for you, you can search for other blood drive dates in the area at that same website. Please remember that new blood donations are constantly needed. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection, and platelets must be used within 5 days of collection.

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who help paint the exterior of Generations of the Indian Valley on Monday!! The fresh coat of paint received many compliments from Generations patrons!

Below are a few pictures of our wonderful volunteers in action!

North Penn United Way at the Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

Christa, Inger, Cyndi, Amita, Kim, and I sat at the North Penn United Way's table at this 14th annual business expo on October 7th from 12 PM-6:30 PM at the Indian Valley Country Club. The theme of the expo was "Forty and Fabulous...Celebrating the Voice of Business in the Indian Valley," and we, like many other organizations represented, chose to decorate like we would for a birthday party. Please see the photo of the blow-up birthday cupcake, which made us feel very festive.

We gave away a jar of Hershey kisses and a Live United t-shirt to the person who guessed closest to the number of kisses the jar contained. Thanks to all who participated!

Invitations and registration forms were available at the table for our big upcoming event, the "Creating Focus for Community Change" summit scheduled for Wednesday, November 10th. See Christa's post titled "You're Invited" to see what this summit is all about, and call us at 215-855-3002 to reserve your spot.

We also provided expo attendees with information about volunteer opportunities through the North Montco Volunteer Center and the North Penn United Way. There are many, many ways to get involved in the community by volunteering! Visit our website, http://www.npuw.org/, or call us at 215-855-3002 to find out more.

Univest Corporation of PA Kicks Off Annual Workplace Campaign

I had the privilege and honor of attending Univest’s workplace campaign kickoff on October 6th at the Indian Valley Boys & Girls Club in Souderton. The indoor turf field was humming with excitement as Janet Whitehead; Employee Campaign Chair for Univest introduced us to her team. This year, Univest employees have been challenged to “step up their giving game” and have set an ambitious goal of $80K. Judging by the excitement and the energy in the room, I think that they’ll hit that fundraising goal before the clock runs down in the 4th quarter!

Because of their contagious enthusiasm and team spirit, it is truly enjoyable to spend time with these folks. They’re not only a valued and a dedicated community partner for the North Penn United Way - Univest employees are some of our most active volunteers! These fine people do a great deal for the betterment of our hometowns in many ways. Thanks again, Univest, for all that you do here in the North Penn and Indian Valley communities!

10 Things We'd Like to Share

1. The North Penn United Way services the towns in the North Penn and Souderton Area School Districts. Like all United Ways, we are independently incorporated and are governed by a board of directors composed of volunteers, many of whom are local business leaders in our community.
2. We’re not your mother and father’s United Way. We’re transitioning to a Community Impact model, focusing on building relationships and working to improve the Education, Income and Health for all members of our community!
3. The North Penn United Way does in fact fund the Boy Scouts - Cradle of Liberty Council and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc. We do not fund Planned Parenthood. Because each United Way is independently incorporated and governed, this may not be the case for every United Way across the country.
4. Money raised during our annual workplace campaigns goes back out to the community. For every $1 invested, $41 is returned to our local community in the form of programming and support services. Our Community Impact investments have been steadily increasing for the past four years, and our intent is to continue to focus financial and volunteer resources in our community’s most pressing areas.
5. Our office is composed of five full-time employees, 1 part-time employee and 2 AmeriCorps VISTA members. We’re situated in Hatfield Township, upstairs from the Harleysville Savings Bank Branch on Cowpath Road.
6. Helping our neighbors in need is not as easy as solving one problem. Each problem people face can lead to others, causing a ripple effect throughout kin and community. That’s why in these tough times our community counts on United Way because of the safety net of services we help support. By assisting more than 30 local programs and services, the chances are good that when someone is in need they are getting help from a United Way supported agency.
7. A little bit about what we do. We help fund: literacy programs for children, before and after school childcare programs, Meals on Wheels, cancer support groups, food pantries, counseling for teens with behavioral issues, therapeutic horseback riding lessons, occupational therapy for the disabled and emergency food and shelter programs.
8. In the past three years, we’ve implemented Stuff the Bus, collecting over a thousand backpacks for low income elementary school students, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and opened the North Montco Volunteer Center. We’re really just getting started!
9. We are open and transparent. More than 750 local volunteers partner with us in every aspect of our work. This includes deciding how campaign funds should be allocated. Our 990 is available on our website, and United Way of America has earned a three-star rating from Charity Navigator for effectiveness and responsibility.
10. Being an advocate doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to take part in a political campaign or a rally. Simply put, you can be an advocate by standing up for others and what you believe in. You can help champion a cause, or simply tell your neighbor why it’s important to support United Way. Anyone can do it. Whether you’re talking to your coworker about organizing a food drive, or attending a town hall meeting about after-school programs for kids, you can improve life in the North Penn and Indian Valley communities. Speak up and advocate for the things you care about!

You're Invited!

The North Penn United Way is sponsoring Creating Focus for Community Change Summit 2010 on November 10^th at Branch Creek Community Church.  Over 500 community leaders have been invited to come together seeking solutions to major community issues. The community is encouraged to join these leaders to assist in identifying goals and indicators in the focus areas of Education, Financial Stability for Families, and Health.  Consultants will conduct sessions and help develop strategies with the hope of creating improved quality of life for those living in the North Penn and Indian Valley communities.  Now is the time to address the underlying causes of several major issues our communities face today.  Pre-Registration is required.  The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude around 12:30.  To register, or for more information, please call Cyndi Koenig or Kim Hedrick of the North Penn United Way (215) 855-3002.