WATERLOO, IA –Cedar Valley United Way is in the final week of the 2013 campaign. Contributions for the campaign are being accepted through Friday, January 31. Money raised in the 2013 campaign will continue to provide grant funding for programs improving education, income and health in the Cedar Valley. Programs that have received funding in the past have included after-school and child care programs, disaster services, elderly transportation, community meals, help for victims of domestic violence and 2-1-1 Information and Referral services.
In addition to existing grant offerings, a special research and development fund will be available to programs to research root causes of poverty, identifying effective, holistic approaches to breaking the cycle of poverty. This research and development fund was created in response to a community needs assessment United Way commissioned in 2013. Application information for these new grants will be available later this year and will be chosen by Cedar Valley United Way’s Vision Council, a group of community volunteers who will provide strategic leadership and guidance to make sure programs receiving special response funds are consistent with United Way’s mission and goals.
“We would love to see an additional $10,000 to $15,000 to the 2013 campaign to help ensure the newly created Vision Council can fully implement these new research and development funds,” said Joe Vich, vice-chairman of Community National Bank and co-chair of the 2013 campaign. “Every dollar raised during the United Way campaign works right here in our community to make an impact.”
“United Way is seeing great results through its work in education, income and health, but it’s exciting to think what more could happen through the collaboration and partnerships possible through the research and development fund,” said Geof Grimes, a community volunteer leader and co-chair of the 2013 campaign. “A strong finish to the campaign will enable United Way to make an even bigger impact in our community.”
Final results of the 2013 campaign will be announced at the Breakfast of Champions, Thursday, February 6 at Park Place Event Centre, Cedar Falls. Tickets for the Breakfast of Champions are $10 per person or $80 for a table of 8. Reservations can be made online at www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org or by calling 319-235-6211. For more information on this event, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.
Contributions can be made to Cedar Valley United Way, 425 Cedar St., Suite 300, Waterloo, Iowa 50701, or by giving online at www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org. For more information about giving to the Cedar Valley United Way, call 319-235-6211.
###