United Way of St. Johns County: Blog Posts

Office for Rent

Ann Breidenstein

Office for Rent

The United Way of St. Johns County will have an office available for rent on August 1, 2011. Monthly rent of $400 includes utilities (except phone) including wireless. The office is approximately 20' x 12'. Large Conference room available, security, office cleaning, parking. For more information, call Ann at 829-9721

This Thanksgiving

Ann Breidenstein

On this Thanksgiving week, United Way of St. Johns County has much to be thankful for – a caring, supportive community, a dedicated board of directors, and wonderful partner agencies, volunteers and staff.

Although the campaign has been challenging at times, the enthusiasm we have seen from employee groups, the positive response from residents to our mailing campaign, new employee campaigns, and the renewed corporate support has consistently rejuvenated the energy of all involved in the fundraising campaign to raise $1,250,000.

Home Again St. Johns, our community’s initiative to reduce homelessness, including the 261 homeless children attending our schools, has been an inspiring experience due to the excellent leadership of our chair, Mike Davis, and the providers and businesses who are meeting regularly to strategize and collaborate on service provision. If you are interested in working with us, call David Hoak at United Way, 829-9721.

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving, and thank YOU for your support and caring!

Comments and Campaign!

Ann Breidenstein

Well, we have been informed that a comments section opens our website up to all sorts of security issues...so until we have that squared away, we will greatly except all comments and suggestions at ann.breidenstein@firstcoastunitedway.org or 829-9721 (Ann).
Busiest campaign I can remember. Lots of special events and the general campaign, with initiatives and new ideas popping up everywhere! Our Nancy's husband has been ill leaving us without an important member of our staff for awhile - do we need help at the office? - oh, yes! Call me at 829-9721. We are grateful for our Vista Volunteer, Lynn and the interns from St. Johns River Community College - they are a big help!
We have a lot more to do to reach our goal of $1,250,000. If your organization or business would like to have an employee campaign and/or donate a corporate gift, we would be most appreciative. The numbers of residents this year who need help has increased 30% or more in some agencies. Please let me know if you can assist with a fundraiser or company support. Every dollar helps and every dollar matters. No gift is too small. Take a look at how your donation can make a difference:
$1 a pay period (one Lotto ticket):
                Provides 5 senior citizens with a home-cooked meal and social activities.
$2 a pay period (two packs of gum):
                Provides a home-bound senior citizen with 20 home-delivered meals.
$3 a pay period (a box of cookies):
                Keeps the water turned on for a family or senior citizen.
$4 a pay period (a fancy coffee drink):
                Feeds five hungry families for four days.
                Provides an hour of counseling for a family in crisis.
$5 a pay period (a sub sandwich):
                Keeps the lights turned on for a family or senior citizen.
$10 a pay period (a lunch out):
                Provides four days of care for an Alzheimer’s sufferer.
                Provides an abused woman with six days of safe, secure shelter, case management and financial literacy education.

Comments Section Coming Soon!

Ann Breidenstein

Hello!

Blogs are pretty much useless without the ability for feedback, right? We will be soon adding a comment section to hear from you!

Campaign Kick-off was great! We had a good turnout and a "special surprise" visit from The Privateers of St. Augustine to help promote our exciting fundraising event, "Treasures in the Quarter". Take a look at our event website for more details - WWW.TreasuresintheQuarter.org. This event is in partnership with Flagler Health Care Foundation and the City of St. Augustine.

Day of Caring: We did not get a good response to our Day of Caring for Habitat for Humanity this year. In fact, only two people signed up; the reason why we cancelled the event. Was it the heat? Inability to take time off from work? Please respond in the comment section when it is up and let us know your thoughts. In fact, anytime you have a question, suggestion or concern, please let us know. We need you to be the best we can be! Many thanks and wishing all a great week.

Wishing all a great week!

Thanks!!!

No-Cost Microsoft Training Vouchers Available To Floridians

Ann Breidenstein

Do you need sharper Microsoft Office skills to boost your productivity at work, broaden your job options or advance your career?

If so, Microsoft® Elevate America in Florida can help. Workforce Florida and Microsoft recently partnered to launch Elevate America in Florida, providing job seekers and businesses access to 40,000 vouchers for no-cost Microsoft technology training and certification exams.

Each training voucher is redeemable for one E-Learning course or Certification exam in one of three categories:

E-Learning: These online courses are self-paced and train participants to use Microsoft 2003 or 2007 Office “learning collections” that include products such as Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word.

Microsoft Certification Exam vouchers: These vouchers entitle holders to sit for Certification exams in Microsoft 2007 Office products such as Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. All Certification exams must be proctored at Certiport Testing Centers.

IT Professional vouchers: These vouchers entitle holders to E-Learning courses designed for IT professionals or individuals interested in IT professional learning courses.

Vouchers must be activated by Aug. 21 and will be available through Aug. 21 or while supplies last. E-Learning vouchers are good for 12 months after the date of activation; certification exam vouchers must be activated and used by Aug. 21. There is no cost for the E-Learning and Certification exam vouchers; however, in some instances, a small proctoring fee may be charged by a Certiport Testing Center, where exams are administered.

Additional information, local contact information and an electronic application are available online at http://elevateamerica.floridajobs.org/

Campaign for the Community & Neighbor helping Neighbor

Ann Breidenstein

Campaign for the Community: Volunteers and staff are hard at work preparing for the upcoming United Way Campaign to raise $1,250,000 - a 3% increase to help improve the lives of St. Johns County residents. We are way ahead of last year at this time in some areas which is very good news!

Our agencies are pace-setting the campaign - St. Francis House employees increased their giving by nearly $1,000 - close to a 100% increase!

We have scheduled a Day of Caring for volunteers to commit one day performing volunteer services. On August 26th at 9:30 a.m., volunteers will gather at a Habitat for Humanity home construction site. Call 829-9721 to sign up!

Neighbor Helping Neighbor: Try to stay cool - look out for your neighbors, particularly the elderly and disabled. Check on them to make sure they have their a/c on. If they don't have a/c, make sure they have fans and are drinking plenty of water. Check on them regularly.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!