Saturday, January 11, 9am-12pm @ Hernando County Mining Association Enrichment Center
Thursday, January 23, 9:30am-12pm @ St. Frances Cabrini
January 27, 9:30am @ the EOC
February 6, 8:00am-10:00am @ Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce office
Saturday, February 22, 8:30am @ Anderson Snow Sports Complex
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Proud Partner Spotlights:
Ability Tree Florida
Earler this year, Ability Tree CEO Wayne Cordova and his family began a podcast titled "
Specialized," which focuses on living in the special needs community as educators, parents, and community leaders. You can download it everywhere you get your podcasts.
NAMI Hernando
On November 2nd, NAMI Hernando hosted their popular Lip Sync Battle at Heritage Pines Community Association. This annual fundraiser featured performances from PHSC students, Coffee News, USA Benefits Group, Florida's A Team, Meares Plumbing, and LiveFit.
Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired & Blind
On October 24th,
Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) held the grand opening for their brand new Pasco location, at 9130 Ridge Rd, New Port Richey. The spacious facility hosts a sensory garden and accesible playground, as well as Braille-inscribed tactile art on the walls.
The Pasco LVIB is a state-of-the-art training facility for individuals who are blind or sight-impaired.
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Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Hernando Cares
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Getting to Know Your United Way Board of Directors
Meet United Way's Board Memb
er, Marty Monegro
The Q&A Corner
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When did you first join the UWHC Board of Directors?June 2019.
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How did you first learn of United Way?
At a Homeless Coalition meeting a couple years ago, UW Executive Director Angie was telling everyone how UW comes alongside different organizations in the community to make a positive impact. I was intrigued and wanted to find out more.
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Describe an interesting fact you learned about United Way this year?
How 30% of households in Hernando County are one emergency from falling into a crisis.
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Is there one program or service you hope the community knows about United Way that you would like to highlight?
There are so many areas UW helps out in, I can't pick just one. I want residents of this county to know what a formidable force UW is! From the Health intitiatives like the FamilyWize prescription discount card, to Education through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library's free monthly book program to support early literacy in preschool children. The UW is a venerable cornucopia of services & programs.
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What do you do for fun on the weekends?
Spend it with my family and attend church.
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Is there anything you'd like to share with someone who might be interested in getting involved with United Way of Hernando?If anyone wants to give back to the community where they live, I highly recommend for them to get plugged in with the United Way!
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Goodshop works with more than 5,000+ stores to provide the best deals and coupons and the top stores also donate up to 20% of their purchase back to United Way!
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Student Winners of the Holiday Card Coloring Contest Winners
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Congratulations to the following winners of United Way's 2019 Holiday Card Coloring Contest! Their finished artwork will be featured on UW's holiday card, which is sent to all of our Partner Agencies, Community Partners, Board of Directors, and collaborators. The chosen students also won a FREE ream of copy paper for their teachers, along with a giant box of extra school supplies to restock their classrooms!
- Chloe Williams from Chocachatti
- Connor Vasquez from Challenger K-8
- Lyla Barrett from J.D. Floyd Elementary School
- Sacagewia Grieves from West Hernando Middle School
- Zoie Goodwin from Winding Waters K-8
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Annual Kickball Tournament
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Save the date for United Way of Hernando County's 5th Annual
"KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament. Join United Way at Anderson Snow Park on February 22, 2020 and root for your favorite Hernando County businesses as they compete to win the Ultimate Traveling Trophy! The first teams kick off at 9:00AM sharp.
All proceeds from this tournament will benefit the
Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which currently provides over 1,000 Hernando children with a free book every month until the age of five. The books are mailed to the children regardless of their family's economic status.
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Survey Says...United Way Needs You!
Are you a local resident? Parent? Business Leader? Organization? Caregiver? Student? Teacher? Are you a part of our community? Then
United Way wants to hear from YOU!
With over 100 participants in last year's Community Survey, United Way was able to further their on-going goal of sharpening the focus of their investments and truly target Hernando County's greatest needs.
That being said, United Way would like to hear from you to openly discuss the barriers and needs our community faces. Please click the "Take Survey" button below to answer the quick 14 question survey focusing on the following initiatives:
- HEALTH
- EDUCATION
- FINANCIAL STABILITY
- BASIC NEEDS/CRISIS PREVENTION
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Great Hernando Weight Loss Challenge
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Start 2020 off on a healthy foot with the
Great Hernando Weight Loss Challenge! Get a team together and join local businesses and community members on January 11, 2020 at 9:00am as you pledge to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks. The kick-off event and initial weigh-in is being held at the Enrichment Center, at 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd in Brooksville.
Last year, the UNITED Weigh 2.0 team came out on top, both in total lbs. AND total percentage lost! Collectively, all of the registered teams lost a total of 6,277.3 lbs over the course of the 10 week challenge. UW can't wait to see how successful this next GHWLC is!
The Great Hernando Weight Loss Challenge is a
CHIPP-driven initiative.
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Join United Way on Thursday, January 23, 2020 to hear from Gary LeBlanc, the Director of Education for the Dementia Spotlight Foundation. He, along with guest speakers Susan Woolf, Financial Advisor and Theressa West, President of West Central Solutions, LLC will host a free Dementia Care Seminar where they will cover a variety of resources for how to support your loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer's.
The 9th Annual Dementia Care Seminar will be held at St. Frances Cabrini Church's Xavier Hall (5030 Mariner Blvd.). Call the UW office at (352) 688-2026 or email Samantha at [email protected] to reserve your seat for this FREE, informative seminar. A light breakfast will be provided.
This Health initiative is proudly sponsored by:
   
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Nature Coast Tech. High School Wins Bright Apple
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United Way is proud to announce 2018's recipient of the Bright Apple Award is
Nature Coast Technical High School.
Every year, the Bright Apple traveling trophy is awarded to one of the
Hernando Schools
that truly embodies what it means to "LIVE UNITED" by supporting Education, volunteering their time, giving back locally, and advocating for those in need.
Last year, Nature Coast had 6 teachers volunteer for the 12th Annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive, and 11 donors pledged over $1,916 to the Community Investment Campaign. This year's Teacher of the Year was a proud Nature Coast member, and the Digital Video Production Team partnered with United Way for CETA's 45th Student Recognition Celebration.
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5 Days of Giving with United Way
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In honor of the holiday season, United Way loves to get into the giving spirit and give back to the community it supports. Each year, UW United Way randomly selects 5 local Hernando County
school teachers who embody the LIVE UNITED spirit all year long, and pledge to give through UW's annual Community Investment Campaign. These winners are treated to a special surprise, such as park passes and tickets, gift cards, swag bags, and more!
*Drumroll Please!* This year's winners are:
- Bienvenido Gonzalez from JD Floyd Elementary
- Elane Rogers from Explorer K-8
- Albert Mendez from Winding Waters K-8
- Melody Whitaker from Hernando High School
- Mark Kozma from Moton Elementary School
Congratulations to all of the winners!
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Overcoming Barriers of Homelessness
On November 1st, the Hernando County Students and Families in Transition Program hosted their First Annual Homeless Symposium, "Overcoming Barriers of Homelessness."
Local agencies and advocates presented and shared their resources, along with a panel of residents who spoke about their experiences in an effort to dispel the myths around homelessness.
One of the speakers who was asked to share their personal story was UW's Community Outreach Coordinator, Samantha. Also among the speakers were a panel of Unaccompaied Youth.
Homelessness (especially for our local youth) unfortunately comes in all different shapes and sizes. Hearing these real stories from community leaders was eye opening for all those in attendance.
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ADVANCING YOUR MISSION
November 7th's
ADVANCING YOUR MISSION workshop for non
-profits' theme
was "Tech Topics: Technologies that Make Work Life Easier.
" Information on available travel apps, donor management, marketing templates, and oprational resources were shared by local non-profit leaders, Ability Tree Florida, United Way, LifeSouth, and the Anti-Drug Coalition.
The next workshop will be held on February 6th from 8:00am-10:00am at the Chamber office. Keep in mind that although this opportunity is free, attendees must still RSVP to reserve their seat! Check the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce's website for more information.
This FREE workshop is held quarterly by United Way of Hernando County, the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce, Dawn Center of Hernando, and the Hernando Community Coalition. Each workshop focuses on a different topic that helps educate and strengthen our local networks.
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Rotary Club of Brooksville Supports Early Literacy
United Way is honored to partner with the Rotary Club of Brooksville to bring free books to the children of Hernando County through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program. With their generous donation of $5,000, 38 children will receive a free book in the mail every month until their 5th birthday, totaling 456 books.
United Way currently serves 1,200 Hernando children EVERY month.
DPIL is also proudly supported by Suncoast Credit Union and Kiwanis Club of the Adventure Coast.
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Student Board: Now Recruiting Tomorrow's Leaders
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The
United Way Student Board (UWSB) is gearing up for the new year! Local high school and college students looking to enhance their leadership skills, get involved in their community, and gain volunteer hours for financial scholarships are encouraged to join. UWSB meets bi-weekly at the UW office.
If you are a student between the ages of 16-21, or if you know someone looking to get involved with an organization tackling issues they are passionate about, fill out a
Student Board application to begin volunteering!
For more details, call the United Way office at (352) 688-2026 and ask for Samantha.
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Bayfront Health & OMG Pretzels Give Back
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Over the summer, Bayfront Health teamed up
OMG Pretzel Bites
to support United Way of Hernando County by giving back by donating a portion of the proceeds raised from their delicious pretzels and yummy lemonade sales. The Food Network-famous Food Truck was stationed outside of
Bayfront Health Brooksville for one
day a month in June, July, and August where Bayfront employees and community
members stopped by to get their hands on this savory snack.
Three month's worth of eating OMG! Pretzel Bites certainly paid off! Over $753.18 was raised and donated right back into the community through United Way.
OMG! Pretzel Bites, Bayfront Health Brooksville, and all of their employees gave back in a simple yet impactful way by organizing this fundraising initiative. All dollars raised were
invested in local Health, Education, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs/Crisis Prevention programs.
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Have Your Taxes Prepared for Free!
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 VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is United Way's free tax preparation service offered to residents of Hernando County. At the end of December, United Way will begin taking appointments for clients to have their taxes prepared for free.
On October 22nd, United Way held their annual VITA Volunteer Meet & Greet in preparation for the upcoming tax season. Many returning volunteers were in attendance, as well as many new faces eager to get involved! On December 9th, 11th, and 12th, those same volunteers are attending an all-day training session at PHSC to become IRS- certified.
If you are a Hernando County resident who needs a basic income tax return prepared and filed for free, call the United Way office at 352-688-2026 to schedule your appointment! See the flyer below for more details.
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First Time Home Buyers Class
Housing is one of the top needs in Hernando County, based on our 2018-2019 Community Survey results. To help alleviate this struggle that many families face, the
Housing & Education Alliance, Inc. offers a First Time Home Buyers class in Brooksville! The class covers all the fundamentals of the home buying process. The next class being offered is in Brooksville on Saturday, January 11 at 9:00am.
To find out more information, register for the class, or see a complete schedule of all of the classes offered in the Tampa Bay area, click
here.
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- How long has Campbell & Company been in operation?
Campbell & Company was founded in 1993, by Jackie Campbell. Monica joined the team in October of 2000 and Jim in 2006, both originally hired as staff accountants. With years of dedication, passion and drive they became the leaders and partners they were meant to be. Jackie, Jim and Monica demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, perseverance, and commitment to Campbell & Company. With the support and diverse knowledge of their staff, Campbell & Company is able to aid clients with all Wealth Management and Tax related needs.
- What service is Campbell & Company best known for?
Campbell & Company was voted in Hernando Sun's- 2019 best Tax and Financial Planning firms. We pride ourselves on the overall customer experience, providing all of your Wealth Management and Tax needs under one roof.
- What is something the community might not know about the team over at Campbell & Company?
Everyone here at Campbell & Company loves giving back to our community, to each other, and to our wonderful clients. We are consistently looking for ways to be involved in the community as a team and as individuals.
- Campbell & Company is a supporter of United Way through GIVING (Accepting the BUSINESS BLITZ CHALLENGE). What drives your company to stay involved locally?
Over the last 26 years, we have been continually making an effort to serve our community. We believe by doing this, we have established ourselves as pillars of this community and this has created more loyal clients and happier employees.
- Is there anything else you want to share with the community about Campbell & Company?
Jackie Campbell & Monica Haberlin are popular radio hosts for local 'Beyond the Money Radio'. They can be heard weekly on 99.9FM WXJB on Saturdays at 11am & Sundays at 7am. They have recently ventured into the world of Television, and are now featured guests on a few of America's favorite TV stations including CBS, NBC and ABC. Be sure to follow along with us on social media to learn more!
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