"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

The North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has presented the 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award to 9 recipients from Catawba County.

Award recipients include: Tim Shuford with Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley, Michelle Hicks Diciuccio with Council on Adolescents of Catawba County, Melanie Wilder with Catawba Co. Senior Nutrition Services, David Wiley with the American Red Cross, Carmela Church with the Safe Harbor GreenLeaf Transitional program, BJ Sheaves with The Corner Table Soup Kitchen, Betsy Williams with Oakwood Elementary School, Beth Whicker with The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Hickory and the Ashure Thrift Store Golden Girls (Nancy Wall, Carol Dickinson, Jane Wesdyk, Ramona Ervin, Sylvia Hansmann and Betty McGee).

The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honors people who have shown concern and

compassion for their neighbors by making a significant contribution to their community

through volunteer service. The award was created in the Office of the Governor in 1979.

Recipients of this award will receive a pin and certificate of recognition from the Governor’s office during this year’s Catawba County United Way Giving From The Heart Volunteer Awards on June 11 – 11:30 a.m. at The Heritage Barn in Newton.

Catawba County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Catawba County has been chosen to receive $57,513 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county for Phase 41.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federation of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. 

The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A local board made up of representatives from Catawba County United Way, Catawba Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, The Hickory Ministerial Association, The Salvation Army, a homeless or formerly homeless representative, and a representative of county government, will determine how the funds awarded to Catawba County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. 

The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice non-discrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Catawba County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry, Exodus Homes, Family Care Center, Family Guidance Center, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Hickory Soup Kitchen, Morningstar First Baptist Church, Neighbors Network, The Corner Table, and The Salvation Army participating. 

These agencies were responsible for providing utility and rent/mortgage assistance, meals and lodging for Catawba County citizens in need throughout the past year.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds can access the application online starting April 25 at the link below.

For more information, contact Mark Bumgarner at the Catawba County United Way office at mbumgarner@ccunitedway.com or 828-327-6851. 

The deadline for applications to be received is May 9 by 5 p.m.

Did you know that the City of Hickory offers a Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program to assist Hickory city residents with funding for mandatory home repairs? This program provides loans of up to $25,000 to homeowners whose household income does not exceed 80% of the area median income.

Funds can be used to bring housing units up to the City’s minimum housing code and for accessibility improvements necessary for residents with disabilities. Examples of eligible repairs include heat system replacement, window replacement, plumbing repairs, repairs of electrical wiring, and roof repairs. For more information, please call the Community Development Division at 828-323-7414.

Recognize our local heroes who help those in need every day during this year's Catawba County United Way Giving From the Heart Volunteer Awards.

We've all heard the phrase - "It takes a village," and in the non-profit world it's true. The Catawba County United Way enjoys building relationships with its community partners and sees how much greater our impact is because of our collective efforts every day.

Below are some upcoming programs and events from just a few of those partners...please share, and if you're interested, the Catawba County Interagency Council meets the second Thursday every month at the United Way office - 2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory.

Call 828-327-6851 for more information or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

NC 211 is the United Way of North Carolina's health and human services information line.

For help - Call NC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892 1162 or visit THIS LINK.

Open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program every year.