Sept. 18, 2020
"To increase the organized capacity of people to help others."
News & Resources
This week's Fair Share car giveaway finalist
Congratulations to Tyler Garrison (Catawba County HR), our First Car giveaway Finalist - Employees of companies participating in this year's Catawba County United Way's Fair Share Donors program (1 hour pay per month) will go into 10 drawings, which started on Sept. 17, for a chance at being a finalist to win either a Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra or a Volkswagen Jetta from Paramount Automotive. Drawings for finalists are held every Thursday with the last one is on Nov. 19. The winner will be drawn in December.
Along with giving away a new car, the event helps raise awareness of the impact the United Way has in Catawba County through local programs that address needs in the areas of education, income and health.
Remember...it's never too late to become a community hero. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. For more information about your United Way visit ccunitedway.com or call 828-327-6851.
Visit THIS LINK to learn how your company can join this year's United Way campaign.
The Catawba County United Way – Always Ready to Help
Time to Celebrate the Spirit of Giving Awards
Join us for this year’s Catawba County United Way Spirit of Giving Awards Campaign Celebration. This is a chance to thank all our donors for helping those in need in our community.
It will be a virtual event, and you can register at any one of the links below. Thank You for your support.
Elementary schools returning to full classrooms
After several weeks of stable COVID-19 trends and continued low virus spread in school settings, Governor Roy Cooper announced that beginning on Oct.5, North Carolina public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5).
Plan A continues to include important safety measures like face coverings for all students, teachers and staff, and symptom screening but does not require schools to reduce the number of children in the classroom.
How much does it cost to live in Catawba County?
The United Way of North Carolina recently released its Self-Sufficiency Study for 2020.
The Self-Sufficiency Standard highlights the growing gap between low wages and ever-increasing expenses, highlighting the economic “crunch” experienced by so many families today.
The Standard is calculated for over 700 family types for all North Carolina counties.
Visit the CCUW's website to find links to the full study and to the Money Needs Calculator, which breaks down living costs by family size.
United to Help Others - Volunteer and Make a Difference
Now more than ever local non-profit agencies need volunteers to help them meet the needs of those in crisis.

American Red Cross
Any time is a good time to give the life saving gift of blood. The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Frye Regional Heart Center on Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please volunteer your time and give if you can. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Frye to schedule an appointment.
 
Family Guidance Center
The FGC is looking for volunteers to help out The Purple Ribbon Thrift Store - cashiers and donation sorters. If interested, mail Melissa at mkerekes@fgcservices.com or call 828-322-1400 for more information.
 
Hickory Soup Kitchen
The Hickory Soup Kitchen has an immediate need of volunteers in various areas – helping prepare meals, stocking the food pantry to name a just a couple of ways you could help. If interested visit https://hickorysoupkitchen.org/ways-to-help for more information or call 828-327-4828.
 
Eastern Catawba County Cooperative Ministry
For its Thrift Store, ECCCM needs donation sorters, stocking volunteers and  cashiers. Contact Christina Rodgers at (828) 465-1702, ext. 123.
ECCCM’s Food Pantry needs: pantry door worker to greet the clients in the food line and grocery store driver. Contact Allen Sherrill at (828) 465-1702, ext. 116.
 
Highways and Hedges
Highways and Hedges desperately needs help delivering furniture/appliances to folks in need. For more information call or text 828-781-8095.
 
Adult Life Programs
Washing and cleaning vans is always a need for us, as well as cleaning the outdoor areas of the agencies different facilities. For information call 828-326-9120.
 
Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry
31 Thrift and MORE Needs volunteers to sort, price, and stock donations and the nutrition center has needs every afternoon from 12-4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Contact Andrea Beatty, Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator to make an appointment for an individual orientation at 828-323-7904 or Outreach@ccmhickory.org. 
 
The Salvation Army
Opportunities would include: Providing weekend meals for shelter (dinner), Pantry help (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) For information about volunteering with us, please call 828-322-8061.

Integrated Care of Hickory is seeking skilled labor for housing programs, front desk and clerical work, reaching out to collect canned goods/non-perishables for housing program and outreach for svcs and prevention – training provided 
Call 828-322-5915 or visit integratedcarehickory.com for more information.

To Learn more about local volunteer opportunities visit the Catawba County Volunteer Center at THIS LINK.
Temporary Halt on Evictions, Doesn't Include Foreclosures
The CDC announced a new temporary “halt” to residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The moratorium runs through Dec. 31, 2020.
The moratorium is for rental assistance only and does not cover foreclosures.

Tenants covered under the moratorium must provide a written “declaration under penalty of perjury” (affidavit) to the landlord, and/or owner of the residential property stating their inability to pay the rent.
There are a few things that are required of the person stated below;
·        The tenant has made best effort to pay or is seeking assistance to pay
·        Income level has to be $99K or less (individual) or $198K (filing jointly) for CY2020 or tenant was not required to file income in 2019,or if they received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check)
·        Unable to pay full rent or make a full payment due to loss of income, loss of work hours or wages, a layoff, or extraordinary out of pocket medical expenses
·        Trying to make timely payments as circumstances permit
·        Eviction would render household homeless or force to live in shared housing because there is no other housing options available.
NC Legal Aid is available to help and samples of affidavits will be available on the website. https://www.legalaidnc.org/ - More Information at This Link
More information - visit www.ecccm.org/cccb to select your appointment time or
call 828-465-1702 (ECCCM) or 828-322-2535 (Salvation Army).
Celebrate Your Amazing Volunteers
-Catawba County United Way announces Giving From the Heart Awards.
We know there are so many volunteers that have stepped up and continued to support your organization and this is a perfect way to say THANKS!  
Maximum of 5 nominations in each category per agency/organization.
Categories include: Adult Individual, Youth, and Group
Eligibility
• Nominee’s volunteer organization must serve the community at large.
• Nominee’s volunteer organization must be a non-profit or a governmental agency to receive the award.
• Youth award - Individual 18 years or younger. Youth groups are eligible for the Group Award.
• An adult, youth or group is eligible in one category only.
• Group Award is for groups of 2 or more individuals.
From housing to food to healthcare, if you need help call 211
Remember if you or anyone you know needs help call 211 - the health and human services information line provided by United Way of North Carolina.
Also visit nc211.org to search for local resources. Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program.
For more than 75 years, the Catawba County United Way has been dedicated to increasing the capacity of people to help others. To learn more about the CCUW's mission contact us at 828-327-6851 or visit ccunitedway.com.

GIVE - ADVOCATE - VOLUNTEER