This time of year is most appropriate for us to say thank you to everyone who LIVES UNITED, helping to make our community a better place to live and work.  The change we strive for doesn't happen without you.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Click the image to see our video "thank you."

Also, don't forget to check out United Way's Thanksgiving Halftime Show this Thursday during the Lions/Packers game.  Click the image for more details.

Six years ago, Foothills United Way held it's very first Socks and Mittens drive.

The motivation was simple: Our partners in the community had told us that warm socks, mittens and gloves were some of the hardest cold-weather items to come by for those in need. 

So, Socks and Mittens was born, with the idea to partner with businesses and individuals to collect donated items and get them to our partner agencies, who could then distribute them to clients. That first drive was so successful we decided to to it again. And again. And again.

Last year's Socks and Mittens drive collected nearly 2,900 items. This year's drive is now underway, running through December 1st. Collection bins are set out by participating companies, groups and organizations, where donors can drop off new pairs of socks, mittens, gloves, hats and scarves.

If you or your company would like to take part, it's not too late. Contact Nancy Platt at nplatt@unitedwayfoothills.org. We'll provide collection bins and posters promoting your drive. If you would like to donate as an individual, you can bring your items to the FHUW offices at 1285 Cimarron Drive, Suite 101, in Lafayette.

Thank you for Living United, and helping someone to stay warm this winter!

Last Friday, October 30, I had the opportunity to have a very small part in Naropa University’s inaugural Day of Service and Learning. The new President of the University, Dr. Stuart Lord, brought this day forward with an emphasis on the school being not just located in the community, but part of the fabric of the community. As we gathered over lunch to celebrate the work of the day, Dr. Lord encouraged all of us to make service to the community a habit and challenged each person to do whatever he or she can do, realizing that all of us together can create positive change.

The day spoke directly to the call to action of United Way, to LIVE UNITED and to give, advocate and volunteer. Foothills United Way (FHUW) has long supported volunteerism in our communities. The most visible day is the annual Day of Caring which for 17 years has placed teams of workers in not-for-profits and community organizations. In 2009, over 1,000 people provided services that when translated into dollars were valued at over $82,000. What many do not know is that volunteering does not stop with just one day. FHUW works year-round with our corporate and community partners to arrange projects that are both meaningful to the volunteers and helpful to the agencies.

Whether it is team-building for your company or a church group or organization, FHUW can help you connect. Volunteering IS giving and telling others about your experiences IS advocating. One person, one word, one action at a time-----WE can make a difference!

--Barbara Pingrey, CEO, Foothills United Way

by Barbara B. Pingrey

On Wednesday, June 10, Giving USA released its findings on charitable giving in 2008. Giving USA is a public outreach initiative of Giving USA Foundation™ which endeavors to advance philanthropy through research and education. The results of this most recent study are both disturbing and encouraging at the same time.

Remembering that the economic conditions we are now experiencing were not on many people’s horizons even 12 months ago, this study shows giving exceeding $300 billion for the second year in a row. Yet the decline from 2007, when adjusted for inflation, is 5.7%. This is the first year of decline in current dollars since 1987 and the steepest drop-off since 1956.

Although nearly every category of nonprofit is feeling the impact of a reduction in giving, amazingly, just when people need help with basic needs, one of the hardest hit groups was social services. This area saw a 16% decrease at the same time when 54% of the service providers reported an increase in demand. And this demand continues to rise.

Boulder and Broomfield Counties are fortunate to have in place agencies, programs and systems that are innovative and successful in addressing the human service needs of the area. The programs use evidence-based practices and are able to substantiate their successes. All this is great---but the fact remains that there is a saturation point even for the best program; a point where the needs exceed the financial capacity. So the question for the rest of us is, "In this economic climate, how do we increase the capacity and for how long can we do it? "

There’s no magic wand, no easy answer. But if we continue to work together, we will continue to move forward. Our regional human services strategic plan is a good start. We will find ways to create greater efficiencies, eliminate duplication of services, provide for agencies to spend more time on direct service provision, and share our successes with the community. And then we can build on those successes. Donations and funding are, of course, critical to these successes; but they are not the only pieces. Given this new report and the immediate economic forecast, we all will need to explore every possibility to make certain our communities and the people in them have food, shelter, medical care and other essential services that sustain their very lives.

You can read the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s article on the report here, or click here to read Giving USA’s press release. If you’d like information on how you can help through giving, advocacy or volunteering, contact us at info@unitedwayfoothills.org or 303-444-4013.