Community News and Upcoming Events 2010
Community News
Family Night at the Ballpark
United Way NCA volunteers and staff recently came out for a family night at the ballpark on July 19. Everyone cheered on the Alexandria Aces collegiate baseball team as they took on the Baltimore Redbirds.
It was also a great chance to offer a special thank you to the outgoing Alexandria Regional Council Chair, Delegate David Englin, for his leadership and support during his two-years of service. The United Way NCA family also extended a warm welcome to the incoming Chair, Councilman Frank H. Fannon IV.
The Alexandria Gazette Packet came out to cover this great event. Read the clip here (visit p.24).
Featured in this photo are (from left) United Way NCA staff with Fannon and Englin.
United Way Partners with DC Metropolitan Police Department to Fight Youth Violence
All too often, local news includes devastating reports about youth violence in the Washington area. Combating this issue continues to be a top priority for United Way. It is one of the core components of United Way's Child Wellness Initiative which also focuses on reducing and preventing childhood obesity.
United Way has partnered with the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to decrease the incidence of 
violence and crime occurring among area youth. This month, United Way will match a $25,000 donation from the DC Police Foundation to combat youth violence and United Way will join MPD and the DC Police Foundation for their 2010 Summer Crime Prevention Kick-off on June 23. Read the full story here
Volunteers Recognized For Making a Difference
United Way's Regional Councils continue to play an integral role in addressing community needs and coordinating important activities to raise awareness. On Wednesday, June 2, the Alexandria Regional Council celebrated community leaders at its Annual Breakfast & Community Awards Celebration.
More than 90 people helped honor five members in our community for their outstanding dedication and community service. In addition, the group recognized two local nonprofit leaders for their commitment to the citizens of Alexandria and beyond. This event was a great opportunity to show our gratitude and give back to community leaders who give so much of themselves every day. Read the full story here
Celebrating a Stellar Campaign
Pepco Holdings, Inc., conducted a leading United Way workplace campaign and wrapped this year's campaign up in style at an appreciation luncheon on Monday, March 29th. The celebration of a job well done was amplified by their in-house company rock group, the Static Band.
Janet Randolph, Pepco Regional Campaign Chair, emceed the event for executives and staff volunteers who helped them top the list of UWNCA contributors. She commended business units that achieved 100% participation, as well as organizers of out-of the-box fundraising events like their long-running car show, company talent show and a prize drawing for a heart-adorned quilt designed and stitched by Pepco employees.
The funds raised through these events went to support United Way’s Community Impact Fund, a general fund that allows United Way to allocate money to pressing community needs through a competitive grant process. Randolph shared that this approach provided a counterpoint to the employee contributions which traditionally are designated to specific agencies. “We’re trying to help in as many dimensions as possible,” said Randolph.
United Way thanks the entire Pepco team for all they do to support United Way and our community.
Earned Income Tax Credit - Have you prepared your tax return yet?
As the result of generous grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, United Way of the National Capital Area has joined forces with community partners to help families and individuals benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Northern Virginia CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) and the DC EITC Campaign each received $30,000 in grant funds to raise awareness about the EITC and to support Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites where low-income workers can go to have their taxes completed for free. Low-income individuals and families in the greater Washington area who qualify for the Federal Government’s EITC program can earn up to $5,657 in tax credits for the 2009 tax year.
Why is this important to you?
EITC and tax preparation support may increase the refund amount that individuals receive or help reduce the amount of taxes owed.
Area residents may visit Northern Virginia CASH and DC EITC through April 15, 2010 to access this support. Volunteers will be on-hand to prepare taxes and to provide other assistance. You can also prepare your taxes on your own by visiting www.myfreetaxes.com/metrodc
Watch a related clip featured on WUSA this week!
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - A Day of Volunteerism
Throughout the region, agency partners celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day throughcontinued service to the community. United Way’s member agencies worked hard over the holiday and provided opportunities for residents to volunteer in a Day of Service. Whether individually, or through a coordinated work-place volunteer day,area residents showed their compassion and commitment through acts of caring.
The first family joined in the spirit, volunteering at SOME (So Others Might Eat), serving meals to individuals and families. See additional photos here. United Way’s CEO, Bill Hanbury had the opportunity to volunteer alongside President Obama and the first family in supporting the good work at SOME.
In the photo below, Hanbury stands (far left) with
President Obama; Clark Construction, LLC VP and SOME Corporate Advisory Board member, 
William R. Calhoun Jr.; SOME Executive Director Richard Gerlach, SOME President Fr. John Adams; First Lady, Michelle Obama and first daughters, Sasha and Malia.
Support for Fun, Fly & Fit - Not all professional athletes make time in their busy, demanding schedules to tackle community issues and to give something back. Who are we kidding, the average person whose schedule may be much more flexible can't always find time to make a difference in a child's life.
Andre Carter, defensive end for the Washington Redskins and his wife, Bethany are setting an example when it comes to the health of the next generation.
The Carters support United Way's Fun, Fly and Fit program that helps kids enjoy health and wellness and they came out and led the kids in a workout that included kickboxing, pushups, calisthenics, and other exercise activities. This is not an isolated event - the Carters have adopted River Bend Middle School for the Fun, Fly & Fit program and they will continue working with these children to illustrate the positive benefits of good nutrition and physical activity. Visit our community blog to watch the video.
Community Impact Update - United Way Encourages Girls to be Fun, Fly & Fit - What happens when you combine dozens of young girls, a celebrity personal trainer, health experts and United Way?
On September 12-13, the Black Entertainment Television Foundation held its first Girls Health Summit, co-sponsored by United Way. The two-day event was designed to inform girls and young women about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. More than 100 girls attended the event and many were joined by their parents. Participants attended workshops that covered topics such as: healthy eating, physical activity, domestic violence, healthy relationships, health and skin care and fashion. 
Mark Jenkins, celebrity personal trainer and spokesperson for United Way’s child
wellness program, Fun, Fly & Fit, hosted two physical fitness sessions (Jenkins
shown in photo at right). O-Water made an in-kind donation and provided healthy
beverages for program participants during the workout.
This event also served as a kick-off for Fun, Fly & Fit. This unique program
encourages children in the greater Washington area to adopt fitness and good
nutrition in the places where they learn and play. It brings new momentum to the
fight against childhood obesity, which has reached alarming rates in the region.
Alexandria Aces games - A Warm Welcome for our New CEO - On July 26th, volunteers came out to Frank E. Mann Field at Four Mile Run Park to welcome UWNCA's new President and CEO, Bill Hanbury.
United Way staff, volunteers and friends from partner agencies
had the opportunity to meet Hanbury and to enjoy a great evening of baseball. Many of our youngest "volunteers" had fun with the UWNCA beach balls and other giveaways.
Bill Hanbury, new President and CEO of UWNCA, is shown at right lending a helping hand (left) and getting to know UWNCA's
youngest volunteers (right).
