Does your nonprofit organization need some help cleaning up grounds,  painting, or organizing the office?

Participate in UGN’s Second Annual Day of Caring, scheduled for Friday,  September 14th.

We match individuals, businesses, and other organizations who want to contribute 3 hours of community service to nonprofit organizations who need their help.  It’s a win win!

• Day of Caring Application for Businesses

It’s also a great way for your employees to bond while they work toward a common goal – outside of the workplace.

Fill out the form for Day of Caring Volunteers and we’ll find a 3-hour assignment for your group on September 14th.  People told us they had a great time last year.

• Day of Caring Volunteer Application 2012

United Good Neighbor “Good Neighbor” Award

Nominate someone from your organization who has made/is making positive and lasting contributions to your mission.  We will honor the winner at the morning kick-off for the Day of Caring at the YMCA offices on September 14th.

• Good Neighbor Award Nomination Form

Nominating a volunteer in your organization will raise awareness in the community about your organization and will give the volunteer a chance to be acknowledged by the entire community.

The volunteer boards of the two organizations will remain separate,  as will the programs of each.  However, UGN and JCCF will look for ways to collaborate toward generating the maximum benefit at the lowest overhead cost.  “Donors and community leaders have been urging nonprofit organizations to form partnerships and find more efficient ways to deliver services,” says Herb Cook, President of the JCCF Board of Directors.

“The missions of UGN and JCCF are closely aligned,” Caldwell comments.  “UGN is focused on its annual fundraising campaign and providing safety net support for vital human and health services.  JCCF concentrates on long-term solutions through investment giving and support for nonprofits.  Donors and investors are thoughtful about their contributions, and want to see their resources leveraged and invest in organizations that will provide the maximum benefit for the community.”

Find out more about the Jefferson County Community Foundation by visiting its website at www.jccfgives.org.

Programs receiving 2012 grants from UGN are:

Emergency Services:  American Red Cross, Dove House, Winter Shelter, Jefferson County Food Banks, Jefferson Aids Services, JC Mash  Emergency Medical, St. Vincent de Paul

Youth Services:  Concerned Citizens Pre-School, Head Start, Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, The Boiler Room, Jefferson Teen Center, YMCA After School Youth Enrichment Program, YMCA Building Futures Mentorship Program

Mental Health Services:  Jefferson Mental Health Crisis Program, Jefferson Mental Health Harbor House Day Program, NAMI (mental health family support)

Senior Services:  Catholic Community Services Chore Services, Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization (ECHHO), Meals on Wheels

Community Services:  Jefferson-Clallam County Pro Bono, OlyCAP Health Care Access, OlyCAP Food Bank Distribution Services

We asked the Goodings to say a few words about why they support UGN – and why support now is more critical than ever. Please watch this video and share with others. And of course, please consider donating to UGN today.

“Businesses need to be recognized for their contributions,” states Carla Caldwell, UGN Executive Director.  “When they donate to community organizations through volunteerism and financial support, their efforts need to be publicly acknowledged.  UGN is grateful to the Muskan Indian Restaurant and all Jefferson County business owners who give generously to UGN year after year.”

The first Muskan Restaurant “Dine and Donate to UGN” day will be October 17th.  The restaurant is located at 2330 Water Street.

Jefferson County Nonprofit Alliance, the educational arm of JCCF, provides networking sessions, seminars, and periodic workshops for nonprofit executive directors, volunteer managers, board members and development staff. “The benefits of our work are demonstrated in the level of collaboration that is occurring between nonprofit organizations, the sharing of best practices, and breaking down of silos and competitive attitudes,” says Kristina Mayer, JCCF Executive Director. “There is an awareness that the quality and health of nonprofits has a direct impact on our community.” Initial financial support for building the Nonprofit Alliance came from the Satterburg Foundation and Medina Foundation.

United Good Neighbors (UGN) has served Jefferson County for over 50 years, operating as a social safety net by raising funds and increasing awareness of social services in the community. “In general, these safety net organizations are smaller, with UGN funding a large part of their budget as they are often run by volunteers”, says Carla Caldwell, UGN Executive Director. “Our immediate task is to find out how to make deeper inroads into the organizations that have the most need and least capacity.” Mayer and Caldwell feel that JCCF and UGN together can make a difference in Jefferson County by nurturing the collaboration of nonprofit, for-profit and government sectors, by building the capacity of each individual nonprofit to function optimally, and investing in individual leaders within organizations, making sure they have the skills, knowledge and support they need to be effective.

Linda Cooley (photo by John Redue)

At United Good Neighbor’s 2011 Day of Caring, we presented Linda Cooley with the 2011 Good Neighbor Award for her years of volunteer support to ECHHO as a volunteer driver, board member, volunteer office manager and volunteer executive director.

UGN partners with the volunteers of the Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization (ECHHO) to provide free medical equipment, transportation, chores, and social support services to elderly, disabled, low or limited income neighbors in Jefferson County, in the hope that they may may continue to live independently.

Congratulations to Linda – and to ECCHO – for doing so much for our neighbors in Jefferson County.

John Redue took some outstanding photographs from the day, and we wanted to share a few those with you.