‘Tis the Season for Giving!
Looking for Ways to Help Make Spirits Bright?
During this season of hope, join with us to help those less fortunate in our community. In the spirit of the traditional carol The 12 Days of Christmas, United Way is offering The 12 Ways of Giving.
Throughout the month of December, we’ve highlighted 12 different programs serving a variety of community needs during the holidays and beyond, and while some are more immediate than others, all are life-changing. Whether you are interested in supporting reading & literacy, early childhood development & education, women's health, military veterans, or families experiencing homelessness, The 12 Ways of Giving can be your source for charitable giving this year. All donations stay local in Central Georgia.
Please consider United Way of Central Georgia as your way to give and help make many more spirits bright in our area now and in the coming new year.
The 12 programs we are highlighting are all listed with a brief description just below the blue donate button and at anytime you can click on the blue donate button to choose the program you would like to support and make a donation.
click here to
On the 1st day of Giving...
READ UNITED addresses the literacy challenges facing Central Georgia. Reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade is a key indicator of high school graduation and career success. Volunteer tutors work with kindergarten through third grade students to improve their reading skills all while creating a bond with the children to become a positive influence in the child’s life.
On the 2nd day of Giving...
THE MERRIE CHRISTMAS PROJECT was recently created in memory of Merrie Kaplan by United Way of Central Georgia and her parents, Mike and Nancy Kaplan. This project provides food, holiday decorations, and gifts to families in need throughout the holiday season. Your support will ensure Merrie’s love of Christmas and joyous spirit will be remembered and shared with those who would not have a Christmas otherwise.
On the 3rd day of Giving...
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS UNITED is a neighborhood-based strategy that has shown phenomenal success nationally. It supports United Way’s goal to disrupt the cycle of family poverty with an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. It is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. It leverages the neighborhood public school as the hub to bring together many partners offering a range of supports and opportunities to children, youth, families, and communities.
On the 4th day of Giving...
BROOKDALE RESOURCE CENTER is a partnership between United Way of Central Georgia and Macon-Bibb County. United Way has assumed management of the Center. More than 800 people have come through the doors at Brookdale since it opened last January. The Center provides homeless individuals and families with three meals a day, shower facilities, and sleeping quarters. Other resources that are offered include mental health evaluations and educational support. Residents are also assisted by a case worker who helps with finding employment, permanent housing, and needed medical care.
On the 5th day of Giving...
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On the 6th day of Giving...
FIRST STEPS supports all expectant parents and children birth to age five and their families, including: adoptive parents, legal guardians, foster parents, and grandparents. The team provides support by guiding and linking families with information and referrals to relevant resources in categories such as: parenting skills, maternal/newborn/child health, home & child safety, school readiness, and family economic self-sufficiency, ensuring a great start towards healthy development.
On the 7th day of Giving...
DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY is one of UWCG‘s newest partnerships, bringing a great opportunity to the Central Georgia area. DPIL is a book giving program which sends free books each month to children signed up for the program from birth to age five. This enables each child to own a library of books throughout their younger years that parents and caregivers can read to them, thus building a larger and more diverse vocabulary.
On the 8th day of Giving...
MISSION UNITED is United Way of Central Georgia's answer to the challenge facing our military veterans who struggle with acclimating to civilian life after serving our nation. Our program provides a straightforward entry point for veterans to receive help and a dedicated navigator to ensure they transition successfully and don't fall through the cracks.
On the 9th day of Giving...
On the 10th day of Giving...
PLAY UNITED (Macon RBI) is a partnership between Major League Baseball’s outreach program Revitalizing Baseball in Inner Cities. MLB‘s program is aimed towards increasing participation and interest in the game of baseball and softball, regardless of a child’s financial situation. Play United and the RBI program also encourages young people to achieve academically and teaches the value of teamwork along with many other important life lessons.
On the 11th day of Giving...
MERRIE’S CLOSET is an extension of The Merrie Christmas Project and our partnership with the Kaplan family. It is a clothing source for our Central Georgia students who do not arrive at school wearing proper dress code or may have soiled their clothing during the school day. Teachers and administrators will have access to new khakis, sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks, and underwear for their students.
On the 12th day of Giving...
YOUTH UNITED is a student-lead council offering Central Georgia high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to become involved and be engaged in their community. The program offers hands on experience in developing leadership skills while receiving training and participating in the community investment process. The student‘s lead their own service projects connecting students to volunteerism. Youth Council members attend monthly meetings to plan their volunteer projects and events.