Sometimes when I tell people I work for United Way, they smile and say, “Oh that’s a great organization.” They’re right, it is a great organization. Most times, that is the extent of the conversation. However, occasionally, someone will pepper me with follow up questions and want to know more about United Way and how they can get involved.
Below are my top ten ways you can get involved with United Way, and more specifically, United Way of the Greater Triangle:
10. Visit our website. If you haven’t already, the easiest way to get to know us, is to check out our website. There, you’ll see event photos, details about how we fund programs, T4T, 2-1-1, our Board of Directors, our senior staff, and more.
9. Subscribe to our e-newsletter. We send this out quarterly, and provide valuable information about what United Way is up to in the community, and with its partners. Go here to subscribe now.
8. Tour a partner agency! We have dozens of partner agencies that we help support. If you really want to see the work being done on the front lines in the Triangle the partner agencies are where you should go first. Want to setup a tour for you or your company? Contact Reah Nicholson.
7. Volunteer with us at a Day of Caring, Day of Action, or MLK Jr. Day of Service. These are our three largest community-wide volunteer days each year. Our projects vary from art to woodworking to basic needs. This is a great way to dip your toes into the world of United Way in just one afternoon.
6. Come to a United Way sponsored event like our Campaign Kickoff, WLC cake auction, Food Truck Rodeo, CEO Sleepout, or one of the volunteer events listed above. Each event will have many United Way staffers and advocates there for you to speak with about United Way.
5. Run a company campaign. This is the primary source of our revenue. The more revenue our campaigns raise, the more that is placed in the areas that need it most, right here in the Triangle. If you would like to speak to someone about running a United Way campaign at your office, call Jim Green at 919-463-5019.
4. Donate a computer to our Teaming for Technology program. T4T, as we like to call it, takes gently used computers and refurbishes them so a school or nonprofit in North Carolina can benefit from a low-priced piece of technology that will serve them for several years. If you would like to donate your old computer, check here for more details.
3. Volunteer with T4T. The program mentioned above is a vital part of our United Way. Nonprofits and schools depend on our technology to allow them to place computers in the hands of children and students who would otherwise not have access to one. In order to meet the demand of our orders, T4T is always looking for committed volunteers who can spend time at our location helping to refurbish computers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Al Reynolds.
2. Follow, fan, tweet, retweet, like, subscribe, etc. If the tool exists in social media, chances are, we have a presence there. Find us on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, linked in, google+ and others. Interact with us in your chosen social space. We love feedback and online conversations with our friends. Like us, follow us, and send us your story, pictures, or video!
1. The most important thing you can do to become active with United Way, is advocating for us among your friends, coworkers, and business partners. While we have a very recognizable brand in the public eye, many times people do not fully understand the value we bring to the Triangle. Help us out with word of mouth advocacy of our programs, services, and agencies.
