MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST THURSDAY
30 Apr 2012
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This year’s theme is “One Nation under God, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Ps. 33:12”
Prayers will be offered for Unity in the Community, the Faith Community, Families and the Local and National Government. Local adults from the Tyler community will be leading the group in prayer. Breakfast will begin serving at 6:30 am with the program at 7:00 am.
Admission is FREE.
Location Details
Harvey Convention Center
2000 West Front Street
Tyler TX 75702 US
Location Phone: (903) 531-1349
Refresh Leadership LIVE!
23 Apr 2012
Ask any great leader how to reach the top and they’ll tell you it starts with a journey down the road not taken, followed by a lifetime of achievement, hard work, dedication, and a fair share of lessons learned the hard way. That’s the spirit behind Refresh Leadership Live.
Join us for this unique opportunity to hear a distinguished panel of speakers share their perspectives on leadership. From academia to athletics, these speakers have more than proven that they understand what it takes to be a great leader.
Featured speakers include: Patrick Lencioni, leadership consultant, speaker, and New York Times best-selling author; Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, legendary former NFL players and Pro Football Hall of Fame members; Dr. Bertice Berry, sociologist, author, lecturer, and educator; Andy Buckley, former CFO of Dunder Mifflin on NBC's The Office, event emcee, and a senior financial advisor (in real life). In addition to his role as David Wallace on The Office, Buckley has also co-starred in Columbia Pictures’ The Other Guys, and in the Warner Brothers comedy Life As We Know It. He appears in the Judd Apatow comedy Bridesmaids and co-stars in the 20th Century Fox film, Alvin and The Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked.
For information or to register for this exciting LIVE event, click this link:
2012 Celebration Luncheon Held at Rose Heights Church
19 Apr 2012
We came together to recognize the dedication and generosity of a number of individuals and businesses who gave in 2011 to help others through our local United Way. United Way is still the best way for us to impact a growing number of community needs with our collective gifts. From adult education and childcare to crisis intervention and emergency services; youth development and healthcare for the working uninsured to discount prescriptions; we can all be sure that our gifts made a difference for over 64,000 people in Smith County.
Outgoing Board Chair, Doug Bolles reminded the almost 250 people attending that we have a United Way that is way more than what it has been in the past and way more than what many in our community know about our United Way.
"Here’s what I mean," he said. " United Way is way MORE than a conduit. It is way more than a pipe into which money flows at one end in the form of all our gifts and out of which that money flows at the other end in the form of donations to non-profit organizations. It is not a passive process. It is very much an active process with a tremendous multiplying effect on the giving and on the benefit to our community."
(Pictured: 2011-12 Board Chair, Doug Bolles and 2012-13 Board Chair, Joey Seeber)
2012 DAY OF CARING PROJECTS DUE!
12 Apr 2012
It is NOT TOO LATE to register a project for the 2012 Day of Caring! Last year, over 500 volunteers provided much needed work at agencies throughout Smith County. Projects are one day activities that typical go undone due to lack of time or help. Do you have filing, cleaning, painting, outdoor jobs, or others that need to get done? Print off the form below and get it registered for Day of Caring. Let us connect you to new friends who want to help your nonprofit!
WHAT The United Way of Smith County will host the 19th annual DAY OF CARING on June 8th. This event is designed to mobilize volunteers throughout the community to assist non-profit organizations with special projects that can be “done in a day”. Last year, volunteers pitched in, completing projects such as building, painting, cleaning, landscaping, and gardening.
WHEN Friday, June 8, 2012 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
WHERE Breakfast: First Christian Church Family Life Center
4202 S. Broadway (corner of Loop 323 and Broadway) Afternoon Celebration: First Christian Church Family Life Center
BENEFITS Local health and human service non-profit organizations in the Smith County area.
WHO Caring individuals, civic and service clubs, and volunteer employee teams from area companies perform community service tasks at the agencies. These tasks will help the people these agencies serve.
WHY DAY OF CARING will give the volunteers a firsthand look at the programs which area health and human service agencies provide. All of the participants will also get hands-on experience in volunteer efforts that can help assess and solve community needs.
CONTACT For more information, please contact Lisa Gardner at United Way of Tyler Smith County 903-581-6376 x206 or Cindy Jones x204; FAX 903-581-6462.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
27 Mar 2012
Adult and At-Risk Youth Education Classes – Clients served are adults or youth (16 years of age and older) who have left school deficient in basic reading skills, lack a GED, and/or do not speak English as their first language. In Smith County, there are at least 50,000 people who need these services. Serving about 2,500 students annually, the program provides basic literacy tutoring, GED preparation classes and/or English as a Second Language classes. These classes are taught by paid staff and trained volunteers. Programs are held at 16 locations throughout Smith County. For more information, click the Literacy Council logo above and visit their website.
Executive Director: Nancy Crawford
Contact: 903-533-0330 www.lcotyler.org email: info@lcotyler.org
Family Wize 2011 Community Partnership Award
28 Feb 2012
Wow! Thanks to everyone who helped us spread the word last year about our free Family-Wize cards, we were able to save our Smith County Neighbors $117,954.91 in prescription discounts!!!
A special "Thanks" goes out to all Smith County pharmacies. It is their support of this program that makes it work!!
FamilyWize cards are being distributed free of charge nationwide by participating United Ways, community and faith-based organizations, county agencies, doctors, businesses, some pharmacies, and individuals like you.
How it Works
FamilyWize essentially acts like a huge consumer group buying service for the uninsured and underinsured. The discounts and savings are provided voluntarily by the more than 61,000 participating pharmacies that have agreed to provide prices similar to what they give large insurance companies and employers. The participating pharmacies get more business, in three ways: 1) FamilyWize directs people with FamilyWize cards to their stores; 2) people are able to fill more of their prescriptions because of the savings; 3) people often buy other things when they go into the store to get their prescriptions.
Ultimately, it is the pharmacy that provides your savings. So please remember to thank your pharmacy for its participation in the FamilyWize network and for the important and positive difference they are making for you, your family and your community.
It’s easy to use a FamilyWize Card. There are no forms to fill out, waiting period or registration. The card is really just like a reusable coupon. Anyone in your family, your work, your church or your neighborhood can use it. Immediately. You can even use it if you have health insurance, both during deductible periods and for anything your insurance does not pay for.
If you would like a familywize card, please contact Reece at randerson@uwtyler.org for your free card!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2 Jan 2012
Our prayer is that 2012 will be happy and prosperous for you and your loved ones.
It is not too late to give a little and help a lot. We are winding down on the 2011 Campaign, which will support important programs and services throughout Smith County. We are close to meeting our goal and YOU can help us get there!
A pledge made this month, is payable through December 2012. You can LIVE UNITED for only a few dollars a month and your pledge is critical to tens of thousands of our Smith County neighbors. You can also be assured that your donation will stay right here in Smith County to help our neighbors in need. Click the GIVE HERE button above and help us help others. Thank you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
22 Dec 2011
From the staff and volunteers of United Way of Smith County
"WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Your year-end donation may be made online by clicking the "GIVE HERE" button located right above this blog.
Our office will be closed December 26-30 to allow our staff and volunteers to enjoy the holidays with their friends and family. If you would like to make a donation in person, please contact our United Way President, Nan Moore at nmoore@uwtyler.org or by phone at 903-312-9511. Nan will be happy to meet with you at your convenience.
If you need other assistance, please dial 2-1-1 and an Information and Referral Specialist will direct you to the help you need.
Thank you for supporting our local United Way!
Thank you for choosing to LIVE UNITED!
Stacy Dickerson Wins The 2012 Hyundai Accent!
16 Dec 2011
(Pictured front row from left) United Way Campaign Director, Reece Anderson; David Dickerson; Mia Dickerson; Winner Stacy Dickerson; and Allen Samuel's General Manager, Mike McClean (Back row from left) Allen Samuel's Hyundai Manager, Chris Haider; Campaign Chair and KLTV Channel 7 GM, Pat Stacey; United Way President, Nan Moore
Allen Samuel's Hyundai stepped up the 2011 United Way Campaign in a BIG way! Donors pledging or giving as little as $260 a year were eligible to win the car.
Stacy has given to United Way for the past few years and she was not aware that her employer, East Texas Medical Center, had added her name to the drawing. Stacy was actually giving because she believes in United Way.
Todd Sigmon, Vice President at ETMC, said that Stacy was such a worthy winner. "She is a stand out at the hospital for her caring nature," he said.
A small group gathered at Allen Samuel's Hyundai Thursday, December 15th to watch Mike McClean draw the winning form from over a thousand entries. When Stacy was contacted, she was more than a bit surprised. Her husband David said he just refused to believe it wasn't a prank until he got to the dealership. After he realized it was true, he said it just felt "surreal."
United Way of Smith County wishes to congratulate Stacy Dickerson and thank all of those who chose to LIVE UNITED and step it up for a chance to win the car! Mike McClean told onlookers that he would be doing this again next year...so get ready for round 2!!
Hyundai Accent Winner Will be Drawn Thursday!
11 Dec 2011
Join us at Allen Samuels Hyundai Thursday, December 15th at 12:00 noon for the 2011 United Way Campaign car giveaway drawing. Hundreds of Smith County residents entered for a chance to win the 2012 Hyundai Accent.
A very special "Thank You" goes to Mike McClean and his team at Allen Samuels for helping us spread the "LIVE UNITED" message. People throughout Smith County who are in need of programs and services supported by United Way are the real winners of the wonderful program!
An Early Gift for Our United Way!!
4 Dec 2011
Santa's elves are everywhere and sometimes they show up before Christmas. This year, our early gift was this beautiful new website!
Michael Mahfood and the technology masterminds at Group 
M7 not only designed this wonderful website, but Michael also found us four special new friends - our website sponsors. We are very grateful to Blood & Cancer Center of East Texas, Eye Care Associates of East Texas, Janie's Cakes, and East Texas Coupon for partnering with our local United Way to share our message through this website.
At United Way of Smith County, we are accustomed to counting our blessings and this year we are happy to add some new friends to that list! Thank you, Michael! The fun has just begun!
We Are Very Thankful!
22 Nov 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we begin by counting our blessings. Among our greatest are YOU, the people of Smith County who GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER. Everyday throughout our community, special people sacrifice their time, talents and treasure to ensure that the over 60,000 people in Smith County who have needs can access the valuable programs and services we support.
As you enjoy time with friends and family this holiday, we ask that you pause for a moment to remember and pray for those in our community who are alone, suffering, or struggling. Smith County is a great place to live and work. Let us continue to purposefully work together to keep programs and services available for our neighbors in need.
On behalf of many who will never know how much you have helped, we offer our deepest gratitude. Thank you for choosing to LIVE UNITED!
Can you see around corners?
9 Nov 2011
A favorite expression of mine is 'seeing around corners', as in "Planning for the future greatly benefits from the ability to see around corners."
Of course, once you've turned a corner, you no longer need to see around it. So what I am speaking of is being able to anticipate things you cannot yet see.
God alone knows the future, most of us would agree. Some among us He has gifted with the wisdom to plan for – to anticipate – what may be around the corner. Or in Wayne Gretsky's often quoted explanation of his great success on the ice, "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been."
At United Way, we are seeking to see around corners -- to anticipate what the future holds for our community and to be able to meet our community’s future needs before we have them. We cannot do this without the involvement of our community, especially those in it who can see around corners.
What does the future hold for our community -- good and bad -- and what can we be doing now to maximize the future good and minimize the future bad? What future needs and opportunities can we anticipate so that we take full advantage of those opportunities and possibly even eliminate some of those needs?
If you can help us accomplish this, please do -- join us as we serve our community by seeking to see around corners.
--Doug Bolles, United Way Board Chair
We are Thankful!
31 Oct 2011
As we enter the season of thankfulness and joyful giving, we want you to know how much we appreciate YOU! If you are a volunteer, a donor or a service provider, YOU make this community GREAT! United Way of Smith County is grateful to the residents of Smith County who understand what it means to give, to serve and to sacrifice. On behalf of over 60,000 Smith residents who were helped by your support of United way funded programs last year, we thank you!!
2011 Campaign Is Heating Up!
31 Aug 2011
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Smith County residents are stepping up to the plate for the 2011 United Way Campaign. Camapign Director, Reece Anderson said, “We are way ahead of this time last year. We have a number of rallies already scheduled and new businesses that have joined the effort.”
And just a reminder that you could win a car! Thanks again to Allen Samuels Hyundia for encouraging people to give at least $5 week for a chance to win the 2012 Hyundai Accent. To participate in the giveaway individually, contact Reece or Cindy at 903-581-6376 or email them at randerson@uwtyler.org or cjones@uwtyler.org. The drawing will be held in December.
