Blog

A Message from Joe Young, United Way Board Chair, and Amanda Burt, President

Viruses don’t discriminate.

We are only as healthy as the most vulnerable among us. 

Campaign Chair, Bob Hardaway, is an avid Clemson Tiger football fan and when it came to motivating his campaign cabinet, this quote from Clemson Football Head Coach Dabo Swinney perfectly encompassed how he felt:

“To be an overachiever you have to be an over-believer.” This quote set the stage for an incredible year of over-believing in the impact that United Way can have on Building Better Futures in our community.

Hooray for Daylight Saving Time!

When I think of our community, one word, in particular, comes to mind...compassionate.

Having just returned from the National President's Roundtable meeting with other United Way colleagues from across the United States, I am reminded how lucky I am to live and raise my family in Dalton, Georgia.

During our time together, we shared stories of the life-changing work we are all doing in our communities. We shared our wins, our losses, and what keeps us up at night.

United Way's Youth United recently celebrated its first Volunteer Day of the year on President's Day, February 17th!

Valentine's Day is traditionally associated with hearts, romance, flowers, candy, and the exchange of cards that express love. But have you ever considered a different way to spend your Valentine’s Day?

We all know that February is most recognized as a month focused on love. We celebrate Valentine’s Day by gifting stuffed animals, chocolates, and flowers for those who are special in our lives. 

These are the “Hallmark” ways of showing love to each other.  But, what if I told you that you could share your love a little differently this February?

Be a good neighbor.

Bob Hardaway led the charge in 2019 as the United Way Campaign Chair. Seeing the great need in our community, he volunteered to chair the campaign. Bob has been an avid supporter of United Way for over 20 years.

He has always given generously of both his financial resources and of his time. Chairing the campaign can be a challenge, but Bob Hardaway rose to the occasion.

January marks the 19th annual National Mentoring Month, a campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults.

United Way of Northwest Georgia’s Young Leaders Society has established a mentoring partnership with United Way community partner Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Georgia Mountains called Mentors United.

Every person, I believe, wants to make a difference in his or her community. But where does one begin? How does one go about giving back for a life they have been richly blessed with? For me, that journey started seven years ago, arriving in Dalton, Georgia, from the Chicago, Illinois area.

As a teenager, I heard a quote from Ronald Reagan. He stated, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”