United Way of Northwest Georgia Celebrates 24th Annual Make a Difference Day with Unprecedented Community Impact
United Way of Northwest Georgia proudly marked its 24th year of Make a Difference Day, an annual event that brings together community members to volunteer and support local nonprofit organizations. Held this year during the week of October 21-25, Make a Difference Day 2024 saw a tremendous outpouring of support, with volunteers coming together to significantly impact Whitfield and Murray counties.
This year, Mannington Phenix and Marketing Alliance Group served as the Premier Sponsors, each contributing $5,000 in grant funding to ensure the event's success. Additional community project sponsors included Dalton Utilities, Mohawk Industries, Shaw Industries and strong participation from United Way of Northwest Georgia’s affinity groups: Women’s Leadership Council, Young Leaders Society, and Youth United.
“United Way of Northwest Georgia is honored to participate in Make a Difference Day each year,” said United Way President Amanda Burt. “The volunteer projects we organize profoundly impact our local community. Thanks to our sponsors' generosity and our volunteers' dedication, we make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. United, We Do More!”
Marketing Alliance Group, a Premier Sponsor, sponsored a volunteer project at United Way Community Partner, the Salvation Army. Volunteers supplied essential household furnishings for four transitional housing units as part of the Salvation Army’s Transitional Housing Program. This program helps homeless families become independent by providing temporary housing, household supplies, and support in developing a strengths-based service plan. This program is free for families, allowing them to focus on increasing their financial stability to find permanent housing. Volunteers supplied new shelving for the storage room and purchased, organized, and stocked all the essentials needed for these families to have a fresh start and a smooth transition when beginning the program. Thank you, Marketing Alliance Group, for making a difference in the lives of individuals and families in our local community.
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Mannington Phenix, a Premier Sponsor, sponsored a project at the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, focusing on outdoor beautifications. Volunteers worked tirelessly to enhance the safety, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal of the space, fostering a sense of community and pride among residents as they work towards recovery and independence. Overall, the project will benefit the current residents and serve as a model for future community enhancement, demonstrating the value of investing in supportive and welcoming environments. “I love United Way and what it stands for and look forward to many more years of involvement.” -Andrea Lanier, Product Management Specialist with Mannington Phenix. Thank you, Mannington Phenix, for making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families in our local community. Special thanks to Southern Outdoor Landscapes for providing the flower bed pebbles and to Exterior Incorporation for donating the mulch, tools, and prep work needed to ensure this project’s success!
Dalton Utilities tackled a project with the Boys and Girls Club. In addition to their Make a Difference Day project from 2023, the 2024 project continued the work that had started last year, addressing drainage issues between the playgrounds and fields. Volunteers ran 400 feet of underground piping, installed catch basins, trimmed trees, installed curbing around the parking lot, and planted grass. Volunteers accurately redirected the flow of stormwater to the newly installed piping system which will keep the playground from washing out in the future. This project will make a difference in the lives of the young people who are served, their families, and the community!
Mohawk Industries sponsored, installed, and stocked two new Little Free Libraries at Westside Elementary School and Cedar Ridge Elementary School. The Little Free Libraries operate on a simple, community-driven concept: participants are encouraged to leave books they’ve enjoyed in the library boxes, allowing others to discover new titles. Likewise, readers can browse the selection and take a book home to read. With a rotating collection of books, the libraries promote a spirit of sharing and learning, all while making reading materials available year-round. For a full list of United Way’s Little Free Libraries and to find the one nearest to you, please visit our website at www.ourunitedway.org/little-free-libraries.
Shaw Industries led a Make a Difference Day project at the Whitfield County Dalton Day Care Center, creating a new "Outdoor Learning Area" for the children. This space will serve as a garden and art area, providing educational opportunities in science and the arts. Volunteers also painted educational games on sidewalks, enhancing the outdoor environment for toddlers and preschoolers. The project's long-term impact will be evident with the children and their families enjoying the newly designed area while entering and exiting the center. The children can share the learning activities that have occurred outdoors with their families.
In celebration of Make a Difference Day, United Way's Young Leaders Society installed a Born Learning Trail at Brookwood Park. This Trail is not just a simple path—it is an innovative tool designed to promote early childhood development through play and exploration. With ten interactive signs available in both English and Spanish, the Trail invites young children and their families to engage in activities that nurture critical early learning skills. Whether counting, recognizing shapes, or playing simple games, each stop along the Trail turns an ordinary walk into a learning adventure. This project aligns with United Way's mission of preparing kids for kindergarten, ensuring they are reading at grade level by third grade, and equipping them with the skills they need to graduate on time, ready for success. We owe a special thanks to Michael Hendricks and his team with The Dalton Parks and Recreation Department for installing the posts and helping plan the location of the project. By visiting the Born Learning Trail at Brookwood Park, families can transform everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences—one step at a time!
For this year's Make a Difference Day, the Women's Leadership Council of United Way stepped up in a powerful way. With compassion as their driving force, these dedicated women gathered essential home goods for families currently living in hotels—individuals who may lack the basic comforts of a home. From essential toiletries to kitchen supplies, they worked to ensure families in need had access to items that could bring a sense of stability during an uncertain time. By delivering these everyday essentials, they were not just providing material support; they offered hope, creating a bridge to a brighter, more secure future. This simple act of kindness is a testament to how a united community can make an immediate and meaningful impact.
Youth United participated in the 30th annual Conasauga River Watershed Clean-Up, removing trash from the Lakeshore Park location along the river and contributing to the environmental health of our community. Other community volunteers cleaned up trash from the following locations: Conasauga River at Carlton Petty Road Bridge, Conasauga River at Highway 2 Bridge, Conasauga River at Lower King’s Bridge/Norton Bridge, Holly Creek, Murray County, on the Chattahoochee National Forest, Mill Creek tributary in the City of Dalton, and Crown Creek in the City of Dalton.
When there is a community need, United Way of Northwest Georgia is there. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibilities in Whitfield and Murray counties. Make a Difference Day is just one example of how we unite to create meaningful change. For more information on how to get involved, visit www.ourunitedway.org.