Good bye, for now, until we meet again...

Today is my last day here at United Way! I can't believe I have already been here almost 5 months! I am sad to go, it has been a great experience. I am not sure what my future holds for me, but I am confident that what I have learned here and been exposed to will help me down that road.

I have learned a variety of new programs, including In Design, Photoshop and Illustrator. Prior to this internship I had used them briefly, but now I am confident in the work that I do and feel much more comfortable using them. I also learned much more about marketing and communications, which seeing how I am a marketing major, has definitely helped me. I have had great role models and leadership in the office to follow after, and everyone was both great teachers and helpers. I love that I got to help out at events and experience United Way from all angles, not just from the office. I was fortunate to help out in the community, and see how United Way truly effects and helps so many individuals and companies in our local community. Above all I have been able to see how a non-profit organization is run and how much it is built upon each employee. Everyone who works here truly has an influence in the company, and their tasks, decisions and effort really make a difference. Seeing as how I want to work in the non-profit sector when I am older, this has been a great learning experience. Maybe it will even help me get into the Peace Corp one day :)

While I am not sure where I will be in the next few months job wise, this internship definitely helped and prepared me for what I hope to start experiencing. I have no doubt that I will encounter these people again - hopefully sooner rather than later!

...So "Good bye, for now, until we meet again"...

Costume Contest

While the whole Human Race experience was great and the event was put on very successfully, one of the best parts of the day was after the race - the Costume/Dance Contest. There were many organizations whom participated in the race that had mascots to represent their company. For the 2-1-1 initiation back in February, United Way had ordered a huge phone costume, since 2-1-1 is a free phone number to call in order to get health and human services in your community. Our Resource Development Office, Rob Read, had the honors of wearing the costume and representing United Way at the Human Race this year. Some other costumes were "Reddy" - the large Redwood tree from Redwood Credit Union, as well as two mascots from the local radio station, BOB FM 96.7.

All of the mascots were to perform the "macarena" together, but due to the lack of the Macarena song, it ultimately turned into a "dance-off". All of the mascots were right in front the live band, dancing and showing their moves. Not only was it hilarious and entertaining to watch, but it definitely got the crowd enthused and involved. A bunch of little kids got up to dance with the mascots too, which added to the "family-friendly" atmosphere of the Human Race.

After dancing to a few songs with much enthusiasm, the crowd did a brief ranking of each mascot, by yelling loudest for the mascot they thought deserved first place. Our own 2-1-1 phone won!! Rob did a great job out there; he is hardly one to get shy which definitely helped while dancing in front of a crowd in a large phone costume!

If you want to read more about Rob and the success of the Human Race, visit http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090509/ARTICLES/905099983/1349?Title=10-000-run-walk-in-annual-Human-Race

Successful Weekend

Human Race was a great success, to say the least! Although overall they raised less than last year, it was only a small percentage difference, and considering the economy it was a great accomplishment! When I arrived around 7:15am, the place was already packed! Over 50 different organizations had booths set up with information about their companies, as well as "freebies" to hand out. Many of them also had food and drinks for all of the runners and for other participants. United Way had a great booth; right on the corner so we were very noticeable. Our booth drew a lot of people, thanks in large part to our prize wheel! We had a wheel that people could spin their first time for free, and then the second time for $1. Some of the prizes consisted of a LIVE UNITED T-shirt, a cd, a sticker, a wristband, and the most desired - a yellow cow bell. The cow bells were also used for the Amgen Tour of California back in January and were a huge hit with the little kids! Some of the staff members working the booth, and I am sure parents as well, would agree the bells got pretty loud, pretty quickly! The line to spin the prize wheel was far longer than any other line though - we definitely engaged the crowds and brought awareness to our booth and initiatives. We were also selling the cow bells and LIVE UNITED shirts which were successful, and we also had pamphlets, fliers, magnets and business cards for 2-1-1, Healthy Kids and our regular United Way newsletter.
Me and Isaiah, the other intern, walked the Human Race course holding United Way branded signs. We were hoping to get people to notice the signs and brand, which would gain awareness to United Way and Healthy Kids. It was fun to be able to experience the course, even if we did just walk it. There were almost 10,000 people participating and about half of them were in unique costumes - which made it all the more entertaining. It was a great day, and we definitely made the community more aware about United Way and what we focus on.

Spring Clean/Human Race

This past weekend was Spring Clean, which is a large volunteer day in Santa Rosa. Last year alone, they had over 2600 volunteers. They participated in a variety of activities to help clean and beautify Santa Rosa. There were over 50 different projects around the city that people could work on. Some of us from United Way participate at Southwest Community Park, where we put down new layers of bark surrounding the park, as well as picked up trash, weeded and mowed the grass. I was surprised at the amount of people there, and it was just one specific event. The kick-off was at Finley earlier in the morning, and then from there we dispersed into our different volunteer locations. The only downfall to Spring Clean this year was that it was raining. Who would have thought it May it would be raining! To show their dedication for the local community, volunteers still participated and gave back, despite the bad weather.

This coming weekend, May 9th, is the annual Human Race, held at Spring Lake in Santa Rosa. This event is usually used as a fundraiser for local companies to get donations through a variety of different ways, and to also have fun participating in the race. The Human Race is a very family fun event, with costume contests and t-shirt design winners, there are activities and entertainment for everyone. Following the race there is a large "fair" where different companies have booths set up. This year me and the other intern get to participate, by being active and vocal in spreading awareness about United Way. We are going to focus on our newest initiative 2-1-1, and well as Healthy Kids, since there will be many families and children there. I was also fortunate enough to attend the "Breakfast of Champions" back in February, which was the kick-off breakfast for the Human Race. There were hundreds of people there representing their companies, and they also had a few different guest speakers. I can't believe the event is already here, but I am excited! Never having been to the Human Race before it should be a lot of fun. It is the largest fundraiser in Sonoma County, so there should be thousands on people there! Hope to see you there!

National Volunteer Week

This week, April 19th-April 25th is "National Volunteer Week", coinciding with Earth Day which is April 22. This presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofits and other businesses to give back to their community. Join United Way in thanking the people whom already volunteer, and congratulating those whom are starting today.

While United Way of the Wine Country has a large impact in our community through our initiatives and programs, we also play a large role in giving back to the community through volunteering. Within the next few months we have some volunteer opportunities in our community. By volunteering your time, even if it is only for a few hours, we can together create a difference in our community.

May 2, 2009: SPRING CLEAN

Come as an individual or join the United Way team, and help make improvements to our community. Projects start at 8am and end around noon, followed by a festival at Finley Park. Last year there were over 2,200 volunteers at this event.

http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/residents/Pages/SpringClean.aspx

May 9, 2009: HUMAN RACE

At the Human Race, United Way will have a booth where we will be publicizing Healthy Kids, 2-1-1 and United Way as a whole. We will engage the community and raise awareness about our impact in the community and our different initiatives. Volunteers are needed from

8am-10am

10am-Noon

If you would like to volunteer at the Human Race, please contact Rob Read at mailto:atrob@unitedwaywinecountry.org

Sept. 9, 2009 : DAY OF CARING

This will be the 19th annual Day of Caring event, which has been one of the largest volunteer events in Sonoma and Mendocino County. We expect over 1,000 volunteers this year, with a variety of different projects to be completed for local service agencies. In the past, volunteers have helped deliver meals, build safer playgrounds, tutor children and help restore trails and parks.

If you want to volunteer at Day of Caring, please contact Stacy Ruppert at stacy@unitedwaywinecountry.org

We've moved

A common phrase around our office was that it resembled an "airplane"; in the sense that there was a long open space in the middle with offices on either side lining the whole corridor. While the office was great, we wanted a larger space and a conference room was needed as well. Being in downtown Santa Rosa, we have a great location: we are easy to find, in the heart of the "business" area, near restaurants for meetings and surrounded by other local businesses which gives us an opportunity to gain awareness and promote our business through other companies. These were essential factors in finding a new office, and we were very lucky to find a nearby location. We literally moved four blocks, but to a much nicer and larger building. Our rent is also significantly lower than our previous location. With the extra money we are accumulating each month in savings, we can apply to our different programs and initiatives. Our landlord was very generous as well; he donated much of the improvement costs to us, once again saving us a large amount of capital spending.

We now occupy the whole fourth floor, our offices are spacious yet allow privacy, we have a separate room for our meetings and conferences and the whole layout is much more open.

Old office: 751 4th St. (w/ everything cleared out for the move)

New Office: 418 B. St, Suite 400

(although you can't see much, it is much more spacious)

2-1-1

Being a marketing major, I love advertisements, fliers, billboards - anything that grabs your attention. I love the big picture of things, and seeing the outcome once all the small detail is put together. Although I am a marketing intern, having the "intern" title I didn't think I would be helping that much is the actual creation of marketing collateral. However, I have been able to assist in creating fliers, posters and other documents to help spread and gain awareness about our events, benefits and initiatives.

One of our most recent initiatives, 2-1-1, which launched on 2/11, is a phone number to call which connects local residents with a variety of different services and resources to assist them. It is already launched in numerous other counties and states across the country, and has been deemed successful in Sonoma County in just the short time it started. Upon dialing, you will reach a very knowledgable staff whom will provide you with the resource you need. Whether it be a critical situation, such as help during a fire or flood, housing or rent assistance, support for seniors and the disabled, opportunities to donate or childcare services, 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While 2-1-1 was known in other parts of the country, our United Way had to promote it and gain awareness for the residents of Sonoma County. I was lucky to assist in creating many different posters needed to help promote the launch. Using InDesign and Illustrator, I helped format different documents, choose pictures and help edit them at the end. These posters were passed out to local businesses including the Police Department and local hospital, as well as put on city buses. It was neat to see some of my work shown in the ads throughout the community, and see how I really helped out.

To date, 2-1-1 has been one of our most successful initiatives. People all over Sonoma County use it daily, and it also helps gain awareness and business to other companies and organizations. The specialist connects you with resources that you wouldn't have known otherwise, which has had a huge impact in our community, especially when the economy is down and people need more assistance that usual.

For more information on 2-1-1 or to utilize their assistance and resources, visit http://www.211wc.org/