Commentary, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

United Way of Northern Arizona — You Gave Safety & Security in 2021

by Community Contributor • November 18, 2021 • Comments Off

What Does Safety & Security Mean to You?

As we continue our annual fundraising campaign for United Way of Northern Arizona, we wanted to take a look at how your generosity impacted the safety and security of residents in Coconino, Navajo and Apache in fiscal year 2021.

Which raised a question: what exactly is “safety and security,” and how did your Stepping Up for Our Community change lives?

There are the three basics that everyone knows – food, shelter, clothing. However, safety and security encompasses so much more than that. It’s about access to healthcare and vital medications, funds to pay for utilities, and financial education and employment programs so families can have a better future.

Here are some of the ways UWNA with its partners transformed your donations into strategic programs that helped those in need in the past year:

49,357 people received access to healthcare, including discounted pharmaceutical costs.

132,784 individuals received food assistance, primarily from food banks and kitchens, but also through shelters and delivered meals for the homebound.

1053 of our neighbors received clothing items.

More than 3,100 received some form of shelter or housing assistance, including 302 who received help with utilities.

278 received either employment or financial training, which will go a long way in creating a firmer foundation for their futures.

All of this was in addition to pandemic specific relief. In the past year, the UWNA helped provide 3,700 bed nights to keep those in shelters safe from Covid-19.

All of this was made possible by people like you. Please consider giving during this current campaign so that we can continue to Step Up for those in northern Arizona who need help in keeping themselves and their families safe.

Thank you so much!

STEP UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY HERE

Save the Date for #GivingTuesday

A warm meal. A safe space. The employment or financial training needed to promote security and a brighter tomorrow for a family in need today.

These are the things your donation on #GivingTuesday can provide to people in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.

Please save the date – Nov. 30 – and join us. #GivingTuesday is the world’s largest day of giving and millions will be Stepping Up to benefit their communities. Can we count on you to be part of this worldwide movement and donate to UWNA?

Every gift to United Way, big or small, makes a difference, plus your donation comes with a tax benefit (up to $300 for individuals and $600 for couples filing jointly).

Thank you for considering UWNA for your #GivingTuesday contribution on Nov. 30.

‘Gingerbeach’ Raffle Deadline Dec. 13

Take a chance on winning this elaborate “ginger-beach” house during our holiday raffle courtesy of Little America Hotel.

Pastry Chef Vanessa Ronspiesis is the creative mind behind the unique gingerbread complex. Santa’s off-duty retreat is complete with main house, boat house and a shoreline filled with little candy sea creatures play in the surf. (Watch out for the gummy sharks!)

This treat is 100% edible and took more than 52 cups of powdered sugar, 41 cups of flour, 35 egg whites and 51 pounds of candy to complete.

Click on the button below to buy your tickets, which are $5 each, 6 for $25, 12 for $50, 24 for $100 and 48 for $200. The raffle drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 13.