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25 Things You May Not Know About
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

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1. Members of the business community established our United Way in 1921, although it was originally called the Welfare Federation of Philadelphia. It was created to eliminate overlapping charities, so money could be raised and distributed more efficiently.
   
   
2. United Way advances the common good by focusing on education for children, income for families and health for seniors - the building blocks of a good life.
   
   
3. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania serves more than 2.5 million people in Philadelphia and portions of Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties.
   
   
4. In 2008 over 7,000 people volunteered for United Way's Days of Caring event.
   
   
5. Every year United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania raises millions of dollars for the community.
   
   
6. United Way's Stuff the Bus project gives new bookbags full of school supplies to kids living in homeless shelters. Last summer we collected enough donations to hand out 2500 bookbags! This summer our goal is 3500.
   
   
7. United Way wants you to make a difference by doing one (or all) of the following:
   • GIVE: www.liveunitedsepa.org/give
   • ADVOCATE: www.liveunitedsepa.org/advocate
   • VOLUNTEER: www.liveunitedsepa.org/volunteer
     
     
8. When you give to United Way's Community Impact Fund your money is used to help 138 agencies that are getting results in the areas of education, income and health.
   
   
9. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania joined the United Way Success By 6 program because research shows that if a child doesn't enter kindergarten with the tools they need to succeed then there's a big chance that kid won't graduate from high school.
   
   
10. Before the invention of online giving or telethons, United Way was on the ground raising money in office campaigns. United Way workplace campaigns are a fun way to get everyone involved in making a difference. If you think you're office has what it takes sign up here:
    
    www.liveunitedsepa.org/campaign_benefits.asp
    
    
11. In a recent survey, 89 percent of seniors aged 55 and older reported that remaining in their own homes as long as possible is important to them - so United Way decided to make keeping seniors healthy and safe at home one of our priorities.
    
    
12. Wearing a LIVE UNITED t-shirt means that you are part of a movement to inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. If you want to join the movement get your t-shirt here:
    
    www.liveunited.org/shirt/
    
    
13. United Way's campaign for mentors trains hundreds of mentors every year and funds programs that provide mentors for thousands of kids. If you've ever thought about giving some of your time by being a mentor you should give us a call: 1-866-MENTOR3
    
    
14. The United Way Logo consists of three elements: The rainbow of hope, the hand of support and the person as a symbol of humanity.
    
    
15. In southeastern Pennsylvania, more than 70,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are neither in school nor employed. United Way is working to create a path to success for these young people.
    
    
16. Each year United Way’s Gifts in Kind program brings approximately $2 million worth of products to 90 community agencies serving our region.
    
    
17. United Way has a Women's Initiative that works to help young girls through the Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow program. Their annual gala is not only a lot of fun, but it also raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for this important cause.
    
    
18. United Way and the NFL have partnered together for the past 35 years to create positive change in communities across the country. Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles helped our United Way out by creating this public service announcement:
    
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhPNRlf8FBA
    
    
19. Because United Way believes that a strong safety net is vital to the social fabric of a community we invest in programs that offer counseling, shelter, legal advocacy and other assistance for adults and children who have experienced domestic violence. United Way also invests in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and assistance with rent, mortgage, and utility payments, assistance for crime victims, services for the disabled and chronically ill, behavioral health services, health screenings and education.
    
    
20. Community volunteers engaged by United Way annually contribute nearly $5 million
    worth of their time in providing more than 260,000 hours of service.
    
    
21. United Way wants to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place.
    
    
22. Every year, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania honors exemplary donors, advocates and volunteers at the Champions for Impact Awards. The most prestigious award is the “Citizen Volunteer of the Year” award.
    
    
23. For over 50 years, the AFL-CIO and United Way has been helping working families come together around shared interests in the community.
    
    
24. If you want to learn more about United way watch this video:
    
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUeTlcdzYgA
    
    
25. United Way believes that EVERYONE can make a difference...including you!
    
    

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