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Pike United Way Funds Provide a Helping Hand
The Pike United Way allocates funding to various human service
programs supporting Pike County. Funding to agencies outside of Pike County are used only to support efforts in
the county. There are many facts, figures and stories about how these funds help people and make a difference in
our community.
Below are just some highlights from previous years:
A former client told Survivors' Resources, "I
had no self-esteem and felt ashamed of myself and my body. You gave me the understanding that what happened to
me was not my fault. I'm going to college now; something I couldn't do before because I didn't want other people
to see me."
The Center for Developmental Disabilities of Pike County
was able to provide educational, therapeutic and behavioral services to over 120 children with developmental disabilities
and their families.
The American Red Cross provided assistance to 5 families
with 13 adults and 8 children in Pike County that suffered single family fires and lost thier home and belongings.
A client of GAIT wrote the Pike United Way and said "It's
a wonderful experience to share some of the problems I have in raising two handicapped children with others. Its
great to have a network of people to understand and help you through some of the things we all share."
The Devereux Foundation - Pocono Center was able to provide
in-home support for 12 Pike County residents enabling them to remain in their home and community. Without these
services, they would have needed institutional care.
The Volunteer Action Cener of Northeast Pennsylvania provided
services for 26 children in Pike County.
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Since 2000, the Pike United Way has allocated a total of
$679,000 to various organizations to support human services programs exclusively in Pike County.
Allocations Page
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Pike United Way Initatives Impact the Community
In addition to allocating funds, the Pike United Way is also
a primary service provider for various human services programs in the county which have a direct impact in our
community.
Here is a list of our primary impact areas and programs.
Day of Caring
An annual, community event rallying a couple hundred volunteers
to complete hands-on projects to benefit nonprofit agencies and their clients in Pike County. Individuals from
the community and teams from local businesses and organizations give time and services for this one-day event with
long-lasting impact throughout our community. The Pike United Way started the Day of Caring in 2001. This event
was also supported by Altec-Lansing, Delaware Valley School District and many local businesses and organizations.
The next Day of Caring is September 20, 2008.
More Information
| For the Day of Caring in 2007, a total of 285 volunteers helped
21 nonprofit and human services agencies for over a total of 1,700 hours. The estimated dollar value for this volunteer
time is over $29,000. |
Pike County Volunteer Corps
The Pike County Volunteer Corps started in January 2004 as
an initiative of Pike United Way. The Volunteer Corps is dedicated to bringing together organizations that need
volunteers and people who are looking for a meaningful volunteer experience. The Volunteer Corps is made up of
members from various organizations including the Interagency Council and also works with the Information and Referral
System Committee of the Pike United Way.
The Volunteer Corps are the county organizers for the annual
National Volunteer Week in April. They also publish the Volunteer Honor Roll annually as a salute to ALL volunteers
in Pike County. The Honor Roll and had 3500 volunteers listed last year.
Volunteer efforts are valuable and important for the success
of most nonprofit human service agencies. Volunteers are used for administrative support, coordinating activities,
fundraising, hands on help and so much more. The estimated dollar value of volunteer time in 2005 was $17.06 per
hour for the state of Pennsylvania (Source: "Value
of Volunteer Time" from Independent Sector).
More Information
9/11 Memorial Blood Drive
An annual event to memorialize the victims and survivors
of 9/11 by giving blood, the Gift of Life, to others in need. The Memorial Blood Drive started in 2003 as an initiative
of the Pike United Way and is part of our Day of Caring. This event is also supported by the American Red Cross,
the Pike County Commissioners, Delaware Valley School District, Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County
Public Library System.
The next 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive is during the Day of Caring
on September 20, 2008.
Red
Cross Blood Drive Schedule
More Information
| The 9/11 Blood Drives have collected a total of 468 usable pints
of blood to date and this has helped over 1590 patients. For the Blood Drive in 2007, a total of 87 usable pints
of blood were donated. |
Pike County Information & Referral System - www.PikePaHelp.org
The I & R System is a program of the Pike United Way
and works to develop information & referral system infrastructure in the county to assist residents in finding
the essential human and community services that are available to them. This effort is also supported by a Monroe/Pike
Community Block Grant and the Pike County Human Services Development Fund from 2004-08. Also supported by the AmeriCorps*Volunteer
In-Service To America (VISTA) program in 2002-2004 and 2007.
The program includes PikePaHelp.org
- a FREE comprehensive on-line database of government, nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations that provide
human, health, public, community or other essential services to Pike County residents. The website also includes
a listing a volunteer and job opportunities and a community calendar of events. The website was launched in August
2003.
PikePaHelp Site Trends (PDF)
August
2003 to May 2006
June
2006 to Present
The Community Services Directory is a printed version of
the database and it can be download here. The Directory was provided to schools, county agencies, libraries, most
churches and other organizations.
Human
Services Brochure
Community
Services Directory
More Information
| There are over 200 page views a day on www.PikePaHelp.org helping
people find needed services in the county and helping other agencies refer their cleints to other services. |
Pike County Emergency Reserve Fund of $20,000
A fund of $20,000 is set aside for community-wide emergencies
and disasters. The fund is replenished after it is used so these moneys are available when needed. The fund was
established in June 2001 and has been used as follows:
$2,500 - Wayne Pike Chapter of the American Red Cross in
2006 for flood disasters relief to the people in Pike County for rescue, emergency shelter, food, clean-up kits,
and much more.
$5,000 - Wayne Pike Chapter of the American Red Cross in
2005 for flood disasters relief to the people in Pike County for rescue, emergency shelter, food, clean-up kits,
and much more.
$3,301 - Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA in 2001 for relief efforts
associated the World Trade Center disaster. The camp was asked by the National Relief Network and Pike County to
provide lodging for almost 500 disaster relief workers so they could commute daily to New York for several weeks
to work at Ground Zero. The camp was the only organization in Pike capable of housing such a large group.
Further inquires may be made at the Pike United Way office.
Pike County Community Ramp Fund
A fund initiated in August 2002 by a partnership between
the Pike United Way, Habitat for Humanity, the Lords Valley Rotary Club and a local anonymous donor as a way to
get wheelchair ramps to people who need them in Pike County. People who get the ramps promise to pay the fund back,
as best they can, so there will always be enough money in the fund for the next person in need. A ramp seems like
a small thing but it brings freedom to those that need them. Applicants are referred to Habitat for Humanity of Pike County.
Pike County Family Community Expo
A multi-organization effort to promote our Pike County Community
and the services available to Pike County residents of all ages. This free event started in 2003 and is usually
held in May. The expo features interactive educational and promotional exhibits from non-profit organizations,
county agencies, health care providers, child care providers, family friendly businesses along with local entertainment
by school choirs, local dance groups, karate clubs, area musicians and more.
Pike County Family Community Expo Committee: Pike United
Way, Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA, Child Care Information Services of Pike County, Early Care & Education Coalition
of Pike County, PA Department of Health, PA Department of Public Welfare, Penn State Cooperation Extension, Pike
County Area Agency on Aging, Pike County Tobacco Free Coalition.
Further inquires may be made at the Pike United Way office.
Partnered Programs with Local Corporations and Organizations
(e.g., Holiday Food Drive)
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