Pre-K Advocacy efforts are paying off!

We just received some wonderful news from our friends at TECEC:

Your hard work has paid off. Yesterday at 11:50 PM, the Texas Senate approved HB 130, 26-5, meaning that full-day high-quality pre-k has officially passed the 81st Texas Legislature! We only have one more step to go. Now it must clear Governor Rick Perry’s desk before it becomes law. The Governor has until June 21, 2009 to veto or sign a bill into law. It is important that we act now to get the message to the Governor that high-quality pre-k is important to Texans.

Only an organized and loud message to the Governor can ensure that HB 130 successfully passes the Governor’s desk. Please take a few moments to send him a message today!

Click here to send the Governor this important message.

Give5 Memorial Day -- where did you shop/eat?

It was great to see bloggers and social media enthusiasts talk up the Give5 campaign. People really got behind it and sent it out via their extensive networks. Give5 supporters included Addie Broyles, food writer from the Austin American-Statesman, Jenna Noel, associate publisher from Edible Austin, Mike Sutter, food critic from the Austin American-Statesman, Jodi Bart from Tasty Touring and Monica Williams from Giving City Magazine.

--Mando

How did you Give5 this past Memorial Day weekend?

Were you out of town, and missed out on the fun? Head on over to Plucker's tonight -- Thursday, May 28th, 6-9pm - Pluckers Wing Bar/KGSR Party with a Purpose - 3909 S. Lamar
Join Pluckers and KGSR for one crazy fun party, with live music by Marshall Ford Swing Band, drink specials and 20% of food sales donated to United Way Capital Area. Be sure to mention UWCA when you attend this party with a purpose!

Help Local Seniors at AGE SAFE WEEK June 3-10, 2009

Our friends at AGE of Austin are committed to ensuring that older adults with limited resources live as independently as possible in a safe and health environment.

They write to let us know that:

• Every 18 seconds someone aged 65+ is treated in the emergency department for a fall*
  
• Every 35 minutes a senior dies as a result of injuries sustained in a fall*
  
• The average health care cost of a fall injury is $19,440, excluding doctor's services*
  

While one in three older adults falls each year, many of these accidents are preventable through home modifications, fall prevention training, and the use of durable medical equipment.

Join AGE in raising awareness of senior safety by donating cash or equipment to our free Durable Medical Equipment lending program. Simple items such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches, and canes are life-enhancing pieces of equipment that empowers seniors to live safely in their homes.

In 2008, AGE provided over 700 pieces of equipment at no charge to low-income seniors or disabled Central Texans. Unfortunately, our waiting list is now longer than ever and we need your help.

Over 75 local seniors are currently on the waiting list!

On Wednesday, June 3rd, 8am-6pm, please come by the historic AGE building (3710 Cedar Street) to drop off durable medical equipment or to make a donation. In return, you'll receive a sweet treat, a donation receipt, and "Words of Wisdom", words of advice written by seniors who would like to share their wisdom with you.

To learn more, visit the AGE of Austin website:

http://ageofaustin.org/

Give5 with Blue Star Caféteria

If you haven't been there, you'll discover that Blue Star Caféteria has a cool interior, high-quality ingredients, and new twists on great, traditional comfort food dishes.



Enjoy their comfort cuisine for lunch, brunch or dinner at Blue Star Cafeteria during the entire weekend (May 23-25) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Get your gelato at Paciugo & Give5

Gelato: this delightful treat is 80 percent less fat than American ice cream. It has a velvety texture that melts in your mouth without leaving any unpleasant coating.


That sounds like bliss...

When you enjoy gelato any time of day during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) at Paciugo and 5% of the proceeds will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Additionally, be sure to stop by from 3-5pm on Monday, May 25th for an exclusive gelato tasting specifically for Give5 attendees.

Giving 5 at The Hub

Fatty or Flatty?!? Either choice of burger will be a great way to Give5, when you dine at The Hub during the entire weekend (May 23-25).


5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

If you are learning about Give5 for the first time, check out give5centraltexas.org for a coupon book that contains all of the events and opportunities to give back this Memorial Day Weekend.

Give5 at a FREE wine tasting...

You'll want to stop by House Wine (408 Josephine Street) tomorrow evening, if you hadn't planned to already.

Give5 attendees be sure to RSVP for an exclusive FREE wine tasting on May 23rd from 6-8pm.

Additionally shop all weekend and 5% of your proceeds will be donated back to United Way Capital Area. Mention Give5 and receive 50% off the Tuscan Olive Three Cheese spread with crackers.

Free Wine Tasting, 6-8pm, House Wine

An exclusive event for Give5 attendees…check out the latest specials and deals and also receive 50% off the Tuscan Olive Three Cheese spread with crackers.

Santa Rita Cantina is Giving 5

What would a Memorial Day Weekend fundraiser be without a stop for some Tex Mex?



Stop by Santa Rita Cantina during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25)
and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Touch of Sass

Add a little "sass" to your ensemble, and help a great cause!

Mention Give5 when you shop for accessories at Touch of Sass, and 5% of your entire purchase from May 23-24th (Touch of Sass is closed Monday, May 25th) will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Sunday, May 24th, 2-4pm

Don’t miss out on your chance to win a gift certificate package for dinner and a massage at the Four Seasons when you shop at Touch of Sass during this exclusive event for Give5 attendees!

Check out the coupon book at give5centraltexas.org for more great ways to give back over Memorial Day Weekend, and don't forget to Give $5! It's secure, quick and easy!

Show how you Give5 by eating lots of Tiff's Treats

Gift Card Giveaway – make a donation to UWCA May 22-25 and you may win a Tiff’s Treats Gift Card! Limited quantity available each day so donate now. Winners will be announced Tuesday, May 26th

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with the winners of the 2008 Austin Chronicle Sweets/Goodies Readers Poll.

Order your favorite Tiff's Treats cookies during Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd-25th) and 5% of the proceeds will be donated to the United Way Capital Area.

Mention coupon code "Give5" when ordering and receive 15% off any order!

Beyond Tradition

Shop at this chic 2nd Street store any time during Memorial Day weekend for jewelry and accessories as unique as Austin, and 5% of the proceeds of your purchases will be donated to UWCA.

Additionally, be sure to stop by on Monday, May 25th from 2-4pm during the exclusive Give5 2nd Street Block Party and earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from UCHI!

Give5 and Live United at Barnes & Noble Booksellers

When you're doing your bookstore browsing and shopping this weekend, don't forget to grab the Barnes & Noble Give5 voucher (found inside our coupon book at give5centraltexas.org)--or mention United Way’s Give5 program at check-out.

At least 10% of your total sale will be donated by Barnes & Noble to United Way during the entire weekend (May 23-25th.)

Additionally, look for the Women's Giving Network and Success by 6 book fair displays and purchase books from the wish list to be donated back to United Way's education programs.

Give5...what if there was a small way to make a big difference?

A big thank you to Overflow Creative for producing our Give5 PSA, and Grande Communications for providing the airtime to broadcast it.



Learn more about how you can make a difference at give5united.org

Chocolate, Wine, and Giving 5...

Mmmm. Who doesn't love chocolate? Eating chocolate, drinking wine, doing good for the community. Does it get any better than that?

Check out the selection of scrumptious desserts at Viva Chocolato and 15% of your purchase during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) will be donated back to UWCA.

Additionally, receive a FREE $10 gift card with any purchase of $25 or more.

And, on Saturday, May 23rd, be sure to check out Viva Chocolato's Chocolate Party, from 2-4pm, $20 per person, Viva Chocolato!

Attend an exclusive Chocolate/Wine Tasting or Fondue Party at Viva Chocolato! specifically for Give5 attendees…

Three 2oz. pours of three different wines are perfectly paired with three different Artisan Chocolate Truffles, and described by VC’s Chocolate Guide, who will also convey a bit of fascinating chocolate history, amazing health benefit information, and how to pair chocolates with wines.

Or, enjoy VC’s dark or milk chocolate fondue with a variety of fruits and sides. Attendees will also have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to McCormick & Schmick’s Restaurant in the Domain.

Wow. Thank you, Viva Chocolato.

Tomorrow is the big day for Early Childhood Education...

We're down to the wire with HB130 in the Texas Legislature, as it is coming up for vote in the Senate Committee on Education tomorrow.

Early Childhood Advocates have done an amazing job, so far, now it's time to hit this one out of the park. Do you part, tell the Senate Committee how much this means to you, and don't forget to ask your friends to do the same!

Go to:
http://ga3.org/campaign/HB_130_SenateEd_II/

to make your voice be heard.

Shop at Lilly Pulitzer to Give5, Live United

Get over to The Domain this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day and Give5 with cupcakes, cocktails; and pick up your free gift when you make a purchase.

Don't forget...you'll be helping out a great cause when you shop there, 'cause 5% of your purchase will go to help United Way's programs!

Give5 with Sanctuary...Sanctuary Lives United...

It's the perfect weekend to Give5 by shopping at Sanctuary. Find some great home decor gifts for the graduates in your life.

When you shop during Memorial Day weekend (Sanctuary’s hours: closed Sunday, May 24th; open Monday, May 25th: 12noon - 4pm) at Sanctuary, 5% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to UWCA.

Sanctuary's address and details are in the Give5 coupon book, along with all of the other great Austin neighbors who are helping us out:

give5centraltexas.org

P. Terry's Burger Stand is Giving ALL this Saturday (23rd).

Can it get any easier to do good than this? Eat at P. Terry's any time this Saturday (23rd), and they will donate all of their proceeds from the purchase to United Way Capital Area.

(You know you were going to stop by after doing your Give5 shopping, anyway!)

Don't forget to tell all of your friends, family and loved ones about this:
http://www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/give5/



404 S. Lamar (Corner of Barton Springs & Lamar)
3303 Lamar (32nd Street & Lamar)

How milk+honey Spa & SALON by milk+honey Lives United and Gives 5

Are you planning on booking your next spa treatment soon? milk + honey spas do it all, including: massages, facials, body treatments, and natural nail therapy. Men, milk + honey was voted Best Spa for Men in Austin!

But wait!

Don't make an appointment without mentioning Give5! Mention Give5 when you make an appointment and 5% of your purchase will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Additionally, be sure to stop by milk+honey Spa and SALON on Monday, May 25th from 12noon - 2pm for an exclusive event, coupons and FREE gift certificates for Give5 attendees.

Bennu Coffee Lives United, Gives 5

Be sure to stop by our neighbors, Bennu Coffee, any time during this Memorial Day weekend--and, we literally mean any time, because they are open 24/7.

5% of your purchase will go to help fund our programs. You can Give $5 right now, and learn more about Give5, at give5centraltexas.org.

Give5 Updates...

Our friends at networkinaustin.com are participating in Give5!

Build a better business network and give back to the community at the same time. Join NetworkinAustin as a new member between now and Memorial Day (May 15-25) and $10 will be donated back to United Way Capital Area. (Please type "Give5" in the 'Referred By' field.)

And, we've added another Special Event, thanks to Touch of Sass:

Sunday, May 24th, 2-4pm, Touch of Sass

Don’t miss out on your chance to win a gift certificate package for dinner and a massage at the Four Seasons when you shop at Touch of Sass during this exclusive event for Give5 attendees!

Check out the coupon book at give5centraltexas.org for more great ways to give back over Memorial Day Weekend, and don't forget to Give $5! It's secure, quick and easy!

The Give5 coupon book...

Want to know where to shop this Memorial Day weekend?

Have at your fingertips all of the Austin businesses who will be participating in Give5:

From Texans Care for Children: Tell the Texas Senate You Support HB 130

***Please take a moment to call or email the Senate Education Committee members below about quality, full-day pre-kindergarten for Texas children***

Before Thursday, contact the Senate Education Committee to say you support HB 130. The bill is scheduled to be heard by the committee at 8 a.m., May 14 in E1.028. Contact the members below and urge them to advance the quality pre-K bill out of committee.

TECEC, the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition, notes: "The benefits of high-quality pre-k have been widely recognized by education researchers, economists, and business professionals. ...Investing in high-quality pre-k programs leads to fewer children entering the juvenile justice system, fewer special education referrals, less grade retention, decreased dropout rates, and reduced child welfare costs. Those facts come straight from Texas' own Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. The conservative cost-benefit analysis found that every $1.00 invested in high quality pre-kindergarten programs returns at least $3.50 back to local communities."

Senate Education Committee

Chair - Sen. Florence Shapiro: florence.shapiro@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0108
Vice Chair - Sen. Dan Patrick: dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0107

Sen. Kip Averitt: kip.averitt@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-012
Sen. Wendy Davis: wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0110
Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr.: mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0106
Sen. Steve Ogden: steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0105
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte: leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0126
Sen. Royce West: royce.west@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-012
Sen. Tommy Williams: tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us (512) 463-0104

Deloitte Recruits Employees by Focusing on Volunteerism

On April 17th, Deloitte partnered with United Way Capital Area to host a volunteer day for prospective employees from the University of Texas at Austin. 140 students and employees worked on projects across Austin impacting community educational, financial stability, and health needs. Students saw firsthand Deloitte’s culture of sharing time and talent with the community and made a meaningful impact. United Way was proud to help manage this important effort in partnership with Deloitte.

Walter Powell, a Partner in Deloitte's Austin Audit group, kicks off the event.

As part of United Way Capital Area’s Hands On Central Texas work, volunteer project management helps corporations leverage limited resources by working with United Way staff in the design, preparation, and implementation of large-scale volunteer projects.

The outcomes speak for themselves: students and employees had a meaningful volunteer experience, Deloitte showcased its commitment to supporting employee volunteerism, and most of all, Central Texas was better off at the end of the day.


Contact Lauren Paver, Director of Corporate Relations at United Way Capital Area at 225-0393 or lauren.paver@unitedwaycapitalarea.org to learn more about how United Way can be a resource for your company through a managed volunteer project.

United Way & Lights Camera Help!

FILMS FOR A CAUSE FIND THEIR FESTIVAL

Lights. Camera. Help., the premiere film festival
exclusively for non-profit and grassroots organizations, officially
opened its submission process last week.

Four prominent non-profit organizations, including United Way Capital Area showed their support for the festival by formally submitting their films at the Reel-to-Reality
event held at Southwest Key’s East Side Community Center.

Representatives from the American Cancer Society, United Way Capital Area, the
Capital Area Food Bank and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary spoke about
the value of the films-for-a-cause genre, showed trailers for their
films and then formally submitted their films.

This is the first annual Lights. Camera. Help. festival, where films
and videos with a cause directly related to a non-profit or grass
roots organization will be evaluated on a rigorous criteria by a panel
of judges. The films and videos will gain recognition by being
considered the best in one of several distinct categories. Proceeds
from the event with go to the organization that is the subject of the
winning video.

This festival is the first of its kind in the nation and reflects the
spirit of Austin, a city with prominent non-profit, grassroots and
activism communities. Non-profits, grassroots organizations and
filmmakers will use the festival to spread the word about their cause,
develop a community of followers, and expand the film-for-a-cause
genre.

It’s free to submit to Lights. Camera. Help. and any film or video is
welcome, so long as the emphasis of the video is on a non-profit or
grassroots organization.

“We really wanted to make sure that every non-profit organization is
able to tell its story, regardless of resources. A lot of film
festivals charge 50, 60 even 100 dollars to enter a film. We do not.”
- Co-founder David J. Neff

In its first year, Lights. Camera. Help. was conceived by three
friends, Aaron Bramley, David J. Neff and Rich Vázquez. “We created
Lights. Camera. Help. because we want to help non-profits and
grassroots organizations gain visibility through film and video,” said
Co-founder Aaron Bramley. “It’s a phenomenal way to tell your story,
and it doesn’t have to be expensive.”

“The idea was to give non-profit videos validity and merit by judging
them. We want people to see these videos, know they’re important and
say ‘hey, that’s a cause I want to support.’” - Rich Vázquez, Co-
founder of Lights. Camera. Help.

The Festival will begin on July 31st and up-to-date information can be
found at http://lightscamerahelp.com.

Capital Area SECC honored by TX Legislature

As a part of Public Service Recognition Week, the Capital Area State Employee Charitable Campaign was recognized on May 7th with HCR 121 honoring their extraordinary success in raising $2.1 million for local, national and international charities during the 2008 campaign. The Capital Area State Employee Charitable Campaign is managed by United Way Capital Area.

Despite these challenging economic times, some 8,000 state and higher education employees throughout Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, Mason, San Saba, Travis, and Williamson Counties donated to more than 600 charities statewide during the 2008 campaign.

The resolution is authored by Representatives Maldonado and Senator Watson and is co-authored by Representatives Kleinschmidt, Rodriguez, Dukes, Strama, Aycock, Bolton, Gattis, Donna Howard, Naishtat and Rose. The Capital Area Local Employee Committee was in attendance when the resolution was passed.

Congratulations Capital Area state and higher education employees for a job well done!

For video of the House and Senate readings, click here-- http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/chamber/81.htm See session 05/07/09 10:00 a.m.- 11:57 p.m. (on playback clock from 45:20 to 48:00).
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/ See session May 07 Senate Session (Part II) (on playback clock at 13:25 to 14:46).

Financial Stability Advocacy

Our friends at Austin Interfaith are working hard as advocates this legislative session to get bills passed and signed that will help keep our economy here in Central Texas strong. We've written several times about one of our important funded programs, Capital IDEA, which is a proven program to train workers in fields that are in-demand now, and in the future.

Programs like Capital IDEA, on average, triple the earnings of low-income adults to $30,718 with benefits and a career path. Job retention rates average 92.8%. More than 9,000 adults have been placed in jobs through these projects throughout the state of Texas.

The three bills that would create the “Jobs for Education for Texas” (JET) Fund are: HB1935 (Representative Villarreal), SB1313 (Senator Shapiro) and HB2812 (Representative Swinford). Passage and signing of these bills will fund proven programs like Capital IDEA through a $10 million competitive state grant program, to be administered by the Comptroller’s office.

The Network of Texas IAF Organizations will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 12th at 12:30pm to call on our lawmakers to pass and sign this important legislation. To learn more about the advocacy work of Austin Interfaith, visit their website.

Yellow Ribbon Pre-Deployment

The United Way 211 Texas Helpline attended the Yellow Ribbon Pre-deployment event on May 2^nd as a speaker and exhibitor. The Yellow Ribbon pre-deployment gave spouses and parents of service members being deployed to Afghanistan an opportunity to understand what resource are available to them.

The United Way Helpline supports the TEXAS MILITARY ACCESS PROJECT by providing veterans, active duty, and their respective family members with information and referral to health and human service.

This is taken a step further through a Partnership that has been established with the United Way in San Antonio which allows the United Way Help line to transfer vets, active duty, or family members of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to the San Antonio United Way for specialized Information & Referral. These I&R specialists are vets themselves or family members of vets. They conduct a more thorough search and follow up with 100% of callers. Another added benefit is that services members who are oversees can chat online with the I&R specialists (http://www.military211help.org/Pages/Chat%20Line.html). They receive an email with all the resources they were given, and the calls and e-chats are confidential. And coming soon a TEXTING to access services.

HB 130 placed on House Calendar, let's make sure it passes

From our friends at TECEC:

Your hard work has helped HB 130--full day high-quality pre-k--move forward in the Texas Legislative process. On Saturday, this critical legislation was placed on the General State Calendar, meaning that there is a strong probability that the House will bring it to a floor vote sometime this week. However, the more legislators hear from you on this subject the more likely the bill will come up for a vote quickly. The clock is ticking in the 81st Legislative Session, so pre-k advocates must do all they can to let their Representatives know how important HB 130 is to them.

It is now absolutely critical that your Representative in the Texas House hears from you on HB 130 today.

Click here to take action now.

2009 Spring Day of Caring Video

United Way and Hands On Central Texas Spring 2009 Day of Caring from unitedwaycapitalarea on Vimeo.