February 2021 e-Newsletter
Celebrating Black History Month with Book DriveTo celebrate Black History Month, we are hosting a virtual book drive during the month of February. Help us put books featuring Black characters and influential Black American figures into the hands of eager young readers in our community. We will use the funds to purchase the books and donate them to local elementary schools, increasing access to books promoting a positive equity message. Lake County Recognizes February 11 as 211 DayIn special recognition of our 211 helpline, the Lake County Board proclaimed February 11 as “211 Day” in Lake County, Illinois. We are grateful to Lake County government for their partnership and generous support of our 211 service, as well as the many partners and individuals who have contributed to help make 211 a reality for our community. 211 has already made a tremendous impact, making more than 70,000 connections to essential health and human services. 211 Day is a wonderful opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this vital service to improve and save lives here in Lake County. Watch as Lake County Board Member Linda Pedersen reads the special recognition of 211, followed by remarks from Deanna Olmem and Quinton Snodgrass from United Way of Lake County, as well as Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. Save the Date: March 18From corporations to communities, in offices and in homes, people are eager to better understand the issues that divide and unite us based on culture and race. Within our own Lake County community, residents want to take action to break down barriers, bridge differences, and bring people together. Despite all that we see on the news, social media, and within our inner circles, many of us still don’t know what first steps to take. This community dialogue aims to change that. The purpose of this county-wide conversation is to listen, learn and then lead. Women United of Lake County will be hosting this “Lake County Community Dialogue on Race” on Thursday, March 18 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Registration information will be shared soon. Mark your calendars today. Company Spotlight: Amcor TechnologiesThis month, we would like to highlight Amcor Technologies and its employees at the Buffalo Grove and Mundelein locations. Amcor hosted a variety of raffles and awareness events in support of their annual employee giving campaign that raised nearly $20k for United Way of Lake County’s programs. Thank you so much, Amcor! Interested in learning more about starting a United Way campaign at your workplace? Learn more below or contact Dennis Burke at (847) 775-1014 or dennis.burke@uwlakeco.org. Sign Up for Bright by TextUnited Way of Lake County has partnered with Bright by Text to provide parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age 8 with information on child development plus local events and resources. We encourage you to try out this free service, and you can stop at any time. When you sign up, you will receive text messages in English or Spanish that are specific to the age of your child and include local community resources targeted by your zip code. Bright by Text messages include research-based content on child development and learning, as well as information about valuable community services and events happening right here in Lake County. To sign up, text “UWLC” to 274448; or by clicking below. We Accepted the Challenge. Will You?We’ve joined our neighbors across the state to learn how inequity and systemic racism impact our lives and communities. Join the more than 1,000 people from Lake County who have already signed up for the free 21-week Equity Challenge. The Challenge started on January 18 but it’s not too late to join, as it runs through June 19, 2021. You will receive one email per week. United, we can help create a stronger, more equitable Illinois economy and stronger, more inclusive Illinois communities. Meet Our New Intern: David AstudilloWe are excited to welcome our newest intern, David Astudillo! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our 211 team, David is capturing 211 caller stories for our newsletters and collecting monthly report data. He is also assisting the marketing team by gathering social media analytics, offering ideas to enhance UWLC’s presence on social media, and more. Learn more about David by clicking below. |