Author: Mei Cobb

Corporate Volunteering:  The Civic 50

03/15/13

The Civic 50 is the nation's first comprehensive ranking of S&P 500 companies that best use their time, talent and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. More

Family Volunteer Idea: Stone Soup

03/12/13

A hot pot of soup, steaming on the stove, is a welcome and nourishing sight during the harsh winter months. Holding a “Stone Soup” event – perhaps with family and friends – can help both social service organizations and the hungry in our midst. More

Volunteering – the Secret to a Long Life?

02/18/13

At age 96, Fred Egley is not your average volunteer. In addition to spearheading two World War II memorials in Norfolk, Nebraska, Fred has been an active volunteer with his church, from fundraising to painting the exterior when he was in his 80s. More

What are you doing for others?  Volunteer on the National Day of Service

01/18/13

As we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we recall his words, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" More

The 10th Annual Carol D. Reiser Children’s Book Award

12/05/12

The Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of Atlanta recently announced the winner of the 2012 Carol D. Reiser Children’s Book Award at the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Decatur Book Festival. This festival is the largest independent book festival in the country. More

Young People + Volunteering = Bright Future

11/17/12

As of October 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 7.9% unemployment rate in the United States. The figure is much higher, however, for young men and women. I am optimistic, though, about young adults who are spending their early 20’s volunteering through Teach for America, VISTA, City Year, and other service organizations like them. And I am proud of United Way’s role in helping idealistic young people find a way to serve, improve their skills and in some cases, earn money for college or graduate school. More

There’s an App for That?

11/07/12

It’s easier than ever to give back.  United Ways in Iowa have launched a free app for iPhones, iPads, and iPods which allow users to map volunteer opportunities in the Cedar Rapids or Des Moines metro areas. More

November 5 is International Volunteer Managers Day

11/05/12

Volunteers should get lots of thanks and recognition.  They make time, show up and share of themselves all in the name of helping someone else.  Worldwide, volunteers are essential to improving the education, income and health of people in need, protecting the environment, advocating for social change, and more.

Here’s a question: Where do the candidates stand on promoting volunteering and national service?

10/22/12

I thought it was great that individuals were permitted to ask questions during the second presidential debates. One question to ask is where the candidates stand on promoting volunteer engagement through national service. More

JUMPSTART THE AMERICAN DREAM

10/11/12

OPPORTUNITY NATION WEEK OF ACTION (OCT. 8TH-15TH) - Fewer Americans are likely to earn a high school diploma than their parents, a distinction not shared by any other industrialized country. We know that when students drop out of school, communities suffer. About one quarter of all students – one million students a year, 3,000 a day – fail to graduate on time. It’s no wonder that our trust in the power of the American Dream is wavering.

What Would Gandhi Say?

10/01/12

October 2^nd is a national holiday in India commemorating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It may have another designation soon, as Indian business, government and nonprofit leaders recently signed a petition to President Pranab Mukherjee to establish October 2^nd as "National Volunteering Day".  These leaders recognize that India’s future depends on volunteers, whose time, minds and muscles can speed the pace of development in their country of more than one billion people.

Let’s Play

09/27/12

Born Learning Trail

“Education.” Many of us automatically think “school” when we hear that word. But learning happens everywhere, especially for young children. And in our effort to cut the number of high school drop outs in half, United Way supports early childhood learning in diverse ways: through reading programs, book drives of course, but also in parks and on playgrounds. More

On 9/11, Do a Good Deed

09/10/12

9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

The National Day of Service & Remembrance is observed on 9/11 each year. Last year more than 30 million people volunteered or found other ways to connect with their communities and loved ones on 9/11 Day. More

Labor Days of Action with United Way

08/31/12

Speed Volunteers from St. Paul, MN

In the United States, we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September to recognize the economic and social contributions of working men and women. This Labor Day, I’d like to recognize two groups of union members who are volunteering in support of United Way initiatives. More

Be a Champion.  Serve the Community.

08/03/12

UNITED READS

I like soccer, and I like RFK, but here’s what I really like: huge signs, visible from every angle in the stadium, that prominently display the core of D.C. United’s mission statement: WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. SERVE THE COMMUNITY. More

High School Hoops Stars Give Back

07/24/12

Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League

On Friday, July 13th 2012 United Way had the pleasure of coordinating a service project for a great group of high school basketball players. The 10 young men were in the Washington, DC area to take part in Nike’s Global Challenge, an international tournament featuring the best high school players from around the world. More

Any Day is Volunteer Day

07/19/12

July 18 is Nelson Mandela Day – when we’re asked to spend 67 minutes in service in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of fighting for human rights. The concept is the same as United Way’s Day of Action (June 21) and International Volunteer Day (December 5) and many other days United Ways participate in: choose a meaningful day and issue a call to volunteer on that day.

Life Changing Anniversaries

07/18/12

United Way of Brazoria County’s annual Day of Action

As I write this we’re expecting our 6th day of 100 degrees or warmer this summer – part of a nationwide heat wave. Appropriately enough, NBC Nightly News recently reported on the 110th anniversary of the air conditioner and how it “changed our lives forever.” More

Thanks, Dad (and other men who care about kids)!

06/15/12

Father’s Day is coming up. No doubt lots of kids will be going on a special outing with their dad, or creating gifts, or even giving their father the old stand-by gift, a necktie. But since so many children don’t have the means to celebrate like this with their fathers, United Way of Northern New Jersey hosts an annual gift drive. More

The Gift of Graduation

06/01/12

For lots of families like mine, it is graduation season. This can be such a joyful time for the students and their families alike. I am so proud and grateful that my son is graduating from high school and looking forward to attending college. I also am grateful that my son had not only my husband and me to help him work hard to succeed in school, but also wonderful teachers, coaches, and other adult mentors. More

Athletes and United Ways Making a Difference

05/04/12

Across the country athletes are applying their talents to improve their communities More

Celebrating Tax Season

04/18/12

For many, tax season is a chore and we are relieved that another April 15th has come and gone. For others, tax season is a time to celebrate the chance to help others. That’s right. For some United Way volunteers, January through mid-April is a time when they know that their volunteering is making a huge difference in the lives of struggling families. These volunteers signed up last fall to be part of the VITA program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), which helps low-income people receive the tax refunds they are due. More

A Week for the Strong

04/17/12

It’s National Volunteer Week in the U.S., April 15-21, 2012. This special week, established in 1974, is a time to celebrate, honor and thank millions of volunteers across the country for giving their time and talent to help so many. Volunteering is what makes our country strong. More

In Celebration of Women

03/08/12

Did you know that today is International Women’s Day and an official holiday in 27 countries? While we don’t officially observe International Women’s Day in the U.S., we do observe the achievements of women during the entire month of March, which is designated as Women’s History Month both here and in the United Kingdom. More

United Way and NIKE, Inc’s Elite Youth Basketball Partner to Promote Volunteering

02/21/12

United Way and NIKE, Inc's Elite Youth Basketball Department partner to promote volunteering – utilizing NIKE’s grassroots events throughout the spring and summer as a platform to engage youth across the country in reading, tutoring and mentoring activities. More

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! Happy Reading Everyone!

02/20/12

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." From The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss. March 2nd marks the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Could there be a better day to celebrate the joys of childhood reading? And can you think of a better way to celebrate than to read to a child on that day?

Books and Encouragement

01/30/12

The Library of Congress recently named Walter Dean Myers its new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The position was created to raise awareness of the importance of young people's literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of their lives. More

Take the pledge TODAY in honor of MLK Day!

01/14/12

United Way celebrates MLK Day by recruiting volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. More

A Tax Season to Look Forward to

12/21/11

Wouldn’t it be great to help families receive the tax benefits they are due? Many United Ways across the country offer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a successful, proven strategy that mobilizes and trains volunteers to provide free tax service to working individuals and their families. VITA assists taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet by saving them the cost of tax preparation and helping them claim all tax credits for which they are eligible. More

Could there be a better gift than to know you’ve made a difference?

12/19/11

Make time this holiday season to volunteer with the ones you love – and resolve to make it a regular part of your life in the New Year! More

‘Tis the Season:  Holiday Giving, Advocating and Volunteering Ideas

12/15/11

As the holiday momentum picks up speed, we find more and more great ideas being generated for helping others.  Our colleagues at United Way of Anchorage have compiled a terrific guide that we want to share covering holiday giving, advocating and volunteering ideas.  These are just a few ways that you can give your time, talent and gifts during this holiday season.   More