Thank you to our Women United members who gathered at The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge on August 1st for the third annual Women United Luncheon.
Members heard about the 2018-2019 accomplishments of the affinity group, including hosting a hugely successful Power of the Purse, which raised $75,000 to be distributed to grants and projects in Knox County.
The program included updates from Naomi's House, the newly opened Recovery Home for Women in Mount Vernon and recipient of Women United funding. The residents and House Manager, Nadine, joined the luncheon and introduced themselves.
Lunch hosted guests from The Freedom Center, former United Way Campaign Ambassador, Rachel, and previous Women in Recovery Luncheon speaker, Jo. Jo shared her touching recovery poetry with the group as well.
Members also received the newest Women United Brochure, which details which projects will be funded in 2019-2020. For more information, email elizabeth@uwayknox.org.
Also present for the lunch was a representative of the Mount Vernon News. Katie, thank you for highlighting this great group of ladies and the impact they make in our community! Read the
As in previous years, the Annual Luncheon hosted the stuff the book-bags activity, in which ladies filled school bags full of school supplies, which were later distributed to Knox County children.
Women United members gave back by stuffing 200 backpacks full of schools supplies for local children in need! Bags were dropped at the Salvation Army and Mount Vernon Municipal Court.
A HUGE thank you to Morgan Spearman and Lily Stuller and Kris Mortellaro for being such dedicated volunteers, and to all Women United members who invest their time, talent, and treasure into impacting the lives of women and children in Knox County!
United Way Campaign
Our 2019 United Way campaign has officially kicked off!
Women United is a powerful affinity group of United Way and its members have the ability to spread the word about the great work that the group is accomplishing is accomplishing to unite our community! This is one of the many reasons why Women United is represented in our group of United Way Ambassadors.
Jonette graciously volunteered to represent United Way and Women United to the community in print - she is featured in our United Way luncheon program, online, in printed materials, and downtown on one of the many United Way banners lining Main Street in Mount Vernon. Thank you, Jonette!
Our Campaign theme this year is "In a World So Divided, LIVE UNITED". This theme highlights that diversity, inclusion, and community give value to every human being, no matter our differences. By promoting the health, education, and financial stability of all Knox County residents, we find ways that we can all agree and unite!
The 2019 Campaign aims to raise $1,185,000 to invest in 25 programs to be administered by 17 partner agencies as well as several community programs coordinated by United Way, including Crunch Out, Poverty Simulation, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and three local After School Elementary tutoring and enrichment programs.
Use this link to pledge your support to the 2019 United Way Campaign.
Grant Projects Announced
Women United Founders met and considered the grant applications. A full list of grant allocations was shared with ladies at the annual luncheon in August and is available in the Women United Brochure. We will share timely updates on Women United's Facebook page.
In August, Women United announced that they will continue to provide the Chris-Fit grant to Mount Vernon Municipal Court so that MERIT Court participants will have access to fitness scholarships. Municipal Court continues to explore opportunities to complete the mind-body-spirit recovery process in attempts to reduce recidivism and promote a safe community.
This year, Women United will also investing a Chris-Fit Community Restorative Yoga effort, run by Hot Yoga Escape.
We invite ladies of Women United to attend the free community class from 11:45am to 12:30pm any Tuesday at the Municipal Court building.
Brightening Lives
Centerburg Senior Services is the recipient of the Brighten Seniors' Lives with Care and Cuts grant. Through the grant, Women United provides funds to reduce the cost of haircuts, finger nail and toe nail trimmings, and therapeutic massages to clients of Centerburg Senior Services.
In early September, the group delivered their first therapeutic message though the grant. The recipient handed them this card in return (shown on the right).
Volunteer Opportunities
The following programs and organizations are actively recruiting volunteers.
