Celebrating a Stellar Campaign!

Pepco Holdings, Inc., conducted a leading United Way workplace campaign and wrapped this year's campaign up in style at an appreciation luncheon on Monday, March 29th. The celebration of a job well done was amplified by their in-house company rock group, the Static Band.

Janet Randolph, Pepco Regional Campaign Chair, emceed the event for executives and staff volunteers who helped them top the list of UWNCA contributors. She commended business units that achieved 100% participation, as well as organizers of out-of the-box fundraising events like their long-running car show, company talent show, and a prize drawing for a heart-adorned quilt designed and stitched by Pepco employees.

The funds raised through these events went to support United Way’s Community Impact Fund, a general fund that allows United Way to allocate money to pressing community needs through a competitive grant process. Randolph shared that this approach provided a counterpoint to the employee contributions which traditionally are designated to specific agencies. “We’re trying to help in as many dimensions as possible,” said Randolph.

United Way thanks Pepco’s leadership and their entire team for all they do to support United Way and our community.

How Did You Spend Your Spring Break?

What happens when your local United Way links up with United Way Worlwide to give back to the community?

It's called Alternative Spring Break(ASB). As a United Way staff member, Dave Kurtz, signed up to support this exciting way to use his spring break.

They worked on many projects at the Frazer Center in Atlanta, GA. United Way staff and students worked on a bunch of projects, including the creation of literacy kits for students, garden planning and work for the facilities.

Volunteers also created accessible garden planters for individuals with physical limitations!

How are you spending your spring break - are you giving back? We want to hear your story - email sselender@uwnca.org and your volunteer experience may be featured on on our blog!

Have you prepared your tax return yet?

Have you prepared your tax return yet?

As the result of generous grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, United Way of the National Capital Area has joined forces with community partners to help families and individuals benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Northern Virginia CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) and the DC EITC Campaign each received $30,000 in grant funds to raise awareness about the EITC and to support Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites where low-income workers can go to have their taxes completed for free. Low-income individuals and families in the greater Washington area who qualify for the Federal Government’s EITC program can earn up to $5,657 in tax credits for the 2009 tax year.

Why is this important to you?

EITC and tax preparation support may increase the refund amount that individuals receive or help reduce the amount of taxes owed.

Area residents may visit Northern Virginia CASH and DC EITC through April 15, 2010 to access this support. Volunteers will be on-hand to prepare taxes and to provide other assistance. You can also prepare your taxes on your own by visiting www.myfreetaxes.com/metrodc

Watch a related clip featured on WUSA!