United Way of Northwest Georgia

As we wrap up our Make a Difference Day highlights, we celebrate the philanthropic efforts of our next generation of leaders with United Way, The Young Leaders Society, and Youth United! Youth United participated in the 30th annual Conasauga River Watershed Clean-Up, removing trash from the Lakeshore Park location along the river and contributing to the environmental health of our community. ♻️ The Young Leaders Society installed a Born Learning Trail at Brookwood Park! With ten interactive signs available in both English and Spanish, the Trail invites young children and their families to engage in activities that nurture critical early learning skills. Whether counting, recognizing shapes, or playing simple games, each stop along the Trail turns an ordinary walk into a learning adventure. ☀️ We owe a special thanks to Michael Hendricks and his team with The Dalton Parks and Recreation Department for installing the posts and helping plan the location of the project.

We are pleased to announce United Way of Northwest Georgia’s first Small Business Big Impact member, The Gallant Goat. This small business is owned and operated by Elizabeth Caperton and John Wilson and can be found at 307 S Hamilton St, Dalton, GA 30720. Small businesses are the heartbeat of our local economy, driving growth and innovation in Northwest Georgia. By partnering with United Way of Northwest Georgia through a gift of $365 or more annually, your business can make a big impact with a small investment. As a United Way Small Business | Big Impact partner, you showcase your business as a community leader and join a vibrant network of fellow businesses committed to positive change. Become a part of this inspiring group today and watch your business grow and thrive while giving back to the community! Visit the link below for more information: https://lnkd.in/eWXx8hEC

Shaw Industries led a Make a Difference Day project at the Whitfield County Dalton Day Care Center, creating a new "Outdoor Learning Area" for the children. This space will serve as a garden and art area, providing educational opportunities in science and the arts. Volunteers also painted educational games on sidewalks, enhancing the outdoor environment for toddlers and preschoolers. The project's long-term impact will be evident with the children and their families enjoying the newly designed area while entering and exiting the center.

Mohawk Industries sponsored, installed, and stocked two new Little Free Libraries for Make a Difference Day at Westside Elementary School and Cedar Ridge Elementary School. The Little Free Libraries operate on a simple, community-driven concept: Participants are encouraged to leave books they’ve enjoyed in the library boxes, allowing others to discover new titles. Likewise, readers can browse the selection and take a book home to read. With a rotating collection of books, the libraries promote a spirit of sharing and learning while making reading materials available year-round. 📚 For a full list of United Way’s Little Free Libraries and to find the nearest one, please visit our website at https://lnkd.in/eu8JmMQB.

Make a Difference Day Premier Sponsor, Marketing Alliance Group, sponsored a project at Community Partner, the Salvation Army. Volunteers supplied essential household furnishings for four transitional housing units as part of the Salvation Army’s Transitional Housing Program. This program helps homeless families become independent by providing temporary housing, household supplies, and support in developing a strengths-based service plan. This program is free for families, allowing them to focus on increasing their financial stability to find permanent housing. Volunteers supplied new shelving for the storage room and purchased, organized, and stocked all the essentials needed for these families to have a fresh start and a smooth transition when beginning the program. Thank you, Marketing Alliance Group, for making a difference!

Dalton Utilities/OptiLink tackled a Make a Difference Day project with the Boys and Girls Club. In addition to their Make a Difference Day project from 2023, the 2024 project continued the work that had started last year, addressing drainage issues between the playgrounds and fields. Volunteers ran 400 feet of underground piping, installed catch basins, trimmed trees, installed curbing around the parking lot, and planted grass. Volunteers accurately redirected the flow of stormwater to the newly installed piping system, which will prevent the playground from washing out in the future. This project will make a difference in the lives of the young people who are served, their families, and the community!

Make a Difference Day Premier Sponsor, Mannington Phenix, sponsored a project at the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, focusing on outdoor beautification. Volunteers worked tirelessly to enhance the safety, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal of the space. Overall, the project will benefit the current residents and serve as a model for future community enhancement, demonstrating the value of investing in supportive and welcoming environments. Thank you, Mannington Phenix, for making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families in our local community. Special thanks to Southern Outdoor Landscapes for providing the flower bed pebbles and to Exterior Incorporation for donating the mulch, tools, and prep work needed to ensure this project’s success!

Kicking off Make a Difference Day (Week), the Women's Leadership Council of United Way stepped up in a powerful way! 🤩 WLC members donated, organized, and packed supply kits to donate to each of the three local school systems for students who are currently unstably housed. From essential toiletries to kitchen supplies, they worked to ensure families in need have access to items that will bring a sense of stability during an uncertain time. This simple act of kindness is a testament to how a United community can make an immediate and meaningful impact. ☀️

We were honored to celebrate the success of the 2024 Dalton Grand Prix yesterday afternoon with a check presentation at The Gallant Goat. This event was made possible by generous Sponsors, dedicated Volunteers, and Jonathan Sierra, Board Member and Volunteer Center Cabinet member. The Dalton Grand Prix was more than just a race—it was an opportunity to come together, make a difference, and give back to our community. Every lap, every mile, and every participant played a role in creating lasting change that will benefit so many! 🥳

On this beautiful Fall Friday, we want to show some extra appreciation to one of our Corporate Donors, Bank OZK. 🍂 Bank OZK provided United Way of Northwest Georgia with a grant to support our ongoing work in education and literacy, including financial literacy. 🎓 We appreciate David Gregg, EVP Market Leader, and Bank OZK's ongoing support of our local community.