On March 4, 2014, United Way Virginia Highlands honored Food City CEO, Steve Smith with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-time service and support to the community. The United Way Virginia Highlands Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose contributions, sustained over a lifetime, have helped create opportunities for a better life for all and advance the common good in communities across Southwest Virginia. Smith is being recognized for the span and scope of his community involvement, the numerous lives he has touched through his work; and the legacy that his work will leave behind.

Smith, a loyal contributor of United Way, has helped United Ways across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee garner financial support to meet the community’s most pressing needs. Since he was campaign cabinet chair in 2006, Steve Smith has assembled the support of thousands of employees raising nearly a million dollars towards community initiatives. In 2009, Smith helped co-found the UWVH Corporate Partnership Program, a program that provides corporate dollars to help offset United Way’s overhead costs. He has been a strong supporter of disaster recovery efforts, Backpacks Unite, and the Leadership Giving Society.

Smith is an advocate for United Way efforts across the region. With the creation of Food City Celebrity Bagging, an annual event that brings local celebrities from across the region together to bag groceries at Food City stores each November, he has helped to raise awareness and resources for the United Way. “Mr. Smith’s longstanding support of United Way is a tremendous asset to communities throughout our region,” said Travis Staton, CEO of United Way Virginia Highlands. “Throughout a lifetime of philanthropy and community support, Mr. Smith has helped grow the United Way movement, through his efforts and stewardship of the annual campaign cabinet and continual advocacy for Southwest Virginia to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. His extraordinary leadership remains a benchmark moment in philanthropy, and the catalytic effect will be felt for generations to come.”

Newsletter | Spring 2014

Mr. Steve Smith receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award

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United Way Virginia Highlands proudly serves Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Grayson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell and Washington Counties and the City of Galax

STEVE SMITH RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDby Alison Hicks, Director of Resource Development

United Way Virginia Highland’s Leadership Giving Society hosted a pre-event reception to recognize the organization’s most generous supporters. Attendees enjoyed music by a local bluegrass band, The Ironics, as well as a wine tasting by Abingdon Vineyard and Winery in conjunction with the 2014 United Way Red Wine promotion.

The Leadership Giving Society Advisory Board meets quarterly at the United Way Abingdon Office. Those interested in being a part of the Leadership Giving Society contact Alison Hicks at ahicks@uwvh.org or 276-525-4075.

LEADERSHIP GIVING IN 2014

For a complete listing of awards and their winners, please visit UWVH.org or scan the QR code to the right! To learn more about the annual awards banquet, contact Director of Resource Development, Alison Hicks at 276-525-4075 or email ahicks@uwvh.org.

READ ACROSS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

Everyone knows that reading is crucial to success in school. As Superintendent of Washington County Schools, Dr. Brian Ratliff said, “Reading is not only the gateway to reaching academic capacity, but one of the most critical variables in achieving overall success in life.” But some people don’t realize where reading success begins – at birth. One of the most important things parents can do to help children become good readers is to read to them every day.

So, Smart Beginnings coalitions across Southwest Virginia have been promoting reading to young children. Smart Beginnings Virginia Highlands and Smart Beginnings Twin County recruited local celebrities to read to children in all the Pre-K classes in schools, all Head Start classes as

well as at child care programs working with our Star Quality program. They also provided the Dr. Seuss book, “Hop On Pop,” to all the children. Over 4,000 children received books and other learning supplies. Smart Beginnings Wythe/Bland arranged for volunteers to visit child care centers to read to their children.

Smart Beginnings Appalachian Region used Read Across America Day as an opportunity to kick off their new reading promotion program. Volunteers across their area began reading to children who come with their families to local food pantries. While the family finds the food they need, a volunteer reads to the child and gives the child a book to take home.

The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth recently awarded United Way Virginia Highlands and the Smyth County Healthy Communities Action Team (HCAT) a grant of $61,335 for a program called Walking and Playing Through the Ages. These funds will be used to develop a new playground to encourage physical activity and outdoor recreation from toddlers to adults. Leaders in the Town of Saltville wanted to develop a new playground site that would get more use and could be used as a center for community activity. A recent grant from KaBoom! generated significant community interest in the playground.

As community members came together to discuss options, they realized how much more could be accomplished. Members of the HCAT wanted to incorporate the Town’s assets in Civil War History, Paleontology, Geology, biodiversity and other

natural resources to provide the opportunity to educate while encouraging physical activity. An outdoor classroom is being considered as well as kiosks designed to direct people to already existing trails.

Members of the Smyth County Healthy Communities Action Team include Mountain CAP, Mount Rogers Planning District, Museum of the Middle Appalachians, Smart Beginnings Virginia Highlands, Smyth County Schools and the Town of Saltville as well as United Way Virginia Highlands.

If you are interested in learning more of becoming part of the volunteer team, please Contact Angie Sproles, United Way Director of Community Impact at asproles@uwvh.org or call 276-525-4101.

VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY YOUTH AWARDS SUBSTANTIAL GRANT FOR USE IN SMYTH COUNTYby Angie Sproles, Director of Community Impact

by Buckey Boone, Smart Beginnings SWVA Regional Director

CALLING ALL

VOLUNTEERS!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Be a part of building the Saltville playground on June 19th! Build Day includes a morning shift from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and an afternoon shift from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Your lunch will even be provided! Just in case, the project’s rain date of June 20th has already been set. Register to volunteer online at uwvh.org/sign-up or scan the QR code to the right!

Smart Beginnings is also spreading the word about the importance of reading through billboards and bookmarks. Billboards with the simple message, “Read with your child…everyday” have appeared throughout the region. Libraries and child care centers are distributing the same message with bookmarks. Help us spread the message: READ WITH YOUR CHILD…EVERYDAY!

For more information on Smart Beginnings, contact Buckey Boone, Smart Beginnings Southwest Virginia Regional Director at bboone@uwvh.org or call 276-525-4104.

Ready for School, Ready for Life.

SOUTHWEST 2020 SUMMIT RETURNS IN 2014!

THANK YOU 2014 COMMUNITY CLUB CARD PARTNERS!

In October 2013, over two hundred leaders came together to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of Southwest Virginia. The 2013 summit was an outstanding success, yet merely the beginning of a long-term collaborative amongst leaders across the region.

On May 29, 2014 United Way Virginia Highlands will continue this momentum and re-convene to implement a shared vision and a collaborative effort to improve our communities. The Regional Leaders Summit will again be an opportunity for leaders to explore new ways to lead, organize, operate, and collaborate together. Leaders will participate in workshops, share thoughts, and identify priorities as work is continued together.

Thank you to our 2014 Community Club Card participants for helping us support members of the community who invested $100 or more in the 2013 campaign! A special thank you to our Premium Partners who in addition to participating in the Community Club Card, also support United Way initiatives throughout the year!

Interested in becoming a 2015 Community Club Card member or Premium Partner? Contact Crystal Breeding at 276-525-4073 or email cbreeding@uwvh.org.

by Leah Farmer, Marketing and Communications Manager

by Crystal Breeding, Resource Development Manager

REGISTER FOR THE 2020

SUMMIT!

Visit southwest2020summit.com for tons of 2014 Summit

information and to register simply scan the QR code below!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

The SWVA 2020 Summit is open to leaders and chief staff executives of:

• Local and State Governments• Non-Profit and Community Organizations• Regional Development Boards • Commercial and Private Business Entities• Health Care Organizations• Educational Institutions• Faith Based Organizations

SUMMIT PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

The Southwest 2020 Summit has a set of key values in place to create the ideal environment for sharing and learning great community best practices. This Summit will be an open, freely accessible, vendor-neutral event, and each of our partners supports and respects these values and contributes to help make the event happen.

Learn how to become a 2020 Partner by visiting www.southwest2020summit.com!

• Pizza Town, Lebanon• Honey Bea’s Café & Ice Cream Parlor, Honaker• The Black Rooster, Marion• Wolfe’s BBQ Restaurant & Catering, Marion• Ken Heath’s Bow Tie Pro-Music & Sound/DJs, Marion • The Dunk & Deli Co., Abingdon• Applebee’s, Galax• Macados, Galax

• The Galax Smokehouse• Bogey’s Restaurant, Galax• Paul’s Restaurant, Independence• Subway Galax, Hillsville & Independence• Pizza Plus of Independence• Scoots of Galax• Ciro’s of Independence

During the month of June, $4 of each bottle of United Way Red sold will be donated to United

Way Virginia Highlands in addition to the month’s tasting

fees. (patrons must request to designate their tasting fees to United Way).

This special blend of wine was chosen by an esteemed group of

tasters at the United Way Awards Banquet Pre-Event Reception. Selection #2 of 4, this wine is

25% Norton, 50% Cab Sav and 25% Chambourcin.

To learn more about promotions with United Way, email Director

of Resource Development, Alison Hicks at ahicks@uwvh.org or

call 276-525-4075.

COMING SOON

TORED

ABINGDONVINEYARD &WINERYUNITED WAY

COMMUNITY CLUB CARD PARTNERS:

UNITED WAY PREMIUM PARTNERS:

Newsletter | Spring 2014

ABINGDON OFFICE:1096 Ole Berry Drive, Suite 200Abingdon, VA 24210Ph: (276)-628-2160Fax: (276)-628-8484UWVH.ORG

GALAX OFFICE:121 West Grayson St.Galax, VA 24333Ph: (276)-236-9070Fax: (276)-628-8484UWVH.ORG

MAILING ADDRESS:P.O. Box 644Abingdon, VA 24212

CORPORATE PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

Do you know someone who might like to receive this newsletter? Email Marketing and Communications Manager, Leah Farmer at lfarmer@uwvh.org or call 276-525-4072

ANNOUNCING THE 2014 SOUTHWEST 2020 SUMMIT SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

Virginia Lt. Governor, Dr. Ralph NorthamElected Lieutenant Governor on November 5, 2013, Ralph’s top priorities are economic development, women’s health, early childhood education and development, and meaningful mental health reform. As your Lieutenant Governor, Ralph Northam presides over the Senate of Virginia and serves on a number of the Commonwealth’s Boards and Commissions.

Jeff Edmondson, Managing Director of Strive TogetherJeff Edmondson is managing director of Strive Together, a national cradle-to-career initiative that brings together leaders in Pre-K-12 schools, higher education, business and industry, community organizations, government leaders, parents and other stakeholders who are committed to helping children succeed from birth through careers.

Southwest 2020 Collaborative is excited to announce that Virginia Lt. Governor, Dr. Ralph Northam and Jeff Edmondson, Managing Director of Strive Together will be attending the 2014 Southwest 2020 Summit as a special guests and keynote speakers. Visit www.southwest2020summit.com to learn more about Lt. Governor, Dr. Ralph Northam, Jeff Edmondson and other speakers at the 2014 Southwest 2020 Summit!