United Way of Santa Cruz County

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The new school year is here, and we’re excited to see Santa Cruz County students starting school with confidence! 🎒

A huge thanks to our community and student volunteers who helped stuff backpacks. In just five days after the Stuff-A-Thon, Santa Cruz County Office of Education distributed over 2,500 backpacks to local schools and partners like the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., CASA of Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, and more.

Here’s to a great school year filled with support, value, and readiness to shine! ✨



Photo Credit: Natasha Loudermilk

🎉 Happy Work Anniversary, Bryanna! 🎉

Today marks another incredible year with Bryanna at United Way of Santa Cruz County! As our dedicated accountant, Bryanna has played a crucial role in managing our finances with precision and care.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and all that you do for our organization and the community we serve.

⚠️ ATENTION ⚠️ Tune in to the NOAA weather radio test on Wednesday, August 14th, at 6:30pm! The National Weather Service can remotely turn on these radios and send basic alerts, including for wildfire, keeping you safe and informed. Learn more about NOAA and how to set it up here: https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/OR3/Response/PlanandPrepare/AlertNotificationApplication.aspx
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Sintoniza la prueba de radio meteorológica de la NOAA el miércoles 14 de agosto, a las 6:30pm! El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional puede encender estas radios de forma remota y enviar alertas básicas, incluso para incendios forestales. Obtenga más información sobre NOAA y cómo configurarlo aquí: https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/OR3/Response/PlanandPrepare/AlertNotificationApplication.aspx

Women in Philanthropy harnesses local women's passion and commitment to support youth in our community by engaging in opportunities to give, advocate, and volunteer.

Join Women In Philanthropy for a night of reconnection, wine, and learning more about this leadership giving group.

Register at: www.unitedwaysc.org/wipwinemixer

🌍 Happy International Youth Day! 🌍

Today, we celebrate the incredible power, passion, and potential of young people across Santa Cruz County and around the world. At United Way of Santa Cruz County, we are proud to support and empower youth through our programs and initiatives like Jovenes SANOS, United 4 Youth, and the Youth Action Network .

Our young people are not just tomorrow's leaders—they are today's changemakers. Whether they are advocating for mental health resources, volunteering in their communities, or advocating for policy change their voices and actions inspire us all.

When our youth thrive, our community thrives!

Fighting hunger takes all of us!

We're proud to partner with DoorDash's Project DASH to deliver food and essential items to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

In celebration of delivering 100 million meals to people in need, DoorDash is helping United Way expand food access in our communities through code PROJECTDASH until 8/25. Donations will be shared equally with Meals on Wheels America + Feeding America

*Not valid in IL. Terms apply

We can't always predict the future, but we CAN take steps to prepare ourselves financially for whatever happens. Check out some resources on how to do so at MyMoneyPath.org

✨Happy 3-Year Work Anniversary, Pamela!✨

We're excited to celebrate three amazing years with Pamela Velazquez at the United Way of Santa Cruz County. Her dedication, passion, and hard work have made a huge impact on our community and our young people and we’re grateful for everything she does. Here's to many more years of success together! 🥳

🏌️‍♂️ Swing for a Cause! 🏌️‍♀️

Join us and K&D Landscaping for a day on the green at their upcoming Golf Tournament, benefiting our United Way of Santa Cruz County! 🌟

📅 Date: August 16th
📍 Location: Seascape Golf Course
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM for Check-In

Tee off with us and make a difference in our community. Your participation helps fund essential programs that support education, financial stability, and health for everyone in Santa Cruz County. ⛳️✨

👉 Sign up here: thekndclassic.com

We are excited to join 400 colleagues from 32 states to deepen our collective understanding of what it means to be United in Purpose.

The United Way’s Western Regional Conference kicked off with a warm welcome from Sandra Douglass Morgan, President of the NFL Raiders, highlighting our collaborative efforts to support communities.

Throughout the week, our team looks forward to engaging in presentations with United Way Worldwide and our CEO Keisha Browder contributing to the Equity panel discussions.

Together with ’s , we’re working to fight hunger in our communities by connecting neighbors in need to food and other essential items.

Help us celebrate delivering over 100 million Project DASH meals!
From now until 8/25, DoorDash is helping United Way expand food access in our communities through code PROJECTDASH.

Donations will be shared equally with Meals on Wheels America + Feeding America

*Not valid in IL. Terms apply

Fighting Hunger Takes All of Us! (30 Second Spot) We're proud to partner with DoorDash's Project DASH to deliver food and essential items to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. In celebration of ...

Do you have questions about wildfire safety efforts and projects in your community as a PG&E customer with Access and Functional Needs? Join virtually on Wednesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. to hear from PG&E’s Access and Functional Needs Program Manager, Lizz Stout, and other members of their team to learn more about what PG&E is doing to reduce wildfire risk and make their system safer. To further enhance PG&E’s wildfire safety initiatives, they will be encouraging customers to ask questions and provide feedback during the session. For more information, visit pge.com/webinars.

🌟 A huge thank you to Hotel Paradox, one of our Stuff the Bus Silver Sponsors, for hosting our training session for lead volunteers from the Emerging Leaders Circle! 🌟

Your hospitality and support helped them prepare for the big day and we are ready to welcome over 200 amazing volunteers for the Stuff-a-thon tomorrow! 🎒📚✨

Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of students across Santa Cruz County. Let’s do this! 🎉

Customers with Access and Functional Needs: Get your questions about wildfire safety and local projects answered. PG&E is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. Join PG&E’s Access and Functional Needs Program Manager, Lizz Stout, and other members of their team to learn more about what PG&E is doing to reduce wildfire risk and make their system safer. For more information, visit pge.com/webinars.

📚🎒 Only 3 days left until our Stuff the Bus event! 🎒📚

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve hit our volunteer limit and will have the most volunteers ever this year—thank you for your amazing support! 💖

But we still need your help! By donating a backpack filled with school supplies, you can empower a child to start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.

$25 = 1 new backpack and school supplies

Follow this link to support: www.unitedwaysc.org/stb

There's still time to make a difference. By donating a backpack filled with school supplies, you can help a child start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.

$25 = 1 new backpack and school supplies

Follow this link to support: www.unitedwaysc.org/stb

Together, we can ensure every student feels prepared and excited for the school year ahead. Let’s come together and stuff the bus! 🎒💪

The is one of the most effective poverty-fighting tools we have. Let’s ensure all Californians can thrive by supporting the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024! Visit https://actionnetwork.org/letters/urge-the-us-senate-to-support-economic-relief-for-american-families to quickly sign a letter of support before the vote on August 1st!

A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Sponsors, Partners, and In-Kind Donors! 🎒📚

Every backpack and every pencil symbolizes hope and opportunity for students in our community experiencing homelessness and other financial hardships. It’s more than just a backpack; it’s a step towards a brighter future. This year marks our most successful fundraising effort yet! Thank you to everyone who has made this possible! 💙

There is still time to support by donating or signing up to volunteer for the Stuff-A-Thon on Saturday, August 3rd.

Follow this link to learn more: https://www.unitedwaysc.org/stb

United Way networks witness the impacts of hunger and food insecurity across US communities. Despite efforts by United Way and other nonprofits, the non-governmental sector can't tackle this issue alone. Federal policy support is crucial and remains a key factor in addressing hunger in America. Passing the soon will be crucial to ensuring that millions of households don't lose access to their SNAP benefits and fall into food insecurity.

Meet the Team that Makes Stuff the Bus Possible!

We work with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, UPS, and the Santa Cruz Warriors every year. Without their partnership and collaboration, none of this would be possible. We appreciate all that they do to make Stuff the Bus a success each year.

🔸 Santa Cruz County Office of Education: Works closely with students, families, and organizations to ensure seamless distribution and that students experiencing homelessness receive the backpacks and school supplies they need.

🔸 UPS : Helps us pick up in-kind donations from our drop-off sites and ensures all the supplies are ready for the Stuff-A-Thon.

🔸 Santa Cruz Warriors: Provides the SC Warriors Arena for the Stuff-A-Thon and their amazing team of volunteers.

Everyone supports and volunteers their time for the Stuff-A-Thon, creating a fun and amazing event for all involved.

Together, we’re making a difference!

Support Stuff the Bus, by following this link: www.unitedwaysc.org/stb

🚍🎒 We are just 10 days until Stuff the Bus! Help us support over 2,500 students in Santa Cruz County by donating or volunteering.

Give A Backpack: $25 = 1 new backpack and supplies for students experiencing homelessness and other financial hardships. Every donation counts!

Sign Up to Volunteer: Join us on Saturday, August 3rd, 10:00-1:00 PM at Kaiser Permanente Arena to fill backpacks and stuff the bus! Lunch and snacks are provided.

Follow this link to support: www.unitedwaysc.org/stb

Together, we can make a difference. Let's get every student ready for school! 🎒

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A huge THANK YOU to our amazing Copper Sponsors for their unwavering support of the Stuff the Bus event! Your generosity helps us provide over 2,500 students in need with new backpacks and school supplies. 📚🎒✨

Thank you!
Santa Cruz County Bank
David Lyng Real Estate

Support Stuff the Bus, by following this link: www.unitedwaysc.org/stb