UNITED WAY

Federal funding given to childcare facilities during the pandemic is coming to a close at the end of September.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Healthy Roanoke Valley is partnering with United Way to lead the charge spreading awareness throughout our community.

Across the nation, people are using Martin Luther King day as a national day of service. Here at home, people are taking advantage of the chance to serve.

Hotel Roanoke’s popular holiday tradition returned Thursday. This year, more than 25 organizations and businesses are participating in Fashions for Evergreens.

This campaign year, United Way of Roanoke Valley has a fundraising goal of $2 million.

A Blacksburg online apparel shop launched a new design of t-shirts to make a difference.

We have all heard of some form of school supplies fundraiser – No matter the name, whether it’s Stuff the Bus, Pack the Bus, or Fill the Bus, the goal is still the same: to make sure every student has what they need to have a successful school year.

As the Buchanan County community reels from the devastation, surrounding nonprofits are gearing up to help.

Even though the water is starting to recede and cleanup is underway, the Sheriff said that three roads are still closed and that people should try to avoid the area when possible, but there are still ways to help out safely.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

The open house is scheduled for Feb. 28 from 4:30 to 6:30PM at the Central Church of Christ in Bedford.

The United Way of Southwest Virginia is pushing for a development initiative called Ready SWVA to help the workforce recover after the pandemic.

A Star City holiday tradition has returned to Hotel Roanoke.

Inflation seems to be affecting everything from gas to the cost of groceries, but it’s also affecting local area food banks like Feeding Southwest Virginia and the United Way of Central Virginia.

They raised 14,000 pounds of donated food, surpassing their 2019 record of 10,000 pounds.

After the flood in Hurley, United Way of Southwest Virginia’s Hurley Long-Term Relief Fund has been working to help the citizens in the community.

Country Queen Dolly Parton and her businesses have raised $700,000 to help residents affected by the sudden flooding in Tennessee that left more than 20 people dead in late August.

United Way of Central Virginia’s (UWCV) annual October Food Drive started today and local food pantries need help to re-stock their supplies with the holiday season approaching.

More than 40 homes were destroyed after devastating flooding in Hurley, Virginia several weeks ago. In an effort to support flood victims in the area, Food City presented a check on Thursday totaling more than $106,000.

There are local families who just can’t afford school supplies right now and need the community’s support.

Along with providing information and giveaways, they unveiled their latest initiative, Gus the Learning Bus.

Friday volunteers from United Way of the Roanoke Valley and Lionberger construction helped install a little free pantry at the George Washington Carver Garden in Northwest Roanoke.

A new survey is shedding light on how the coronavirus has impacted families in the Roanoke Valley.

Two women, Abby Hamilton and Pamela Chitwood, stepped in to break the language barrier by learning Spanish in an effort to serve the Hispanic and Latino community.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

The Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps desperately needs volunteers to help out with mass vaccination clinics. United Way of Southwest Virginia is teaming up with the Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps to recruit volunteers to help out during the pandemic. The Southwest Virginia corps unit serves 13 counties and three cities. There are over 32,000 volunteers across Virginia and nearly 1,000 in Southwest Virginia. AdThe Medical Reserve Corps will even help you get vaccinated.

United Way of Roanoke Valley needs your help in getting a grasp of coronavirus’s impact on our community. It’s part of UWRV’s ALICE survey. One will ask questions about your household like the ages of the people in your home and who is employed. Another consists of COVID-19 specific questions like if there was any job loss in your household, if there were resources used to help ends meet. Now the organization is using its ALICE survey to see the economic impact it put on this community.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Grants for both the United Way of Central Virginia and the Roanoke Valley will soon provide more childcare options. The funding will provide temporary spaces for education, so parents can return to work. United Way officials say this will help them serve hundreds of children ages 3-12. “We’re looking at different age-appropriate materials to help provide our partners, and what they’ll do is create an alternative to a typical schoolroom,” said Karen Wesley, director of educational programming at United Way of Central Virginia. Wesley says 60 children are already enrolled in two locations, and they’re looking at an additional eight sites.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – It’s been an especially trying year for nonprofits, as many are struggling with record low donations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why Giving Tuesday is more important than ever before. Giving Tuesday is typically a big day for organizations to get much-needed funding to continue serving their communities. The United Way in the New River Valley is just one of those hoping to benefit from your generosity on a day dedicated to giving. There are many more nonprofits in need of your help on Giving Tuesday.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Christmastime favorite in the Star City is going virtual this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fashions for Evergreens is an annual event that typically decks the halls of the Hotel Roanoke with uniquely-decorated trees. “Fashions for Evergreens has brought in more than $60,000 to this community to help benefit our neighbors who are in need. They’re adding a new feature this year called Fashions at Home where you can submit photos of your own holiday decor. Voters, as well as those who submit their own tree photos to Fashions at Home, will be eligible for raffle prizes from the Hotel Roanoke.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Thanksgiving is a time to give back and local nonprofits are working hard to make sure no family goes hungry. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit had to make some changes to its Thanksgiving meal box program. They’re holding more pop-up food distributions and moving a lot more food. “We’ve been distributing around anywhere between 20 and 30 some percent more food, and particularly the government food,” said Irvine. “Whether or not they are this year, I hope that they still do.”To donate or learn more about the United Way’s Thanksgiving meal box program, click here.

Today is the last day to request an absentee ballot to vote in next month’s election. It’s holding an adoption special today and tomorrow. Governor Northam will attend a roundtable discussion with the United Way of Southwest Virginia. The United Way of the New River Valley holds a community yard sale today. The yard sale runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the United Way office in Christiansburg.

ROANOKE, Va. – Salem City Council will hold a public hearing about money received from the CARES Act. The city received $2.2 million during the last fiscal year. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce holds a candidate forum today. Incumbent Republican Ben Cline will take on Democrat Nick Betts today at noon. Radford City Schools returns to face-to-face hybrid learning today.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. The child care crisis in Roanoke County has reached another setback. A new task force to address child care and virtual learning needs in the community recently started pop-up child care centers in local churches. Nancy Hans with the Prevention Council of Roanoke County and CommUNITY Church Pastor Tom McCracken serve on the new task force, made up of Roanoke County Public Schools, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and United Way. Its not something that weve ever done before.To sign up a child, contact United Way of Roanoke Valley or visit smart2start.org. The task force is also looking for more churches to get on board and provide space for the child care centers.

United Way works with both city and county schools to provide services for students in need. An increase in need of care providers and a decrease in the number of people allowed in a facility has left them in a tough situation not unique to United Way. Weve gotten over 200 requests for assistance and its hard to kind of find solutions that allow families to be comfortable, United Way President Abby Hamilton said. United Way says like the school divisions in the area, it is struggling to bring in staff to meet the needs of families. United Way and its partners are hosting a virtual hiring event on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21.

RADFORD, Va. The United Way of the New River Valley awarded Radford City Schools $1,000 for personal protective equipment. Thursday, the nonprofit delivered a check to Superintendent Robert Graham, which the district will use to buy masks for students. Appalachian Power gave $5,000 in grant money to the United Way. Floyd and Montgomery County schools will also get a $1,000 donation. The rest of the grant money Davis says will likely go to other nonprofits in the New River Valley.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. Theres a new website available to help people locally with child care. Several organizations in Martinsville and Henry County collaborated to create it. Along with information about available child care programs, it has information about feeding programs and information to help small businesses and nonprofits. Philip Wenkstern, the executive director of the Martinsville-Henry County United Way, said one popular feature is the application for child care subsidies. The Martinsville-Henry County United Way is one of the organizations that helped create the site.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke leaders and community partners are scrambling to finalize a plan for child care as they work to confront the challenges that come with virtual learning before school starts at the end of the month. The city is working with organizations like the United Way to finalize plans for a virtual academy. Theyre trying to find facilities to provide internet access and child care and that will require hiring hundreds of workers. McMahan encourages anyone interested in applying for a job to do so during a virtual job fair through Virginia Career Works happening Aug. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. Click here to learn more. Click here for applications to find child care.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke County schools will be meeting both in-person and virtually this school year, a plan that doesnt work for everyone. Recognizing that, Roanoke County Public Schools created a task force with the YMCA, The United Way of Roanoke Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, Prevention Council of Roanoke County and area churches to establish new day programs for parents who are impacted by this major change. With the current schedule we are having to adopt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that parents are facing some significant challenges when it comes to child care, said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. This new partnership will help provide low-cost day programs for students ages 12 and under. We are excited to partner with Roanoke County Public Schools, our area out-of-school time providers and others in the community to create a feasible solution for students and families in Roanoke County as schools start.

ROANOKE, Va. In the mad rush to find child care this fall, the Science Museum of Western Virginia is offering one alternative. The museum is launching The LAB, an in-person, educational program that will supplement childrens virtual learning when theyre not in school. There is still a lot up in the air for the childcare centers: from staffing, to space, to hours and availability. One community partner, United Way of Roanoke Valley, is working to put all the puzzle pieces together. Not a single program, not a single agency will be able to help all that needs to be served, said United Way of Roanoke Valleys CEO Abby Hamilton.

ROANOKE, Va. United Way of Roanoke Valley will help brighten the day of seniors. Blacksburgs Wheels and Wagons takes place today in the form of a parade. Radford High School holds a non-tradition graduation ceremony today. Between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Daily, part of Link Road from Boonsboro Road to Parkland Drive will be down to one lane as Appalachian Power crews upgrade overhead lines. Lane closures on Campbell Avenue in Lynchburg could impact your commute starting today between North Durham Street and Abattoir Street.

ROANOKE, Va. The United Way of Roanoke Valleys COVID-19 Community Response Fund has finally met its goal of $200,000 to help people in need. This week, United Way met its goal to thanks to donations from businesses and community members. Two phases of funding have already been distributed to meet community needs, including food, PPE, child care and summer care. Moving forward, United Way is saving about $30,000 for the fall to help as more needs arise. How do we make sure that were making the most use of any resources that we have as a community and being smart about that? said Abby Hamilton, the President and CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley.

ROANOKE, Va. In this time of need, local nonprofits are working together to maximize their resources. The Roanoke Womens Foundation raised $18,000 within three or four weeks. "Amazed, surprised and delighted," said Nancy Dixon, president of the Roanoke Womens Foundation. When COVID-19 came to light, we wanted to have an immediate response," Dixon said. Women can act quickly and they know how to take charge and get things done, Dixon said.

ROANOKE, Va. Road work in Lynchburg could impact your commute today. The Virginia Department of Health is offering free COVID-19 tests today. More than 740,000 Virginians, who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, will be able to pay for groceries online and have them delivered starting today. Gods Pit Crew is expected to receive a donation from Walmart today. For a $10 donation, you can get a breakfast bag, filled with a biscuit, baked goods, fruit, coffee and a newspaper.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Bedford woman has a new car and it’s all thanks to her generosity. Dianne Van Valkenburgh is the winner of United Way of Central Virginia’s 2019 campaign. I got a kid in college and a kid getting out of high school going to college. This is exciting to know we have reliable transportation for them,” Van Valkenburgh said. Van Valkenburg says she still has to determine if the car will go to her children.

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed the first bill of 2020 on Monday. SB 582 conforms Virginia’s tax code to the federal IRS code, Northam said in a tweet. Northam said the change will allow donations to the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund to be tax-deductible. The fund, which is set up through the United Way of South Hampton Roads, goes to the victims and families affected by the 2019 shooting in a municipal building that left 12 dead and at least four others hurt. Currently, donations to victim assistance funds like this are considered personal gifts and are not always tax-deductible, according to the United Way.

Students in the Roanoke Valley will plan for the future today. The event is sponsored by Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County Schools. Groundbreaking takes place for the first business in Franklin County's Summit View Business Park. The United Way of Roanoke Valley talks about the needs of the community. It will launch Healthy Roanoke Valley.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. The City of Lynchburg's Task Force on the Future of Education meets today. The town of Christiansburg wants your thoughts as it looks to the future. There's a public meeting tonight where you can give your thoughts about what you want to see in different parts of town, including downtown. You can give your thoughts at a public meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at Recreation Center.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. Danville schools start August 9th. The United Way of Central Virginia will provide an update today on its actions to solve hunger in the region. It's for female high school students, encouraging them to explore careers in STEM fields. Moormans Road in Lynchburg will be closed today and tomorrow to all traffic.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. - Thousands of people in need in Franklin County are able to feed their families this summer with the help of community gardens. The United Way has facilitated the process, working with community giving gardens and distribution sites for the past five years. Last year, just a couple dozen gardens donated a whopping 24,000 pounds of food to more than 17,000 families in Franklin County. Volunteers at churches, schools and other community giving garden sites are fighting the problem from the ground up. Though the number of gardens is down five from last year, Chitwood said the 17 active gardens are churning out more product.