United Way Launches Shine Your Light Holiday Drive

At the end of a year that has been dark for many communities across the country, United Way California Capital Region is asking residents across the region to join its Shine Your Light holiday campaign, which includes opportunities for community giving and safe volunteering during the holiday season. Visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org/Holiday-Giving.

“This is a year no one will forget – a year filled with deep pain, division and hardship,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Children are being asked to attend school virtually and help younger siblings. Parents have lost jobs that support their family’s needs. Neighbors are struggling to stay afloat while small businesses close around them. During this dark year as we enter the holidays, we are asking residents across the greater Sacramento area to join our Shine Your Light campaign by contributing to our nonprofit partners’ gift drives, volunteering and making financial donations.”

For the Shine Your Light campaign, United Way has gathered the needs of nearly 50 local nonprofits across the region on its website, including which need clothing, blankets, shelf-stable food, hygiene items, winter items, holiday gifts, gift cards and volunteers this holiday season. Shine Your Light participants also can make a financial donation to United Way California Capital Region to help lift up neighbors who are struggling, including children, foster youth, students impacted by COVID-19 and families trying to make ends meet. As part of the campaign, United Way’s Women United action group that supports local foster youth is matching new donations to the group until they reach $35,000, giving donors the opportunity to double their gift.

“In these difficult times, your gift can be a much-needed light in someone’s life during the holidays and in the months to come,” Bray said.

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. Today, the nonprofit is bringing people together across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties for its Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of students in our region who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. United Way believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones and their families receive support and resources. To learn more and make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

United Way Honors Five Local Donors and Volunteers

Five of United Way California Capital Region’s donors and volunteers were honored by the local nonprofit last week for their commitment to United Way’s Square One Project that is ensuring local students graduate from high school prepared for success in college and beyond. Honorees included Al Goldberg of Natomas, Amber Lovett of East Sacramento, Jim Shetler of Galt and Sandy Smoley of Midtown Sacramento. Del Paso Heights-based Dr. Pepper Snapple Group was United Way’s fifth honoree.

At the recognition event held at restaurant Mulvaney’s B&L in Midtown Sacramento, United Way California Capital Region President and CEO Stephanie Bray told the guests and honorees, “All of you in this room have played a powerful role in changing people’s lives this year. None of this would have been possible without your time and financial commitments, which will continue to fuel our Square One Project in coming years.”

Goldberg was named Young Leaders Society Member of the Year for his dedication to United Way’s Young Leaders Society by reaching out to new members, promoting events and bringing ideas to the group. Lovett received the Women in Philanthropy Member of the Year Award for her work getting United Way’s Women in Philanthropy off the ground 15 years ago and her continued dedication to the group as a donor. Shetler received the Boje and Price Award for Outstanding Volunteerism for his service on the group’s board of directors creating a five-year strategic plan in addition to being a top United Way donor. Smoley received the Frances Wisebart Jacobs Live United Award for her longtime commitment to United Way since 1967 through a women’s group, leadership on the board of directors and donations to United Way’s Women in Philanthropy.

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group was honored with the Cornerstone Award for achieving outstanding results in the company’s United Way campaign and making volunteerism and community engagement part of its company culture. The company has contributed countless volunteers and more than $273,000 over the last five years.

“I know we have a bright year ahead as we continue to work together to make sure kids succeed in school and beyond,” Bray said. “But it’s going to take all of us. By bringing together companies, schools, government and individuals across the region we know that we can bring about that change.”

United Way California Capital Region has launched the Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of local students who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. Through nine decades of work and research across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties, the local United Way now believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones for success in college. To donate or volunteer, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.