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UNITED News | Issue #40

 

Coming Up at United Way

June 2025 | Issue: 40

 

Free Financial Literacy Course

Wednesday, June 25th @ 2:00pm

 

Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan

Wednesday, June 25th @ 6:00pm

 

Long-Term Recovery Group #7

Thursday, June 26th @ 2:00pm

 

COAD Meeting #91

Monday, June 30th @ 9:30am

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS BLITZ CHALLENGE

 

United Way of Hernando County's 2025 COMMUNITY CHALLENGER CENTENNIAL BANK is challenging local businesses to give back and donate during the month of June for the annual Business Blitz Challenge! Any investment to United Way will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact!

 

All donations help further UW's support for long-term commitments essential to addressing key initiatives with helping our local youth, ALICE & elders, access to care, promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency, and coordinating crisis prevention.

GET INVOLVED

ANNUAL BUSINESS BLITZ CHALLENGE

 

·     What is the Business Blitz Challenge?

This month long Community Challenge doubles any business donation to United Way throughout the month of June thanks to our Community Challengers at Centennial Bank. Contributions will be matched dollar-for-dollar! This effort expands our Preferred Partner list & referrals.



2025 Challenge Accepted by the Following Businesses:

TAKE ACTION - DISASTER EDITION

 

Looking for meaningful ways to get involved this season?

GIVE

·     Participate in the Hurricane Supply Drive

·     Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund

ADVOCATE

·     Connect individuals to Hernando's Long-Term Recovery Disaster Case Management Team: Call/Text 352-340-2571

·     Follow United Way's Social Media outlets & share important posts

VOLUNTEER

·     Sign up to become a Disaster Relief Volunteer

·     Be a part of the solution by joining Hernando's Long-Term Recovery Group

NEW UNITED WAY BOARD MEMBERS

 

Ben Cooper

·     Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, District Manager

Charlotte Diaz

·     Euphoric Ink Studio and Hernando County School District, Social Worker

Frank Cassara

·     Centennial Bank, Senior Vice President

 

"Humbled to Serve. Inspired to Lead. Grateful for the Power to do Both."

211 HERNANDO RESOURCE UPLOAD

 

With our 211 Tampa Bay Cares partners rebranding to FirstContact, United Way is pleased to share that 211 Hernando is active and utilized now more than ever. Our call center and referral team are on a database maintenance mission. If you are a local organization who serves Hernando residents, please make sure you have your programs uploaded to 211 Hernando's health and human service database by easily completing the NEW online Agency Profile Form.

KEEPING UP WITH UNITED WAY

A STUDENT BOARD THAT IS NEVER BORED

 

United Way's Student Board is kicking off the summer with a line-up of activities.

 

·     May 13th - SB Meeting at United Way

·     June 12th - SB Meeting at United Way

·     June 14th - Car Wash

·     June 20th - Born Learning Trail Installation

·     June 21st - Show Your Colors Blood Drive

·     June 26th - SB Meeting at United Way

 

Things You Should Know:

·     The Student Board is made up of Hernando students ages 14-20 (public, private, and homeschooled)

·     The Student Board gives youth the opportunity to not only learn about their community, but follow their passions.

·     Student Board Members identify and organize projects based around their Focus Areas.

·     United Way gives the Student Board the platform to have a voice and think globally while acting locally.

·     Student Board Members log all volunteer hours for planning and projects, for they qualify for Bright Futures.

LEADERSHIP HERNANDO:

COMMUNITY IMPACT DAY

 

Leadership alumni from United Way & Rivera's Flooring, Kitchens, & More were honored to host the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce's 2025 LH Community Impact Day on June 5th. This day is designed for class members to develop an understanding of the overlooked social issues that may impact their workforce and the need for accessible resources. This is in hopes of providing a deeper perspective while empowering them to look for opportunities and creative ways to advocate for and help their neighbors and community. 

HURRICANE & SAFETY EXPO

 

As we dive into 2025’s Hurricane Season together, it’s important to remember YOU’RE NOT ALONE. Hernando’s annual Hurricane & Safety Expo is designed to help residents plan and prepare.

 

Whether it’s knowing who to go to if your gutters get damaged and you need a tree removed, or how to file an insurance claim, tips on how to manage your stress, how to stay connected, or who to call when you really need help - Hernando’s response and health & human services industries really showed up for our community Saturday, June 7th in an effort to educate!

 

Q4 PARTNER AGENCY MEETING

 

United Way's network is made up of organizations, services, businesses, volunteers, and most importantly - our Partner Programs. Through UW's Community Investment Grant (CIG), United Way strategically invests in Programs that provide critical services and vital impact in access to care, family engagement, financial sustainability, and community resiliency. Our teams meet monthly but collaborate daily. This 2024-2025 is coming to an end, but new partnerships are just beginning. More to come!

BORN LEARNING TRAIL INSTALLATION

 

Exciting news! United Way of Hernando County, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of the Adventure Coast, just installed a brand new Born Learning Trail at Pioneer Park/Stewy's Skate Park - 6799 Pinehurst Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34606

 

This interactive trail encourages family engagement activities while at the park. Each of our 10 trails signs provide tips and activities for parents and caregivers, enhancing early learning and cognitive skills for youth.

 

Thank you to our amazing Kiwanis sponsors, Student Board Members, and creative volunteers for making this project possible on June 20th.

 

Interested in sponsoring our next BLT and using the installation as a Team Building project? Contact Finance@UnitedWayHernando.org to learn more.

FEATURED NEWS

 

5/13/25 - Student Board Meeting

United Way's Student Board Meetings are most active in the summer and we loveeeeee it! SB Members and SB Chair, Evie discussed June's calendar of events and outreach opportunities. Hernando students ages 14-20 plan and organize passion projects they care about based on their personal experience and local involvement. The Student Board is always recruiting. Sign up now before the school year kicks off again. Stay connected year-round!

 

5/21/25 - Q4 Board Meeting

Too often, the hard work of a dedicated Board of Directors goes unnoticed. It takes a lot of planning, a lot of hours, and a lot of vision for a Board to be labeled as "active". United Way's Board of Directors is governed by an active and responsible governing body whose members serve (2) three-year terms. Members help oversee investments and recruit partnerships. They participate through GIVINGADVOCATING, & VOLUNTEERING.

 

5/16/25 - Trophies for our Kickball Champions

The team at Downtown Athletics are familiar with the feeling of victory - this being their 3rd win with United Way's Annual "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament! On April 5th DTA and their Local "Celebrity Coach" Christina Sowers from CareerSource beat Tampa General Hospital's team in the champion ship game, and on May 16th, they were awarded with the engraved Ultimate Traveling Trophy!

 

5/27/25 - Senior Scholarships

United Way proudly participates in CETA's annual Student Recognition Celebration by investing a $1,000 scholarship to the LEADERSHIP Category. As UW helped plan for April 15th's ceremony, an additional nominated student stood out to us, thanks to her willingness to lead - resulting in an additional $1,000 education investment to Springstead senior Hanh Dao!

 

5/16/25 - Accountability Coaches

United Way Program Care Coordinator Mindy and University of FL Family & Consumers Science Agent Scott meet frequently with one goal in mind - finding creative ways to help people help themselves. UW partners with the Florida Master Money Mentors program, incorporating these free one-on-one financial literacy opportunities into their case management and assessments.

 

5/29/25 - Long-Term Recovery

Hernando County's Long-Term Recovery Group met for the 6th time this year at the Emergency Operations Center in Brooksville. This meeting had 22 participants, Sub-Committee status reports, Disaster Case Management updates, and conducted a SWOT Analysis. Cases are currently focused around Hurricane Helene & Hurricane Milton, but go as far back as 2023's Hurricane Idalia. #HernandoPrepares #HernandoRecovers

 

 

COMING UP AT UNITED WAY

PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

 

Grow Financial Credit Union ACCEPTED UW's June Business Blitz Challenge for $200

 

Brookridge Volunteer Thomas is an active advocate for our 211 Senior Wellness Directory.

 

Listen to United Way & our Preferred Partners at Always Near Home Care on their "Little Talks" as they Accept the Challenge and even Challenge others to GIVE!

 

The United Way office uses Integrity Pest Control for commercial services because: Quality Product! Quick Response Rate! Friendly Service! Preferred Partner!

 

June 12th's Networking for Chickens had Guest Speaker & Owner of Chick-fil-A John Mitten, discuss the importance of using your local resources.

 

Regions Bank not only participated in June's Challenge, but sponsored UW's upcoming Grandparents Raising Grandchildren SeminarSAVE THE DATE: 11/7/25

HEALTH: ACCESS TO CARE

 

 

Senior Wellness Directory

 

211-Hernando's goal is to have a community that is connected and informed regarding health, mental health, crisis response and human service information.

This is a wonderful resource to place in the hands of our residents. Those who do not have access to the internet or simply aren't aware of the available options here in Hernando will really benefit from these booklets.

 

SingleCare

 

Did you know United Way of Hernando County and the SingleCare, formerly Familywize, Community Service Partnership have teamed up to make prescriptions more affordable for those without insurance or even those who have insurance that doesn't cover their medicine.

 

Stress Management

 

Stress is a fact of life. Overbooked schedules, demanding work hours, long commutes, an outburst by an angry boss, a stand-off with a defiant teenage child and the bad news that makes headlines every day are all contributors to the increased stress that many feel. Now more than ever it is important to recognize signs of stress in ourselves, our families and our communities and take the necessary steps to reduce stress and intervene if needed.

 

Dementia Care Support Group

 

Location: Oak Hill Senior Living Community - 7411 Cortez Oaks Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34613

When: First Monday of each Month @ 1pm



This support group is FREE and open to all caregivers caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia. This health initiative is in collaboration with the Dementia Spotlight Foundation

 

For more information & support, contact Gary Joseph LeBlanc.

 

INCOME: FINANCIAL STABILITY/BASIC NEEDS

TAKE ACTION: LIVE UNITED WITH US

 

 

·     Share 988

·     2-1-1 Hernando

·     Become a Digital Ambassador

·     Fight for local initiatives

·     Legislative Agenda

 

·     Disaster Relief Volunteer

·     VITA Volunteer

·     Lend-A-Hand Hernando

·     Student Board

 

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United Way of Hernando County | 352-688-2026

4028 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606

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