Polk Family Week is November 10-17, 2007

July 19, 2007

8 days of activities are planned this fall by some area citizens, to celebrate family. Take an organized hike one day, dine-out together another day, enjoy volunteering in your community on another. It's a great partnership for United Way of Central Florida with our mission to build better lives and stronger communities focused on critical issues affecting kids, families and wellness. United Way is participating with the Polk National Family Week group that is motivated by a belief that strong families build strong communities.

A national group, American Family Foundation has been working to motivate communities to create such an event and you can find out more of their ideas at www.nationalfamilyweek.org ( http://www.nationalfamilyweek.org/ ). In Polk County, area citizens from Winter Haven and Lake Wales answered the call and are working to broaden involvement throughout the county.

All you have to do to participate is to save the date among your family for maybe one, two or all eight days of the celebration. Details of the event will develop as November approaches, but this is where it stands now:

Nov 10th: Saturday, plan on a family hike at the Polk County Environmental Lands - Lakeland Highlands Scrub, 9am-12. It will be an escape from your busy schedule and time to share a beautiful Florida moment with your family. Find out more about this activity at www.friendsoftheparks.net ( http://www.friendsoftheparks.net/ ).

Nov 11th: Sunday, plan a time to connect spiritually together with your family. Maybe you'll go to your regular house of worship; or maybe you'll spend an hour talking to one another over coffee reflecting on your values and the blessings of our central Florida community.

Nov 12: Monday is a time to share dinner together at home. Plan the menu together and let everyone take a part in setting the table, preparing the meal or gathering the chairs together at dinner time.

Nov 13: Tuesday is Movie Night. Take a night to go together to the movies.

Nov 14: Wednesday is a time to go out to dinner together. Hurry home though, to read and celebrate your elementary child's essay that you entered earlier in the Polk School Essay contest.

Nov 15: Thursday is the culmination of the Polk School Essay contest. More details to come.

Nov 16: Friday is a community celebration tailgate picnic. The location is being prepared but there will be family activities and a great time will be had by all!

Nov 17: Saturday is a return to your hometown where your volunteer labor is needed by participating non-profits who will have a project they accomplished to help them continue to serve your community. Your family will have a proud time working together and knowing you've become stronger and with you your community is stronger too. For more information visit uwcf.org. Click on the help link and choose volunteering: keyword "family week."

Plan on a few days or 8 days this Nov 10-17 and celebrate your family. For more information contact Scott Lonsberry at scottl@uwcf.org.


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Posted by Kandy Stanton

Back to School Blast!!

June 25, 2007

Family Fundamentals and its partners believe that all children deserve to enter school with the tools needed to enable them to succeed. This year the Family Fundamentals and Community Partners “Back to School Blast” will be held Saturday, July 28, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Lakeland Center (Sikes Hall) at 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland. This event is held for children and families within our community who do not have the means to purchase these supplies.

Kids
• Children prekindergarden through 5th grade will receive:
• Backpack full of school supplies (while they last)
• FREE health screenings (limited number available)
• Fun, hands-on activities on “Interactive Avenue”
• Sample after school snacks on “Snack Street”
• Face painting, Bounce House and more…

Parents
• Get connected to community resources, including after school and tutoring programs
• Learn how to teach kids the value of money and form wealthy and successful habits
• Get nutrition information
• Taste new lunch and after school snacks for kids
• Help prepare your child to enter school ready to succeed with FREE immunizations and health screening (limited number of appointments)

PRE-REGISTRATION
• A limited number of tickets are available for pre-registration. Avoid long lines on day of event, PRE-REGISTER by phone July 1st – 20th. Call 863.686.1221 x 221 to Pre-Register, Mon - Fri. from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets are REQUIRED to enter event

• Both adults and children must register to receive a ticket

• Pre-registration tickets MUST BE picked up prior to the event at Family Fundamentals. Tickets CANNOT be held after July 26th

REGISTRATION
• July 28th - Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
• Tickets are REQUIRED to enter event
• Both adults and children must register to receive a ticket
• Appointments will be scheduled on a first come first serve basis


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Posted by Jodi Tucker

Verizon presents gift to Success By 6

June 18, 2007

Bill Reid, Director of External Affairs for Verizon presented a check for $8,000 to Success By 6 to place Parent Lending Libraries in at least five childcare centers in Polk County. Each library consists of a four sided bookstand on wheels, at least 200 books and instructions and tips for parents and center staff. Children borrow these books with their parents for one-on-one reading together. Verizon understands that language skills are the primary predictor of academic success or failure. Thank you Verizon!

JT_sb6.jpg


Jodi Tucker, Director of Success By 6 and
Bill Reid, Director of External Affairs for Verizon


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Posted by Jodi Tucker

United Way Bringing 2-1-1 Services to Polk

May 8, 2007

Easier access to information and the services of social service agencies is the goal of United Way’s new 2-1-1 service for Polk County. United Way has offered an Information and Referral hotline for over 20 years housed in its Highland City administrative offices. With the addition of the 2-1-1 access, these services are rising to a new level with the addition of staff and certification of the operations center. It will soon be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The 2-1-1 network is more than just a telephone service. It is to Social Services what 9-1-1 is to Emergency Services. This universal number is easy to remember, and connects people with trained and supportive professionals who help identify needs, problem solve with callers to identify solutions and guide families through the confusing maze of public and private health and human services. It has proven extremely valuable pre- and post-catastrophe in other areas. When fully developed, the Florida 2-1-1 Network will be a statewide system of regional centers providing 2-1-1 coverage for 100% of Florida. United Way of Central Florida is excited to be providing that service here in Polk, with hopes to expand to Highlands and Hardee when available. United Way 2-1-1 Get Connected. Get Answers.


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Posted by Kandy Stanton

Congratulations to the Success Rally Honorees!

March 3, 2007

The 4th Annual Success Rally was held March 1, 2007 at the Lakeland Center. The 2006 Spirit of the Family winners are Keith and Schnars, P.A., Bright House Networks, and Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Finalists are Carter, Belcourt & Atkinson, P.A., Lanier Upshaw, Inc., Lockheed Martin Financial Services, Polk County Clerk of Courts, Coca-Cola North America, Marriott Vacation Club International, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, State Farm Insurance, and W.S. Badcock Corporation.

The 2006 award winners for Best Places to Work are Carter, Belcourt & Atkinson, P.A., Keith and Schnars, P.A., Lanier Upshaw, Inc., Bright House Networks, Coca-Cola North America, Lockheed Martin Financial Services, Marriott Vacation Club International, Polk County Clerk of Courts, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, State Farm Insurance, Winter Haven Hospital, and W.S. Badcock Corporation.

These companies completed applications and were selected by the following panel of judges: Ann Berner, Department of Children and Families; Jim Esmond, Quest Information Services; George Magrill, Youth and Family Alternatives; Larry Miller, Spherion Staffing; Gene Parnell, City of Lakeland, Retired; Viesta Skipper, Life Skills Center; Claudia Tritton, Lakeland Economic Development Council; Kevin Turner, Devereux Florida; and Bobby Yates, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.

For more information contact Polk Works WorkForce 2020 at 863-534-2529 or United Way Success By 6 at 863-648-1500 ext. 265.


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Join Us at the Success Rally!

January 11, 2007

Over half of the students entering kindergarten in Polk County fail the language section of the kindergarten screening tool. These 5-year-old children cannot follow one or two step directions. They cannot listen to a simple story. They cannot speak in sentences, express ideas or talk about their everyday experiences. A child who struggles in kindergarten is more likely to fail a grade, more likely to use drugs and more likely to become sexually active early. A child who succeeds in kindergarten is more likely to thrive in school, more likely to graduate from high school and more likely to meet his or her potential.

Many parents report that they are struggling to balance the demands of work and family. Many employers report that they are struggling to find and keep qualified, dedicated workers. Family-friendly workplaces provide solutions for both problems.

Come see the top Family Friendly companies honored at the Success Rally breakfast to be held at the Lakeland Center on March 1, 2007. These employers provide family friendly policies and family oriented benefits. They encourage parents to be both responsible employees and responsible parents. This investment in our children promotes greater economic health and a stronger workforce.

Please call 863-648-1500 ext.228 for more information.


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2006 United Way of Central Florida Annual Meeting

November 9, 2006

The Board of Directors of the United Way of Central Florida invites you to the 2006 United Way Annual Meeting - Tools For Community Change.

Thursday, November 16, 2006
The Lakeland Center Exhibit Hall
Doors Open: 6:00 pm
Dinner: 6:30 pm

Keynote Speaker: Dick Hoyt - "Yes You Can"

Experience the power behind one man's ability to change a life and influence the world. Using marathons and triathlons and even Ironman competitions, Dick has impacted every community who hears his remarkable story and message of inclusiveness. What one man can do is truly inspirational. Dick is a retired Lt. Colonel after 37 years in the military and father of 3 sons.

$50 per person/ $750 Corporate Reserved Table of Ten (10)

RSVP to Sandi Honeycutt, 863.648.1500 x 232 or sandih@uwcf.org


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Posted by Kandy Stanton

TAKE YOUR PLACE AS ONE OF POLK OR HARDEE COUNTY'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EMPLOYERS!

June 21, 2006

Apply for the 2006 Best Practices Awards!

Benefits for Winners:
-Increased community awareness of your business and accomplishments.
-Improved status with customers and vendors.
-A recruiting edge for top job candidates.
-Improved retention of valuable employees.

Application available at www.polkworks.org/content/bpa/june/step1.asp

Don't wait! Deadline for entries is September 5, 2006.

For more information contact Success By 6 at 863-648-1500 x265


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