This week is 'Live United Week'

Date: 9/13/2010

GREATER SPRINGFIELD -- United Way of Pioneer Valley will unite with local and state leaders, community advocates and volunteers alike to hold its inaugural Live Uniter Week from Sept. 13 through 16.

"Live United Week is all about providing opportunities for people to give, advocate, volunteer," Dora D. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of the Pioneer Valley, said. "The more the community does for its members, the more people in the community work to help others, the more the community works as a whole. That is how change happens, and that is what it means to live united."

Live United Week will kick off Sept. 13 with celebrations and pep rallies traveling throughout the day visiting the mayors of Westfield, Holyoke and Springfield. The Peter Pan Bus Lines double decker Live United bus of United Way staff, volunteers and local officials will bring their excitement about Live United week directly to workplaces along the route to rally employee support and jumpstart the workplace giving campaign. The kick-off events are being underwritten by Comcast.

On Sept. 15, United Ways across the commonwealth will join forces for the first-ever statewide Day of Caring. Over 1,300 volunteers from the Pioneer Valley, and nearly 15,000 volunteers statewide, will lend a helping hand to charitable agencies throughout the state that are in need of assistance with maintenance, office work, painting and other projects.

One such opportunity just added this year is Project Homeless Connect, a one-day, one-stop offering of services designed to provide people who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness with what they need to move toward housing and stability. Project Homeless Connect will take place at the MassMutual Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors will work one-on-one with volunteers to connect them with vital resources, including services related to housing, employment, medical and mental health care, legal assistance, transportation assistance, food, clothing and even help visitors get a haircut. Project Homeless Connect is a national best practice model that originated in San Francisco.

Also on Sept. 15, Chili's Bar and Grill on 302 Cooley Street, will host a Chili's Give Back Night from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with 10 percent of all sales, excluding tax and tip, benefitting the United Way of Pioneer Valley. Diners must present an event voucher. Vouchers are available for download at www.uwpv.org.

Live United Week will wrap up on Sept. 16 when golfers and supporters alike will tee off for the 18th annual United Way Golf Tournament at Crestview Country Club in Agawam, and Oak Ridge Golf Club in Feeding Hills. Sponsorship and player opportunities are available by contacting Sarah Tanner at 413-693-0227 or stanner@uwpv.org.