TOPS Camp Fair Date Set for March 5March 5, 2008 United Way of Androscoggin County will host the TOPS Camp Fair at the Multipurpose Center in Lewiston from 5-7 p.m. This is an opportunity for Lewiston public school students in grades 3-6 and their families to get information on the camps statewide, as well as learn more about the TOPS scholarship program. TOPS is a collaborative effort between United Way of Androscoggin County and the Libra Foundation. Last year over 1,000 scholarships were awarded.
(READ MORE)

Keeping Our Community Warm – United Way Aids with Heating Assistance
United Way of Androscoggin County distributed funding to the local chapter of Salvation Army and Rural Community Action Ministry to cover the emerging costs for individuals and families struggling to heat their homes this winter. The assistance is available to people throughout Androscoggin County to help with all types of home heating needs.

If you want more information on the home heating assistance available locally, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211maine.org for a comprehensive list of options. 2-1-1 Maine connects people who want to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community. (READ MORE)

Hello from United Way –

This is a particularly busy time of year for our United Way office, with our staff working alongside many committed local volunteers on community investments and several exciting initiatives underway. Here’s a quick snapshot of just a few highlights. Please pass this news along to anyone you know who might also be interested.

United Way Works with Local Partners on Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax benefit for people who work. United Way of Androscoggin County partnered with the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Chamber of Commerce and L/A Tax Coalition to raise awareness for this program, which brought over $3 million in refunds and credits to our area since 2004. The Lewiston/Auburn EITC partnership is one of only six in the State of Maine and is the highest grossing local EITC program statewide.  As part of the EITC program, eligible individuals receive free income tax preparation, which is being offered January 21—March 21, 2008 at the Multipurpose Center in Lewiston. Free, secure and accurate tax preparation and e-filing by IRS certified preparers is being offered.
(READ MORE)

Community Volunteers Working Hard, Investing United Way Donations
United Way of Androscoggin County has mobilized over 50 local volunteers to make investment decisions for the dollars raised during the annual community fundraising campaign. Volunteers visit local agencies to learn how health and human services are provided to help people here in our community, review financial and program information of each applicant agency and attend related presentations. In 2008, 40 local agencies submitted 56 program applications for funding. There are nine new program applications this year. Investment decisions will be announced this spring. (READ MORE)

United Way Selected to Distribute FEMA Funds Locally
United Way of Androscoggin County was chosen to receive funding to supplement emergency food and shelter programs throughout Androscoggin County. The selection was made by the National Board of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Local representatives from Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, local faith clergy, senior citizen providers and United Way will distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas. In 2007, United Way distributed FEMA funds to eleven local non-profit organizations. (READ MORE)

Your Help Needed to Achieve Community Fundraising Goal
At the United Way of Androscoggin County Campaign Celebration in November United Way announced raising 70 percent of our community fundraising goal of $1,900,000. Thanks to the generosity of businesses and individuals throughout our community, we have closed the gap to within 10 percent of our goal. We must raise that final ten percent to continue creating lasting, positive change in our community. Together we can reach this goal, but we can’t do it without your help.

Please give by mailing a contribution to United Way at PO Box 888, Lewiston ME 04243-0888, visiting our secure on-line donation page or arranging for payroll deduction at your workplace.

Thanks,
Joleen Bedard