Contributed by Michele Harmeling, United Way of Mat-Su
As we move into spring, we are hopeful and planning to continue, or reinvigorate, our usual programming and services. We are comforted and inspired by stories from around the Valley of neighbors helping neighbors, friends checking in with one another and Mat-Su residents banding together to help others in need.
Applications for both non-profits seeking assistance and interested volunteer groups are open as we finalize details for “Week of Caring”! If you are either a Mat-Su agency, or a volunteer group leader, interested in our largest annual volunteer event, you can read more on how to apply below.
Other summer projects will be announced as they are finalized, so be on the lookout! It is shaping up to be a busy few months. There will be several opportunities to volunteer throughout the summer. If you are interested in volunteering, visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org/volunteer to get started!
The “Meals for Mat-Su Littles” project will continue through May. Volunteers and delivery drivers are always welcome! Special thanks to Mat-Su Health Foundation for funding this community effort.
Thrive Mat-Su has a full schedule of events for youth, and is adding more every day! You can find their text platform information below.
The 2021 UWMS Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide and Pocket Guides are available for pickup in our offices, by appointment only. Please call 745-5824 to schedule a pickup! If you are unable to pick guides up, please let us know and we will do our best to delivery some to you.
We are excited to see things improve in our community, especially the weather! We look forward to Summer of 2021 and a renewed energy here at UWMS. Read on for a look at what we’re up to!
We are now accepting applications for 2021 Week of Caring projects and partners!
It's been a year since we were able to engage in our biggest annual volunteerism project, and we are so excited to see it return!
What is “Week of Caring”? Week of Caring engages volunteers from local, community-minded businesses in providing volunteer assistance to non-profits in the Valley who need a helping hand. Past projects include spring cleaning and repairs at the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center and Girl Scout Camp Togowoods, park and playground clean-ups, donations sorting at turn-a-leaf, grounds work at Family Promise, and more! Our business volunteerism partners have come from establishments across the Valley, like Wells Fargo Bank, MVFCU, First National Bank Alaska, and other energetic volunteers who give their time to assist.
We recently expanded from a single day of activities to an entire week, to accommodate our partners' schedules.
Week of Caring 2021 will take place May 17-21, 2021!
How Do I Get Involved?
Register your project and receive assistance, or register as a volunteer group at www.unitedwaymatsu.org/volunteer.
Messages of Hope Are Springing Up Around the Valley!
Thrive Mat-Su and United Way of Mat-Su have partnered with local artist, Audra Niekamp Reger of Stardust Dezignz to spread some words of hope and encouragement around the Valley.
Audra combines her whimsical, uplifting style with window paintings and phrases intended to help spread joy and a sense of belonging through art. Her work appears around Palmer at participating businesses, Sutton Public Library and Wasilla Public Library just to name a few.
Funded through grants coordinated by Thrive Mat-Su, the “Messages of Hope” project began as a collaboration between Thrive staff, youth and members of the AK Valley Rocks rock-painting group. We then decided to go a step further, and enlisted Audra's assistance in making Messages of Hope visible around the Valley.
Are you a local business owner interested in participating in “Messages of Hope”? Please call 745-5824 for more details. See more “Messages of Hope” on Audra's business page: Stardust Dezignz.
Thrive Mat-Su is hard at work planning awesome activities for youth!
Thrive is beginning to offer both online training opportunities (Thrive University) and virtual field trips monthly. Please let us know if you would like to be added the invite list for these on-line opportunities
Online Meetings & Training Opportunities:
Thrive Varsity Zoom Meetings
1st & 3rd Wednesday of the Month: 4pm-5pm
Please Click Here to Sign Up
Thrive U - Zoom Training
2nd Wednesday of the Month: 4pm-5pm -
Open to all students: 6th grade-20 years old
Please Click Here to Sign Up
Thrive Online Field Trips
4th Wednesday* of the Month: 4pm-5pm
Open to all students: 6th grade-20 years old
Please Click Here to Sign Up
Upcoming Thrive University Schedule:
April 14th, 4pm
Resume Building with Yolanda Thomas
May 12th, 4pm
Growth Zone with Colin Courtney
Upcoming Virtual Field Trips:
April 30th, 1pm
Penguin Encounter at Oregon Zoo
May 26th, 4pm
The Louvre Museum
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