Love is in the air

February 3, 2021

By Julie Capaldi, President, United Way of Pickens County

 

I am so tired of COVID-19 and the misery and sadness that it has brought to people I love. OVER IT. February is Valentine’s Day month and I vow to be a huge bundle of sweetness and love, starting with this article!

We all need a happy ending…especially right this minute. Do you ever read stories and wonder, “What happened to this person?”

Here’s your very own happy ending!

Remembering "Ms. Pat"

January 12, 2021

By Julie Capaldi,President, United Way of Pickens County

PICKENS COUNTY — At the heart of United Way of Pickens County’s Volunteer Income Tax Program, nicknamed VITA, is a corps of dedicated volunteers who donate their time and expertise, year after year, to make sure hard working low to moderate income tax payers submit their tax returns correctly and on time. United Way of Pickens County has provided this free service for years.

From the Front Lines

December 16, 2020

By Julie Capaldi, President, United Way of Pickens County

 

As I watch the COVID-19 Recovery Fund shrink and the requests for assistance explode, it scares the heck out of me.

After nine months dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus, I have discovered a clear pattern of requests for assistance.  The first need is food. When someone is hungry, they will humble themselves and ask for help, especially when there are children involved.  Then the requests for rent and utility assistance come especially now that the weather is cold.

Hunger is the first sign

November 25, 2020

By Julie Capaldi, President, United Way of Pickens County

COVID fatigue, COVID cranky, Coronacation, (which is another term for NO vacation). I am all of those things but mostly, I am just plain scared. For nine months, United Way and our front line friends have been dealing with the decimation of people’s lives by the coronavirus.

National Estate Planning Awareness Week Highlights the Need for Wills

October 19-25 is National Estate Awareness Week.

Adopted in 2008 by U.S. House of Representatives, National Estate Planning Awareness Week was established to assist Americans in preserving their assets built over their lifetime for the benefit of family, heirs and charities.

DID YOU KNOW... More than half of all Americans die without a will. When this happens, assets are distributed according to state laws where the deceased lived at the time of their death.

When all you can do is beg

September 16, 2020

By Julie Capaldi, President, United Way of Pickens County

 

COVID-19. I am just SO over it. The coronavirus propelled so many hard working families into poverty. It’s just shocking how quickly it happened. The children may be suffering the most… ripped away from school and their friends for months. Now they are back in school but it’s a completely different experience…masks, protective workstations, social distancing. UGH!

New Tax Advantage for Donors

There is a new financial incentive for Americans to give generously to qualifying charities, including United Way of Pickens County and many of our community partners. The new universal tax break for charitable donations was included in the final $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package and will go into effect starting with the 2020 tax year.