Jan/120
Public policy updates: session has begun!
The 2012 session of the Indiana General Assembly is off to a busy start. United Way of Central Indiana supports several bills introduced related to early learning. House Bill (HB) 1323 was heard in a House Education Committee hearing this morning. United Way supported this bill in its original form, which would have put in place additional standards – including those related to health, safety and sanitation – for Indiana child care providers that receive government dollars for their care. However, neither the bill nor a proposed amendment, which would have changed the intent of the bill, was voted on by the Committee, and the bill is not likely move any further during this legislative session. United Way continues to support standardizing health and safety requirements for Indiana child care providers, which is crucial to higher quality child care and school readiness. United Way is grateful to Representative Robert Behning for authoring HB 1323, and we are encouraged that the House Education Committee is putting an emphasis on the importance of early childhood education, including higher quality child care.
Other bills that United Way supports include HB 1136 which will formally recognize the Registered Ministry Advisory Council and Senate Bill (SB) 268 which will establish an early learning advisory committee of the Indiana Education Roundtable. The Indiana Association of United Ways testified in support of SB 268 at a January 18 committee hearing. Both bills passed out of their committees and are being considered by the full House and Senate, respectively.
At the local level, in early January, United Way of Central Indiana announced its support for comprehensive smoke-free air policies. A smoke-free air proposal is currently being considered by the Marion County City-County Council, which is expected to be voted on at the Council's January 30 meeting.
United Way of Central Indiana continues to monitor many other bills currently before the General Assembly, both on our own and as members of the Children's Coalition of Indiana and the Indiana Coalition for Human Services (ICHS). Go here to see some of the bills ICHS is supporting, opposing and/or monitoring. I'll continue to post periodic updates, and as a reminder, you can go here to view United Way's 2012 public policy agenda and here to look up a specific bill on Indiana General Assembly's website.
--Laura Smoots, director, public policy, United Way of Central Indiana
Jan/120
How $10 helped more than 5,600 families during the holidays
When I bought my Sunrise Cookbook before Christmas, I understood that my $10 purchase was quite a deal. I was getting wonderful, healthy recipes to try out on my family. (I'm still working my way through last year's recipes!) And, because the sales benefit United Christmas Service, I was helping families that would not otherwise share in the holiday spirit.
But what I never thought about until today was how my small purchase, when combined with those of people I don't even know, could become so significant to thousands of families in need.
This morning, all the people who helped make the Sunrise Cookbook possible at Marsh, at WTHR-TV and at United Way, got together to celebrate that the 2011 cookbook raised $83,464.67 for United Christmas Service!
To put that in context, the cookbook project has generated approximately $615,000 in the past five years! That is almost the same amount of assistance United Way provided this season to help more than 5,600 families.
I already thought my $10 purchase was a great value. Now, seeing that big ceremonial check and knowing what it meant to thousands of struggling neighbors, that feeling is even stronger. When I think about it, it's what United Way does all year round – gives us all, no matter what amount we can contribute – the power to magnify our giving by joining one another.

Sunrise cookbook partners who joined in the celebration are: (from front left) Bruce Kopp, Eyewitness News; Joe Kelley, president, CEO/chairman, Marsh, Ron Pearson, United Christmas Service volunteer chair; Mary Jones, United Way's community projects director; Angela Cain, WTHR's community affairs director; and, Mimi Pearce, Eyewitness News.(Back, left to right): David Williamson and Connie Gardner, Marsh, Julia Moffitt, Eyewitness News; John Cardenas, WTHR vice president & general manager, WTHR; and, Chuck Lofton, Eyewitness News.
Thanks for a great idea, a great cookbook, and continuing a caring tradition that matters!
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Jan/120
Indiana Youth Group releases specialty license plate
It was a perfect 25th anniversary celebration for Indiana Youth Group (IYG) after approval for their first specialty license plate. IYG is the first organization serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in the country, to release the specialty license plate. "We’ve been working on this for 4 years! It makes a huge statement to the wider community and will hopefully let many more youth know that IYG exists," said Mary Byrne, executive director at IYG.
IYG works with over 1,300 youth a year throughout Indiana. They operate an activity center, build capacity and help form Gay Straight Alliances in high schools throughout the state, and assist other communities in providing their own youth services. The license plates will be sold for $40 with a $25 contribution going toward IYG, and growing their programs and services.
"We are totally excited and hope that our community supports IYG and buys the specialty license plate," said Byrne.
The IYG license plate will be available for purchase in February. Support community youth and look for IYG's new rainbow logo on license plates driving your way!

More information on IYG license plate or visit http://www.in.gov/bmv/
--Katie Rethlake, communications intern, United Way of Central Indiana
Jan/120
How you can help with the community’s greatest need
For the past four years, help with utility bills has remained the most sought-after need of callers to Connect2Help’s 2-1-1. In response, The City of Indianapolis and United Way of Central Indiana continued their collaboration of nearly three decades by launching the Winter Assistance Fund recently at an event at Southeast Community Services. The partners accepted almost $270,000 in contributions from five local funders.

Participating in the news conference where start-ups funds were contributed were: Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams (left to right) United Way’s Director of Agency Services, Christie Gillespie; Greg Sawyer, Citizens Energy Group; Greg Fennig, Indianapolis Power and Light Company; Angela Carr Klitzsch, The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate; and, Michael Twyman, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. If you’d like to help a Marion County neighbor stay warm, you can give at uwci.org/waf or mail a check to Winter Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 660054, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0054. People who need help should call 2-1-1.
More details on the community's needs
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Jan/120
A silent but wild auction
It was an event with great food, games and prizes with a wild western twist! On Dec. 2, 2011, employees from Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and United Way of Central Indiana showed off their boots and spurs for a silent auction. Donations from the event were given to support United Way.

(Friday, December 2, 2011) - United Way committee members, (from left to right) LaVonne Cate, Paula Mitchell, Debbie Cowan, Employee Campaign Coordinator and Leah Knight, show off their western attire. United Way Donor Relations Manager, Marilyn Sadler (back), greets members at the United Way booth.
Jan/120
I LIVE UNITED by bringing to life the Rio Carnaval theme for Oscar Night
As part of my involvement in the community, I participate in many professional organizations and volunteer activities. I find that of all the events I attend and activities I help facilitate, none is as much fun as the annual Oscar Night® America gala, hosted by United Way of Central Indiana and presented by Citizens Energy Group.
Oscar Night is a festive celebration where attendees have an opportunity to watch the annual Academy Awards on a jumbo screen; all while raising money for a good cause. Oscar Night started for me four years ago when a friend of mine on the planning committee invited me to attend my first event. I’ve been every year since, and it an evening I always look forward to.
This year, my friend and colleague, Lisa Tellus, and I have taken on a larger role. We are co-chairing the Décor Committee. It’s been fantastic planning the fun event and helping bring to life this year’s Brazilian, Rio Carnaval theme. We’ve picked out beautiful centerpieces flanked with peacock feathers, a stage garnished with life-size carnival masks and a VIP lounge aimed to impress with soft shades representing the seduction of Brazil’s annual Rio Carnaval parades.

Borshoff volunteers Margaux Childers (right) and Lisa Tellus co-chair United Way’s Décor Committee for this year’s Oscar Night.
Not to mention, all the work we’re putting in is helping United Way of Central Indiana further its mission of sustaining vital human services for those in need, while reducing such needs for future generations.
What does this mean? United Way will use this year’s Oscar Night proceeds to help underprivileged families become financially stable, at-risk youth continue on a path of education through after-school and education programs, and most of all it will help improve the lives of people in our community.
So if I can volunteer a small amount of my time to give back to someone in my community, I’m happy to do it. And, it’s fun!
Don’t miss out on your chance to attend this year’s Oscar Night event, Rio Carnaval. Tickets are on sale now at uwci.org/oscars. I know you’ll love the décor Lisa and I picked out. See you there!
--Margaux Childers, account director, Borshoff, and United Way volunteer
Dec/110
Thank you, Pacers!
Accepting the largest game-day contribution in United Way of Central Indiana's history, President and CEO Ellen K. Annala (right) and Campaign Chair Marianne Glick (to Annala's left) were joined on the court by other LIVE UNITED supporters at the December 16 preseason game of the Indiana Pacers vs. the Chicago Bulls.

Pacers Vice President Greg Schenkel (front left) and President Jim Morris made the ceremonial presentation for $100,000. The gift celebrated the Pacers' return to basketball, and was the start of a "Big Things Are Coming" campaign. The contribution helped United Way push closer to its $39.2 million goal, passing the 88 percent mark.
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana






