Your Guide to Messaging for the 2023 United Way Campaign
We’ve put this guide together to help you with social media posting and email messaging. You'll find sample posts below for social media with links to downloadable photos and graphics, as well as emails ready for you to send.
Please feel free to copy and paste these items into your own social media or tweak them to fit your business or organization better. Hopefully, this guide will help you easily navigate posting updates for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties 2023 Campaign. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Posey, director of marketing and communications, at amanda@unitedwaympc.org.
For 2023 campaign flyers and posters, visit the Campaign Toolbox page.
ALICE FB post w/ALICE graphic 1
Say hello to ALICE.
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
They fall above the federal poverty line but still can't make ends meet. They cannot afford to pay for basic needs: housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, basic technology, and more. They don't receive assistance simply because they make too much per year. However, they often don't make enough money to stay ahead of their bills. They are ALICE.
But you can help change the game for these individuals by donating to the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties.
Please help tackle the tough problems and make a difference for those in need.
Donate at www.unitedwaympc.org/give or text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444.
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ALICE stats post w/ALICE graphic 2
45% of West Virginians have trouble making ends meet.
More than 40,000 people in Mon County (42% of the population) and more than 12,000 in Preston County (44% of the population) have trouble meeting their basic needs. They live paycheck to paycheck and are one phone call, one accident, one illness or one step away from a financial crisis.
But United Way is changing the game for these folks by ensuring that food pantries are stocked with healthy options, offering referrals for those who need a helping hand, promoting early childhood education and literacy, working to create financially stable families, and engaging people and encouraging community volunteerism.
Help change the game by donating to the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties.
Donate at www.unitedwaympc.org/give or text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444.
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Vetted donation post w/R Raised beds
Did you know United Way has a 26-member Citizen’s Review Committee that carefully examines community agencies and makes decisions on where funding is needed most? That means, when you donate to the United Way, you know your donation is going to a program that has been carefully vetted by this committee.
And money raised here, STAYS HERE.
Knowing where your money goes is an important part of donating. Help change the game where the need is the greatest.
Donate at www.unitedwaympc.org/give or text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444.
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Born Learning Trail post w/ R Born Learning
Education is one of the most important investments United Way makes as an organization. In 2021, United Way and Women United installed the trail to create an extra learning program for kids.
When you donate to United Way, your money goes to programs and projects, such as the Born Learning Trail, that promote early education.
Donate at www.unitedwaympc.org/give or text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444.
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DPIL post w/R DPIL 1 or R DPIL 2 or R Child reading
Children learn by reading. In fact, according to Scholastic, a student who reads 20 minutes per day will be exposed to 1.8 million words per year and score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests.
Get an early start. Every child in Mon and Preston counties, ages birth-5, is eligible to receive one free book per month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. In Mon County, the United Way, in partnership with Marshall University’s June Harless Center, pays the mailing costs and an amount toward the wholesale books for the Imagination Library, enrolls children locally, and promotes the program to gain more young readers.
Sign your child up at www.unitedwaympc.org/dpil.
Donate to the United Way at www.unitedwaympc.org/give or text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444.
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Change the Game post w/R Eddie and Louie or R Frannie
Huddle up. It’s time to change the game.
The past few years have thrown us all some curve balls, but United Way has led the way, fighting for the basic needs of people in our community.
Now is the time to change the game for those who can’t put food on the table.
Let’s change the game for the hard-working mother trying to pay to keep the electric on, the family living on the streets because they missed too many rent payments, and the kids who need a jumpstart on literacy.
Your donation to United Way will change the game for those most in need.
Donate at www.unitedwaympc.org/give or text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444.
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Agencies post w/ 2023 Agencies spotlight
Who decides what agencies, organizations, and programs receive funding from the United Way each year?
Good question! It’s our Citizen’s Review Committee, made up of 26 community volunteers, that looks at applications, listens to agency presentations, studies financial information, and ultimately makes recommendations on what programs receive funding.
This year, we’re proud to announce that 36 programs at 27 agencies across Mon and Preston counties will receive funding, thanks to dollars raised in the annual campaign.
Here are the agencies receiving allocations this year:
Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network, American Red Cross, Bartlett Housing Solutions, Boy Scouts Mountaineer Area Council, CASA for Kids, Catholic Charities West Virginia, Christian Help, Community Kitchen, Food for Preston, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, Legal Aid of West Virginia, Literacy Volunteers of Monongalia and Preston Counties, Milan Puskar Health Right, Mon Valley Habitat for Humanity, Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center, Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels, Morgantown Area Youth Services Project Inc., On Eagles’ Wings, Operation Welcome Home, PACE Enterprises, Preston County Workshop, Salvation Army, Scott’s Run Settlement House, The Shack Neighborhood House, Spark! Imagination and Science Center, Visiting Homemakers, and West Virginia Caring.
Anytime email: Ways you can help support United Way
Dear Friends,
“We’re so grateful for those who choose to support the United Way through giving, advocating and volunteering. While we count on your financial gifts each year for campaign, there are so many ways to help change the game beyond that vital component.” – Brandi Helms, Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties
You play a critical role in helping the United Way. There are many ways to help change the game, in addition to your financial gift to the organization. Here are some ideas:
• Contribute pennies on each dollar through rounding-up your debit/credit card purchases at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup or text UWMPC to 26989.
• Display a United Way 2023 Campaign sign in your yard or at your business.
• Help fight food insecurity by volunteering for the Helpful Harvest Food Program or the Preston County Mobile Food Pantry by signing up at VolunteerMPC.org.
• Join the Leadership Giving Association by making an annual pledge of $750 or more.
• If you’re a leader at your company, run a workplace campaign or give a corporate donation.
Donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
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First week of campaign
Dear friends,
Let’s huddle up! It’s time to Change the Game for those in need in Monongalia and Preston counties.
Nearly half of West Virginians (45%) have trouble making ends meet.
More than 40,000 people in Mon County (42% of the population) and more than 12,000 in Preston County (44% of the population) have trouble meeting their basic needs. They live paycheck to paycheck and are one phone call, one accident, one illness or one step away from a financial crisis.
But United Way is changing the game for these folks by ensuring that food pantries are stocked with healthy options, offering referrals for those who need a helping hand, promoting early childhood education and literacy, working to create financially stable families, and engaging people and encouraging community volunteerism.
Will you step up to the plate and help make a difference for folks right here in north-central West Virginia?
Please help change the game!
Donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
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Say hello to ALICE with Amy Jo
“I have two jobs and a bachelor’s degree, and I struggle to make ends meet.” -- West Virginian Amy Jo Hutchison testifying in Washington, D.C., before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
“People are working full time in this country for very little money. They’re not poor enough to get help. They don’t make enough to get by.”
Say hello to ALICE. Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
They fall above the federal poverty line but still can't make ends meet. They cannot afford to pay for basic needs: housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, basic technology, and more. They don't receive assistance simply because they make too much per year. However, they often don't make enough money to stay ahead of their bills. They are ALICE.
But you can help change the game for these individuals by donating to the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties. United Way is changing the game for these folks by ensuring that food pantries are stocked with healthy options, offering referrals for those who need a helping hand, promoting early childhood education and literacy, working to create financially stable families, and engaging people and encouraging community volunteerism.
Please help tackle the tough problems and make a difference for those in need.
Hear Amy Jo’s story at www.unitedwaympc.org/amyjohutchison.
And then donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
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Helpful Harvest
In the early days of the pandemic, food was the No. 1 need, based on calls to the WV211 resource line. That’s why Helpful Harvest was born: Get food into the hands of those who need in most in Mon and Preston counties.
In May 2020, when Helpful Harvest was born, it operated primarily at Preston County Workshop until the United Way’s satellite office at Hazel’s House of Hope was finished with renovations. Now, the program runs out of both locations to better serve all communities, and it feeds 12,893 individuals each month by getting food to 46 area feeding programs.
United Way purchases produce – things like tomatoes, potatoes, corn, green peppers, and even zucchini – to distribute to these participating agencies and organizations. There are storage facilities at both county locations, and the agencies and organizations visit these sites to pick up healthy food options on a regular basis.
Through a partnership with Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network, United Way has been able to use two greenhouse tunnels in Westover along the river to start growing food to sell to support Helpful Harvest.
The property itself is owned by West Virginia University, with the support of WVU Extension and agriculture programs. Volunteers from the community, as well as several United Way staff members, are growing leafy vegetables and microgreens, which are then harvested and sold to local restaurants, businesses and individuals.
The volunteers include folks from Abundant Life who are recovering from addiction, and it serves as a step for many of them to re-enter the workforce.
As you can see, Helpful Harvest is making a huge difference in this community in varied ways! Let's help the United Way keep changing the game for folks in need!
Donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
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Giving Provides
Your donation to the United Way stays right here in Monongalia and Preston counties. It helps people in need in the areas of health, education, financial stability, and basic needs.
Want to know where your dollars are being spent? Here are some examples of ways in which you changed the game for folks in 2021:
- 12,893 people were served each month through the Helpful Harvest program, receiving healthy fruits, vegetables, and local meat and dairy products.
- 5,574 youth received educational, life skills, and leadership development training.
- 2,285 children in Mon County received free books in the mail each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
- 854 individuals received abuse and neglect counseling and support services.
- 3,129 referrals to local agencies and organizations were made for people in need who called the WV211 hotline.
United Way changes the game for this community in a multitude of ways. Be part of that change and consider donating to the organization. Thank you for your generous gift!
Donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
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Emerging Leaders
Emerging Leaders are working hard to build that solid foundation for the future of the United Way! The affinity group is made up of 18-40-year-olds who donate $250 in a year to the United Way and take part in volunteer work throughout our community.
You’ll often find Emerging Leaders participating in Day of Caring, working at the Holiday Toy and Food Drive, and spearheading our Spooky Sprint 5K Run/Walk! It’s a great way to get involved, make friends, network, gain leadership skills, and more.
Want to get involved in this organization and make some lifelong friends in the process? Mark the Emerging Leaders box on your United Way pledge card, visit unitedwaympc.org/emergingleaders or text EL to 41444.
Donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
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Women United
Ever thought about joining Women United? This wonderful group of women focuses on early childhood education, leadership training, mentorship, and volunteerism in Mon and Preston counties.
Women United launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Mon County, and now more than 2,300 children are enrolled in the program, which offers a free book each month to children ages birth-5.
Women United raises funds to pay for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library throughout the year, and members also take part in volunteering and mentorship initiatives.
If you’d like to be part of this organization and help make a difference in children’s lives, mark the Women United box on your 2023 campaign pledge card or visit unitedwaympc.org/womenunited.
Donate to the 2023 United Way Campaign: www.unitedwaympc.org/give, text CHANGETHEGAME to 41444, Venmo @unitedwaympc, or round up your purchases to the next dollar by linking a credit card at www.unitedwaympc.org/roundup.
There are two main hashtags you can use for the 2023 Campaign.
#LiveUnited
#ChangetheGame
The United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties is available to tag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All three social media sites use the same handle: @unitedwaympc.
Feel free to tag us on your posts. We will try to share them.
Questions about hashtags or tagging should be sent to amanda@unitedwaympc.org.
