New organization will continue to have local presence and impact in the communities it serves

PHILADELPHIA, April 30, 2012 – Seven United Ways throughout the region announced today that, effective July 1, 2012, they will merge to form United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey – one organization committed to improving lives and creating lasting community-level change across the region.

Collectively, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will have the unique capacity to engage more donors, advocates, and volunteers to address the critical issues facing our local communities, including the focus areas for United Ways across the country related to education, income, and health.

Jill Michal, President and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been named President and CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

“By coming together and sharing our talent, resources and best practices, we will be able to deliver greater impact to those who need us most in local communities across the region,” said Michal. “While for profit mergers are often about delivering shareholder value, non-profit mergers are about amplifying mission. As an organization, United Way believes in the power of partnerships and collaboration to solve problems because we know the whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts.”

The process was led by a design team comprised of deeply dedicated staff and volunteer leaders from each United Way involved, who spent over eighteen months exploring this opportunity and working together to ensure the merger is positioned for long-term success.

“This has been an incredibly thorough and thoughtful process, and we are excited to come together as a region and build on one another’s strengths to create a lasting impact,” said Mindy Holman, President and CEO, Holman Automotive Group, and co-chair of the merger design team.

Continued Local Presence and Local Impact

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will not be defined by a single issue or a single geographic area; it will be driven by the needs of the local communities it serves and will continue to have local presence and impact.

“Relationships and strong community connections are key to the success of our work. The people will be local, money will be invested locally, and the impact will be felt locally,” said John Emge, Executive Director of United Way of Atlantic County and Holman’s co-chair.

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will have a regional board of directors, chaired by Lon Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UGI Corporation. This board will include volunteers from each community and will be charged with overseeing the regional strategy and governance. Local operating boards in each community will focus on local community investments and resource development to continue the support of those investments.

Addressing Regional Issues

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will create stronger partnerships throughout the region to capitalize on the synergies of its communities in order to build strategies that deliver lasting impact at the regional level, while ensuring the organization continues to address the local needs of each community in the way that United Way is uniquely positioned to do.

“This merger will create a stronger, unified organization in the region, and better position us to improve lives and strengthen communities by amplifying the power of each individual who chooses to give, advocate or volunteer,” added Rosemary Turner, President, Chesapeake District, UPS, and board chair, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “By combining each United Way’s unique strengths, capabilities and assets, we’ll deliver more results in local communities.”

Greenberg added “By coming together, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will be able to engage more organizations and individuals who look to United Way as a philanthropic partner, delivering impact in all of the communities important to them. We’ll now have the capacity to take a regional approach to addressing regional issues.”

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Atlantic County, NJ, www.unitedwayac.org
Burlington County, NJ, www.uwburlington.org
Camden County, NJ, www.uwccnj.org
Cape May County, NJ, www.uwcmc.org
Greater Cumberland County, NJ, www.uwcumberland.org
Southeast Delaware County, PA, www.uwdelco.org
Southeastern Pennsylvania, www.uwsepa.org

Sometimes it’s the small moments that matter most. From the time a child enters the world, research suggests they are “born learning”. This learning happens everywhere, and at any given time caregivers are encouraged to share in these important everyday moments, preparing a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning. A Born Learning trail does just that.

The Born Learning Trail is part of United Way’s Success By 6® Initiative, a national program focused on getting kids ready to succeed in school. Supported by the Women’s Leadership Initiative of United Way, Success by 6® develops programs for kids ages 0 to 6 and promotes access to prenatal care, parenting skills, early literacy and immunizations.

On Thursday, October 6, 2011, the United Ways of Atlantic and Cape May Counties along with the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Cape May County Department of Health officially opened a Born Learning trail at the Cape May County Park and Zoo. The trail is a result of a partnership between the Cape May County Department of Health and the United Way.

Based on the latest early childhood research and approved by national early learning experts, the Born Learning Trail is designed to use outdoor activities to boost language and literacy development and to help caregivers understand how best to support early learning in outdoor everyday moments. The trail consists of nine signs that feature different activities, such as Watch! Stop! Learn! Play!, a game encouraging caregivers to follow the child’s lead, building the child’s curiosity and confidence.

“We know that the learning that happens in a child’s early years is essential in preparing kids for success in school later on,” said John Emge Executive Director of United Way of Atlantic County. “We want to help parents and caregivers identify and use these everyday moments in their regular outings. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is a perfect location to support this.”

“What could be a better fit than a Born Learning trail at the Cape May County Park and Zoo,” said Dr. Jim Farrell, local chiropractor and Board President of the Cape May County United Way. “It’s easy to spot great learning moments in the zoo, now caregivers can continue that interaction and learning at the park as well with the Born Learning trail.”

“Lucky” the Leprechaun Duck is still available, call 609-404-4483. Proceeds benefit United Way of Cape May County.

A rainy morning couldn’t spoil the fun for the bikers, who roared down the Boardwalk on Sunday for the United Way’s Rubber Ducky Ride. And from now on, one local motorcycle fan will be roaring louder than ever. James Loper, Jr. was the first local resident in Roar to the Shore history to win the annual motorcycle raffle. He is now the proud owner of a 2011 Harley-Davidson Black Denim Street Bob valued at $13,000 from Atlantic County Harley Davidson.

The real winners, however, of the annual ride and raffle are the residents of Cape May County. Thanks to a partnership with Cape Classic Motorcycle Group and Roar to the Shore Entertainment, The United Way of Cape May County raised more than $12,000 at the event. That money will stay in the county to support education and assistance programs that help residents live better lives.

United Way volunteers worked throughout the weekend, selling tickets to the raffle, even braving Sunday morning’s wet weather to make sure the event was a successful one. The United Way is currently working to build its volunteer base to compensate for the recent loss of paid staff. They are hoping to transform the United Way into a true, community volunteer organization.
“This has been a tough year for us financially, just as it is a tough year for many residents in our county,” United Way President, Dr. James Farrell said. “That’s why we are so grateful to businesses, volunteers and civic organizations like Cape Classic and Roar to the Shore, who support the work we do. They truly are leaders in our community, and we need them and people like them more than ever.”

The 2010 Rubber Ducky Regatta was a quacking success. Thanks to a dedicated flock of volunteers and community-minded organizations like Morey’s Piers and the Gazette newspapers, local banks and businesses and area residents, the United Way Rubber Ducky Regatta will again allow us to provide the valuable services and programs that make our county such a great place to live.

Please call 729-2002 if you think you are a winner.

The winning duck numbers:

Who is this mysterious duck? No one knows.
No one – except Stephanie Hoover of the United Way of Cape May County. And she isn’t telling.
At least not yet.

“It’s top secret – for now,” Hoover said, but on Sunday, the new duck’s identity will be revealed.
This brand new ducky flew into town this year – just like Cowgirl Sal Duck, Suzy Spa Duck, Ron the Rocker and EMS Eddie. But he has been hiding out in an undisclosed location, waiting for his race day debut.

He will go on sale this Sunday before the Rubber Ducky Regatta at Morey’s Raging Waters Park at Schellenger Avenue. The last chance ducky sale will kick-off at at 1 p.m. until the race gets underway at 7 p.m., when ducky fans will find a viewing spot along the lazy river to await the 7:30 post time.

The regatta is a unique community event, where hundreds of residents and visitors gather at Raging Waters Water Park to cheer on thousands of yellow duckies as they make their way around the Lazy River, winning prizes for their human sponsors.
And it’s not too late to get in on the fun. Becoming a sponsor is easy – simply purchase a souvenir ducky on race day to be entered in the race for your chance to win. Fabulous prizes are given away on race day to the sponsors of winning ducks. Plus, everyone who sponsors a duck for $5.00 receives an adorable souvenir ducky and a ticket good for additional gifts from local businesses.

This year, ducky sponsors will receive a coupon good for a hot dog and a soda from Wreckers Grill on race day; a coupon for buy one get free ice cream cones at Wildwood Dairy Queen; and a ticket for a free ride on Mariners Landings’ Giant Ferris Wheel.

And while the Mystery Duck’s identity is still not known, one thing is certain – it will be a ducky day for all.
Proceeds from the race will benefit United Way of Cape May County programs, which strive to make life better for county residents. For more information, call 729-2002.

Captain Quackers strutted his stuff at Wildwood’s Annual Baby Parade Wednesday, Aug. 4, along with two Philadelphia favorites- The Philly Phanatic and the Eagles Swoop. The parade is a pround tradition in Wildwood, and Captain Quackers was proud to be a part of it.

Can you help find the last missing duck in time?

United Way officials are reporting that three of four missing rubber duckies have now been found, thanks in part to a tip from Barbara Groves of North Cape May, who guessed that the third missing duck was hiding at the office of Senior Excursions, on Pacific Ave. in Wildwood.

Rainy Day Duck had just returned from a Senior Excursions day trip to Atlantic City with a group of senior traveling companions, when he was spotted. He said he loved seeing the sites and making new friends but he was ready to get back to work…at least for now.

“I know I’m not quite weady for wetirement yet, but being a celebrity duck can get you down. After the wace, I’ll be back for some west and welaxation,” he said.

For helping to find the missing duck Barbara Groves will receive a quack pack prize pack that includes passes to Morey’s Piers and a gift certificate to Court House Diner. She will also be entered into a grand prize drawing for a Seaside Fun Pack of Morey’s Piers passes, Tram Car tickets, and admission for two to the Sweet Soul and Rock ‘n Roll Concert at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Labor Day weekend. The concert features entertainment by Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards and The Spinners, plus celebrity impersonator Linda Axelrod as Joan Rivers. The winner will be chosen at the Rubber Ducky Regatta on Aug 15.

But United Way officials are not ready to celebrate yet. One duck remains missing. Luckily, clues to his whereabouts have been discovered, but they need help finding him.

Examine the photos and the letter from Kayak Duck to see if you can determine his hiding place. If you think you have located him, email your tip to flewthecoop@uwcmc.org before noon, Saturday, Aug. 7. Please include your name, hometown, phone number and a description and location of the duck’s hiding place to be eligible to win. A winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries and announced here next week.

Here’s the clue:

It seems my journey has led to a dead end, but what a beautiful place to be. According to their sign, this place was established in 1736, so it’s been here a long time…I would like to be here a long time, too. I can just watch the seashore traffic roll by as I float along the shore of my new ducky habitat. I can sip cocktails on the sand overlooking an unused bridge, or I can head indoors to enjoy a delicious crab cake or bread pudding in the dining room. Life is just ducky.

See you sometime,

Kayak Duck