United Way of Lake County Annual Celebration

May 2, 2011 (Lake County, IL)- United Way of Lake County is joining with members of the community in celebrating many outstanding achievements reached throughout the year at an Annual Celebration and Recognition Event.  This “tropical celebration” is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 19, 2011 and is hosted by KeyLime Cove’s at their facilities at 1700 Nations Drive in Gurnee. The event will be filled with tangible stories of successful partnerships and the positive effects that volunteer time and donations have made in Lake County.  Tickets are $25 per person or $250 for a table of 10.  Tickets include appetizers and 1 drink ticket.  Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP no later than May 13th and may do so online at www.uwlakeco.org/annual or may contact Cynthia Zimmerman at cynthia.zimmerman@uwlakeco.org or 847-775-1015.  Tropical dresswear is also encouraged.

The opportunity to celebrate is never fully realized until we are able to reflect on our tangible measures of success.  Over this past year, United Way of Lake County working closely with our corporate, community and agency partners, has had many reasons to celebrate. Some of the specific accomplishments include:

• 3,000 corporate and community volunteers donated a total of 10,382 hours of service valued at $216,500 to Day of Caring projects throughout Lake County.
• 1,205 low-income Lake County children received school physicals and immunizations at the Kids 1st Health Fair.
• 75 high school families received a refurbished home computer through our Stay in School program’s Computer Learn and Earn initiative.
• 26,000 Lake County residents were connected to local health and human services through FindHelpLakeCounty.org
• 32,000 books were distributed to 5,300 low-income preschool and elementary school children in Lake County.
• Over 5,000 young children have a fun, active way to learn basic kindergarten skills at 18 Success By 6 Early Learning Trail locations in Lake County.
  
  

These are just a few examples of what the power of community can do. The success we celebrate is not due to one individual, project or group.  Rather, the cumulative effect of many pieces brings together lasting change for a positive impact in Lake County.

 About United Way of Lake County:

United Way of Lake County (UWLC) is preparing our children to succeed in a changing world by focusing on education and building safe and stable families.  We are focusing on three key educational programs: Success By 6 Program—prepare for kindergarten; Reading Success Program—read at grade level; and the Stay in School Program—graduate high school.  UWLC is overcoming reading and educational barriers by reaching children, from preschool through high school, through these key programs.  The overall effect and benefits are multiplied by the strong collaboration with agencies and our community partners.