Thursday marks the kickoff to the annual United Way Campaign in Orange County. Soon the ‘thermometers’ will be displayed with the new totals as they update throughout the drive.

This year, The Orange Leader will offer a way to contribute to United Way while saying happy birthday or congratulations to others.

For a $5 donation to United Way made through The Orange Leader office, submit a name of a person you wish to say Happy Birthday to, or a couple you wish to say Happy Anniversary to. We will print the names submitted in the next edition of the paper.

We can only accept cash or checks for the donations. Please make checks payable to United Way of Orange County. 

We are offering this as a way for everyone to help make a contribution to an agency which has done so much for the area.

In May, United Way brought back Day of Caring. With 24 businesses and 20 teams, the volunteers generated more than 2,000 man-hours giving back to the community. United Way of Orange County partnered with iConnect Outreach, Nehemiah’s Vision, and Orange County Disaster Rebuild to coordinate volunteers from our community to work on Harvey damaged homes. 

Chemical Row second annual Chili Cookoff is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, at the Dow Business Center (formerly DERA) at 2601 Irving Street in West Orange. Preorder chili by Friday, September 20 and pay only $7 for bowl of chili, crackers, and soft drink or bottled water; $10 at the door. Preorders will be provided by Old Orange Cafe. Delivery available for preorders of 10 or more. $20 wristbands to taste all the chili entries and receive one bowl of chili, crackers, and a drink. Meet and greet Partner Agency representatives and have a chance to win door prizes.
Entries are now open to all businesses. Complete the entry form (found using the link below) and submit by September 20.

https://www.unitedwayorangecounty.org/civicrm/event/info%3Fid%3D74%26reset%3D1

All chili proceeds benefit United Way of Orange County.

For questions or to preorder, contact 409-883-3591 or unitedway@uworangetx.com.

Save the date for the annual Granger 5K walk/run to benefit the United Way of Orange County starting at 8 a.m. on Oct. 12. The race is professionally timed, and medals will be award to the Top three finishers by age group. Register early at www.granger5k.com Event is hosted by Granger Chevrolet.

United Way of Orange County partners with 22 agencies which serve the Orange County area. The agencies focus on one of three areas: health, education, and financial stability. The agencies are:

• Anayat House
• Crisis Center of Southeast Texas (Rape and Suicide)
• Family Services of SETX (Women and Children’s Shelter)
• OCAA (Orange Community Action Association) – Meals on Wheels
• Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas
• SETCADA – Right Choice of Orange County
• SETCADA – Unity Treatment Center
• Shorkey Center
• Southeast Texas Hospice
• Spindletop Center – Tejas Center
• Boys’ Haven
• Boy Scouts – Three Rivers Council
• Camp Fire
• GOALS (Greater Orange Area Literacy)
• Jackson Community Center
• OCARC, Inc.
• Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club
• SETCADA – Community Coalition
• YMCA of Southeast Texas
• Friends Helping Friends
• Salvation Army
• Vidor Children’s Fund

 

Dawn Burleigh is the editor of The Orange Leader. She can be reached at dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com