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| It is almost the end of a year during which we helped children to stay in school, adults to learn new skills and occupations in order to become independent, disabled people or suffering serious illnesses improved their lives; and all these positive changes were possible because of the priceless support from our partners, donors, volunteers, companies and their employees. |
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We thank you all and wish you happy winter holidays! |
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| It is the season to count the results at United Way! |
| 2011 has meant a lot of work for United Way and many projects that changed for the better the lives of those in need. |
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| Approximately 6500 people in need were helped to improve their lives: |
| Education |
 810 children who were not enrolled in school, who abandoned school or were at high risk of school abandonment and who came from families with serious social and economic problems (income below poverty line, improper living conditions, parents with illnesses or divorced, many children, very low educational level, etc.) benefited from support in school re-integration and tutoring for homework, combined with food, school supplies and learning the proper social behavior acceptable for a healthy community. The parents of these children were helped to overcome the difficult situation their whole family was confronted with and to improve their living conditions; |
| 2060 children hospitalized for long periods of time and suffering from very serious illnesses (cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis, various surgical interventions) benefited from educational and artistic activities, clinical animation programs, origami, theater, painting, etc. These activities helped them fight with their illness and remain strong during the time they spent in hospital, most of the time alone, without their parents; |
| 290 children and young people with disabilities benefited from therapy and participated in educational and occupational activities in order to enroll in normal school programs and to complete professional training courses. |
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| Health |
| 1,060 adults suffering from cancer and their relatives received palliative care (material, medical, social and spiritual support and psychological counseling); |
| 355 elderly with health conditions, isolated and in most cases alone or forgotten by family or relatives and with very low income received home-care, material, medical, spiritual and social support. |
| 100 children who suffer from cancer, leukemia or severe neurological conditions received medical care and psychological counseling along with therapy using art and play time and recreational and socializing activities. |
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| Income |
| 150 persons with physical and/ or mental disabilities have made their first step towards having a job and integrating into community through activities of occupational therapy in protected workshops. They started their formal education, completed professional training courses, prepared for and found a job; |
| 240 children and young people who are victims of abuse, domestic violence, negligence and extreme poverty, being at risk of abandonment, received shelter, material and educational support; |
| 656 homeless people received food, medical and social assistance and counseling. The beneficiaries were helped in getting IDs, improve their living conditions, and find a job or other sources of income (pension, social aid); |
| 330 adults who are victims of abuse, domestic violence and extreme poverty received shelter, material and educational support and counseling; |
| 270 persons found a job or raised their income, this way being able to offer o better life for their families; |
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| Throughout the year, United Way volunteers dedicated hundreds of hours from their time to understand the local community’s problems, to choose the best projects that address these problems and to visit and monitor the activities, in order to ensure transparency and grow confidence that the money raised are used in the best possible way. |
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| Changed Lives |
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| Volunteers and their good deeds |
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| Our partner companies helped us financially but also through their employees, who offered to volunteer. Wanting to meet and know better the people whose lives are improved through our projects, they generously donated their time and hearts and helped us with a variety of activities. |
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| Children from several United Way projects were on the spotlight |
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| when visiting the offices of our partner companies. They enjoyed the opportunity of seeing where "the grown-ups" are working and some learned how to use a digital photo camera helped by the employees from HP Romania. The children who visited BDO and Bancpost offices made drawings to show what they wish to be when they grow up or what happiness looks like for them. At Radisson Blu Hotel, the little guests enjoyed a delicious meal with pizza and fresh smoothies at the restaurant. |
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| The elderly enjoyed being hosts for groups of volunteers from Hilton in Bucharest and from Genpact in Cluj. United Way volunteers listened to the residents’ life stories and spent quality time with them, so that dreary autumn days were turned into warm memories for all. |
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| There were also some creative and engaging fundraising initiatives, with the purpose of raising money for those who won’t enjoy the winter holidays without our help. At IBM, the employees bought home-made warm punch and gingerbread offered by Mihai Tudor, General Manager, IBM South-East Europe and President of the Board of Directors, United Way Romania. |
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| At SC Johnson the employees could order various types of coffee –cappuccino, espresso, etc. that had to be prepared and served by a nominated colleague; the price was made according to the taste of coffee, the quality of service and the overall customer satisfaction! |
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| All money raised was donated to United Way, so that the people in need, supported throughout the year, can also enjoy the winter holidays. |
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| Dacris: a gift offered to those close to us, happier holidays for the United Way beneficiaries |
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| Before the winter holidays, Dacris is supporting United Way with a special proposal: the Christmas Office brochure with office supplies. The brochure is available on the United Way website, so you can choose gifts for friends and business partners. Any purchased item will make you part of United Way’s efforts to improve the lives of those confronted with critical health, education and social integration challenges. |
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| This year’s edition of the United Way Christmas Fair |
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| Children coming from poor families, young disabled adults, single mothers, elderly people with no income and homeless people have prepared with great joy and dedication various Christmas decorations, greeting cards and hand made items for the United Way Christmas fair. Placed inside the partner companies offices, so that employees can buy quality and hart-felt gifts, the fair is an opportunity to support United Way beneficiaries and to recognize their efforts, as the money raised go directly to those who made the items. |
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| "I was looking forward to the United Way Christmas fair so I can ‘acquire’ small gifts for my colleagues and family. The joy of giving is increased by knowing the item bought is not only a gift for someone dear to me, but is also an appreciation of someone’s work. The people who made the objects need our help and through United Way I feel I am helping them too." - said Mihai, employee in a United Way partner company. |
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| The United Way raffle |
| As every year, the United Way Raffle takes place in December, with the purpose to offer prizes to those who generously support us by filling in the donation cards through which United Way is able to support the social projects. The winners are decided by a public draw, for each of the 3 categories: donations ≥25 RON, ≥50 RON si ≥100 RON; The raffles’ prizes are offered through the generosity of our partners: JW Mariott, Athenee Palace Hilton, Radisson Blu, Freescale, WineRo, Coty Cosmetics, Baneasa Shopping City, Reader’s Cafe and Privileg Catering. |
| Readers Café, as the location and the menu are generously offered by our hosts.
The winners’ list will be published on our website soon after the raffle. |
Click here for the full List of winners ... |
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United Way Romania Partners 2011 |
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