United Way of Central Washington

08/31/2026

📚✨Honor Dolly’s legacy by helping a child imagine what’s possible. ✨📚

For many years, United Way of Central Washington was truly honored to serve as the local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, bringing the gift of a new book each month to children and families throughout Central Washington.

Dolly understood the extraordinary power of a child opening a book and discovering a world of possibility. Her vision has inspired generations of children to read, dream, imagine, and believe in what could be.

As Dolly’s family has requested, we invite our community to honor Dolly’s life and legacy with a gift to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. ❤️

A donation in her honor is more than a tribute—it is a way to help carry forward the work she cared so deeply about and ensure that children continue to experience the joy and possibility that comes with a book in their hands.

📖 Give in Dolly’s honor: https://tribute.imaginationlibrary.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Dolly gave the world so many gifts. Let’s give one back by helping her legacy of imagination, literacy, and generosity live on. ✨

08/25/2026

Today, we are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton.

As a local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we have had the incredible privilege of being part of a mission she believed so deeply in: putting books into the hands and hearts of children and helping them discover the joy of reading.

Dolly’s impact reaches far beyond music. Through her generosity, kindness, and belief in the power of a child and a book, she helped create a legacy that will continue for generations.

We are devastated by this loss and will share additional information as it is provided to us by the Imagination Library Foundation.

Today, we invite you to honor Dolly in a simple way: read a favorite book with a child. Share a story. Turn the page. Make a little time for the magic of reading.

Thank you, Dolly, for giving so many children the gift of a book — and so much more.

Rest in peace, Dolly. Your legacy will live on in every child who opens a book because of you.

08/21/2026

You don’t need an entire day to make a difference. 💙

Our Fresh Start Collaborative welcomes volunteers who can give just a couple of hours to help sort, organize, and prepare donations. It’s simple, hands-on work that helps keep resources organized and ready for the people who need them.

Want to make it a group effort? We can also coordinate volunteer projects for businesses, organizations, clubs, families, and other groups looking for a meaningful way to give back together.

A few hours. A few extra hands. A real impact.

Learn more at uwcw.org/freshstart or reach out to Fresh Start Collaborative at [email protected] or by calling 509-230-6347.

You don't need an entire day to make a difference.

Fresh Start Collaborative welcomes volunteers who can give just a couple of hours to help sort, organize, and prepare donations. It's simple work that makes a big difference in keeping resources organized and ready for the people who need them.

Want to make it a group effort? We can also coordinate volunteer projects for businesses, organizations, clubs, families, and other groups looking for a meaningful way to give back together.
A few hours. A few extra hands. A real impact.

Learn more about Fresh Start Collaborative at uwcw.org/freshstart.

08/14/2026

💛Foundation Fridays!💛

August is National Make-A-Will Month — and for this week’s , we’re talking about one of the most meaningful ways to build a legacy that lasts. 💙

A will is about more than deciding who receives what. It’s about protecting the people you love, putting your wishes in writing, and giving thought to the kind of impact you want to leave behind.

For many families, a gift through a will or other estate plan can become a generational gift — one that continues strengthening a community long after the original gift is made. A bequest to United Way Central Washington can help ensure that future generations have access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive. 🌱

And you don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. A gift of any size can become part of a legacy of generosity and community impact.

That’s why we’ve partnered with FreeWill, offering our community a free, easy-to-use tool to create or update a will. It takes less than 30 minutes, costs you nothing, and gives you the opportunity to make your wishes clear — including the option to leave a gift to a cause you care about.

Whether you’re creating your first will or it’s simply time to update the one you already have, August is a great time to take that step.

✨ Plan for the people you love.
✨ Protect what matters most.
✨ Leave a legacy that can reach generations.

Learn more and get started with FreeWill: uwcw.org/FreeWill

08/14/2026

Every family needs a safe place to live and food on the table.

But the rising cost of these basics is putting added pressure on household budgets. Between 2007 and 2024, housing costs in the U.S. nearly doubled while food costs rose 38%.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures price changes across a broad range of goods and services. The ALICE Essentials Index focuses just on the basics families need every day. Because housing and food make up the largest portions of the Index, they are also the biggest drivers of its increase.

Better data helps communities understand where pressures are greatest — and where solutions can have the biggest impact.

Learn more about the ALICE Essentials Index at the link in the comments.

08/13/2026

Our Warehouse Needs Your Help! 🧺❤️

The need in our community is great—and after multiple fires have impacted our region, that need has become even more urgent.

At the Fresh Start Collaborative, our warehouse helps neighbors rebuild after unexpected crises, from fire and displacement to job loss, illness, and the ever-rising cost of everyday essentials. And as more people turn to us for support, our shelves need to keep up.

Right now, we are especially looking for:

🛁 Towels
🍽️ Dishes and kitchen essentials
🗄️ Dressers and other useful furniture
🧴 Hygiene items — always a huge need, in all sizes and types
👟 Adult shoes in good condition — especially everyday footwear like sneakers

If you have new or gently used items that could help a neighbor start fresh, please consider donating them to the Fresh Start Collaborative. Every item makes a difference and helps us say, “Yes, we can help.” ❤️

📧 [email protected]
📞 509-248-1557

Thank you for helping us make sure our neighbors have what they need—not just to get through a difficult moment, but to move forward. United is the Way! 💙

08/12/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Barbara! 🎉

Today we’re celebrating our wonderful Community Engagement Director, Barbara, whose work touches so many corners of our community. From leading our community investment process and helping ensure resources reach where they can make the greatest impact, to managing our Fresh Start Collaborative and helping people access the essentials they need, Barbara brings compassion, dedication, and purpose to everything she does.

We’re so grateful for all you do, Barbara—and for the difference you make every day. 💙

Please join us in wishing her a very happy birthday! 🥳✨

08/11/2026

Last week, we were honored and incredibly grateful to be invited by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation to participate in the community intake event for residents impacted by the Signal Peak and Ransier fires.

We’re equally proud to be partnering with The Campbell Farm, who will be providing immediate intake and helping connect families to access the resources they need. From there, families may be referred to United Way Central Washington’s Fresh Start Collaborative transitional goods warehouse and our Financial Success Center resources including the Benefits Kitchen. We are also helping coordinate donations to support this monumental recovery effort.

During the event, we had the opportunity to speak with more than 20 affected families from the White Swan area, share information about Fresh Start and Financial Success Center programming, as well as provide resource guides and other community resources.

We’re honored to be part of a response rooted in partnership, respect, and listening — and grateful for the organizations working together to make sure families have access to support as they navigate what comes next.

If you have questions, need help connecting with resources, would like to volunteer, or would like to donate, please reach out:

📧 [email protected]
📞 509-248-1557

Thank you again to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Campbell Farm, and everyone working alongside our treasured neighbors!

United Is The Way. ❤️💙💛

08/07/2026

🔥💙 When disaster strikes, the first question many people ask is: “How can I help?” ❤️

Across Central Washington, we have seen the strength of our communities during some of the most difficult moments — from wildfires to other unexpected emergencies that have impacted our neighbors.

But recovery doesn’t end when the flames are out or the immediate crisis has passed.

Families may still be facing the loss of belongings, unexpected expenses, displacement, and the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.

That’s why the United Way Central Washington Disaster Recovery Fund exists.

This fund allows us to respond when urgent needs arise, helping connect resources to communities impacted by crisis and supporting recovery efforts when they matter most.

Because in moments of uncertainty, having resources ready means we can focus on what matters most: helping people move forward.

Your support helps create a stronger, more prepared Central Washington.

To donate to or learn more about the Disaster Recovery Fund, visit:
🌐 https://www.uwcw.org/disasterrecovery

Questions or want to learn more?
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call: 509-248-1557

Together, we can help ensure that when challenges arise, our community has the resources and support needed to recover.

Because when we come together, United Is The Way. 💛

08/06/2026

💙 A fresh start can begin with something as simple as a clean shirt, a toothbrush, or a pair of shoes. 💛

For someone facing a difficult season, access to basic essentials can be one more barrier standing between where they are today and where they want to be tomorrow.

That’s why United Way Central Washington created the Fresh Start Collaborative.

Through Fresh Start, we provide essential items and connections to individuals and families working toward stability. From clothing and hygiene supplies to referrals and resources, we help remove practical barriers that can make moving forward feel overwhelming.

Because when someone is preparing for a job interview, starting a new chapter, recovering from a crisis, or simply rebuilding, having the basics matters.

✨ A professional outfit can help someone walk into an interview with confidence.
🧴 Hygiene items can provide comfort and dignity during a challenging time.
👕 Clothing can help someone feel prepared for their next step.

As we look ahead to the school year and ongoing community needs, we are grateful for the partners and community members who help keep Fresh Start stocked with items our neighbors need.

Current needs include:
🧼 Full-size and travel size hygiene items
🪥 Toothbrushes and toothpaste
🧴 Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
🧦 New socks and undergarments
🎒 New backpacks and school supplies

Every item donated represents a neighbor saying, “You matter. Your next chapter matters.”

Together, we can help our community start fresh. 💙

💙 Want to get involved?

📦 To donate items
🤝 To volunteer
❓ To ask questions
✨ To learn more about the Fresh Start Collaborative

Reach out to us at [email protected] or call United Way Central Washington at 509-248-1557.