United Way Community Collaborations
One of the greatest strengths of United Way is our ability to form partnerships with local businesses and individuals who can collaborate on projects that improve the lives of our community members. We work best when we all work together!
United Way of Coastal Carolina Community Partnerships
United Way of Coastal Carolina partners with International Paper in New Bern, NC to assist in the packing and distribution of Feminine Hygiene kits which are distributed to local public schools as part of International Paper's worldwide initiative to End Period Poverty and Keep Girls in School. Volunteers from International Paper, United Way, MOEN and other community organizations provide the manpower to pack the kits which have a variety of products and notes of encouragement. Kits are given to school counselors and nurses in Craven, Jones and Pamlico Counties.
United Way of Coastal Carolina partners with our local business community to hold April Food Days, a one week non-perishable food collection in April. Participating businesses include Weyerhaeuser, International Paper, MOEN and The Insurance Center. United Way collects the food, personal hygiene and cleaning products and distributes them to partner agencies that work to combat food insecurity, including Religious Community Services Food Pantry, Coastal Women's Shelter, Fishes and Loaves Food Bank in Pamlico County, HeartWorks After School Program, and Promise Place.
In mid to late February, United Way holds an annual book collection event, Books for Littles. During this book drive, which wraps up on Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2, thousands of new and gently used books are collected and distributed to local schools, day cares, after school programs, and agencies that provide emergency shelter to families. Special thanks to MOEN, Weyerhaeuser, Teen Court and generous individuals who donate new and gently used books for Tots to Teens.
United Way of Coastal Carolina has partnered with local businesses and individuals to install 7 Born Learning Trails in our service area. These Trails are a United Way Worldwide initiative to offer learning experiences, while having fun, to young children and their caregivers. The Trails are made up of 10 stations with signs that are intended to encourage interaction, early learning and creativity in a positive environment. The Born Learning Trails in our area are:
- Kidsville at West New Bern Rec Center - sponsored by Ken and Dru Wilkins
- Shevans Park in Morehead City - sponsored by the Carolina Panthers
- Freedom Park in Beaufort - sponsored by Truist, formerly BB&T
- Creekside Park in New Bern - sponsored by Truist, formerly BB&T
- Craven Terrace Play Ground in New Bern - sponsored by Black Insurance Services
- Pleasant Hill Park in New Bern - sponsored by MOEN
- West Craven Park in Vanceboro - sponsored by International Paper
In partnership with United Way of Coastal Carolina, Weyerhaeuser Company has sponsored two Little Free Libraries in Jones County. The first is located at The Filling Station in Pollocksville and the second is located by the Old Mill in Trenton.
UWCC has also donated books from the Books for Littles Drive to the Friends of Craven County Library to help stock Little Free Libraries throughout the County.
