Thanksgiving is the time of year where families and communities get together to give thanks, and this year we want to help you take it one step further by giving back.
This Friday evening, we’re teaming up with the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration to illuminate downtown Plymouth with Illuminate 2014, an inspirational evening of music, art, culture, food, and light in downtown Plymouth. The event begins at 4PM at Cole’s Hill with a candle-lighting ceremony, and we invite the community to join us in lighting a candle (either real or through the Illuminate 2014 mobile app on their Apple or Android devices) to shine a light on what’s important. The event will continue with a street festival from 5-7PM on Court and Main Streets, where event-goers can enjoy more live music, art, food, and fun.
We’ve created this event to bring the community together to highlight the inspirational message of gratitude and giving fundamental to Thanksgiving, and we hope that as we continue to host Illuminate each year, more and more communities join in the movement.
Another inspirational movement that’s really taken off since Thanksgiving of 2012 is #GivingTuesday, a social media campaign that promotes a day of giving on the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving holiday to counter “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday.” Plymouth 400 is leading this campaign in our community this year by encouraging you to make a charitable donation or spend time volunteering at one of the many wonderful non-profit organizations in the Plymouth area.
One of these organizations is the United Way of Greater Plymouth County (UWGPC). We caught up with the UWGPC staff to find out more about what this local chapter of United Way Worldwide:
P400: What’s the history behind UWGPC? When was it formed and why?
UWGPC: United Way of Greater Plymouth County was established in 1922 to help serve the needs of the 22 cities and towns in greater Plymouth County. We aim to serve those low income individuals in our community who are most in need. We just celebrated our 92nd year this past June!
You may also be interested in the history of United Way Worldwide (first branch established in 1887!).
What is the mission of UWGPC today?
UWGPC: Our mission is “to unite people, ideas and resources to improve lives.”
How does UWGPC help the community?
UWGPC: Our United Way currently funds 27 partner agencies with 45 initiatives serving Brockton to Plymouth and the towns in between. These initiatives help in the three areas of health, education, and income (financial stability).
We also serve as a community convener, participating in a number of community coalitions such as the South Shore Network to End Homelessness, The Emergency Food & Shelter Program and The Brockton Area Hunger Network to name a few.
We also work hard to better the community by putting together events such as our annual Day of Caring- a day of community service throughout Plymouth County. At this past Day of Caring in October, we had 150 volunteers from local organizations and companies working to help clean up the community and perform projects at our partner agencies from painting to picking up litter.
How can the community support UWGPC?
UWGPC: – Make a donation online here: http://www.uwgpc.org/donate-online-now
– Run a United Way Workplace Campaign at your organization. Please contact our Director of Resource Development, Rick Noll at 508-583-6306 ext. 104.
– Volunteer! Find local agencies that need your help on our volunteer platform www.volunteersouthcoast.org
– Advocate! Visit our website http://www.uwgpc.org/advocate to learn more about our mission and spread the word.
What’s UWGPC’s favorite part about “the giving season” and #GivingTuesday?
UWGPC: “Giving Tuesday is both a reminder to be thankful for our many blessings and a call for us to reach out and to help our neighbors in need” -Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Thanks, United Way! We’re excited to be promoting #GivingTuesday with you this year!
