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Hi Uniters!
We hope your 2025 is off to an incredible start. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work making a difference in our community, and we’re so excited to share some impactful updates with you.
As we step into a new year full of opportunities, we’re reminded that your unwavering support makes it all possible. Thanks to you, we’ve continued to improve lives and create a stronger, healthier Martin County.
Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve accomplished together and what’s ahead:
IMPACTFUL INSIGHTS
- Cold Weather Shelter: Opening Friday, January 24 at 7PM.
- A Ride to Change a Life: Discover how a Ride United client received a permanent transportation solution.
- Carol’s Friends & Neighbors Article: Don’t miss Carol’s latest insightful piece in Friends & Neighbors.
HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS
- Community Conversation: Join us for the next Community Conversation.
- Taxes Filed Free: Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is now accepting appointments.
- Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): Make a lasting difference with your charitable giving.
- Letter of Intent (LOI): Application open until February 5 at 5PM.
- United Way Holiday Project Recap: Relive the excitement of the Holiday Project.
- Students United: Catch up on the latest from our Students United group.
- Leaders United Year in Review: Explore what's been accomplished and how to get involved in this group of change-makers.
SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT
- Ride United: Your ticket to free transportation.
- Become a Monthly Donor: Learn how you can become GEMS and make a lasting impact as a monthly donor.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. .
Warm regards,
The United Way Martin County Team |
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| A cold weather shelter will open on Friday, January 24, at Gertrude Walden, located at 601 SE Lake Street, Stuart. Doors will open at 7 PM and remain open until 9 AM the following morning. For more information, please click the button below or contact Martin County Emergency Management at 772-287-1652. Stay warm and safe! |
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Transportation challenges can create overwhelming barriers for families in need, especially in areas where reliable options are limited. One of our Ride United clients, a hardworking father of one from Indiantown who juggles three jobs to support his family, faced this struggle daily. Without dependable transportation, he often spent nights sleeping at the library, waiting for a bus to get back home to his 2-year-old daughter the next morning.
When we learned of his situation, we knew we had to take action. After sharing his story at a recent event, Air Concepts USA stepped up in a big way—covering the cost of an electric bike to help him get home to his little girl. Today, he picked up the bike and gained not just reliable transportation but the chance to spend more precious time with his daughter.
Stories like this remind us how vital transportation is and the incredible impact our community can make. A huge thank you to Dina and the team at Air Concepts USA for turning this dream into reality. |
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Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, President & CEO at United Way of Martin County, contributes a monthly article to Friends & Neighbors Martin County, offering valuable insights into the perspective of a non-profit organization like United Way.
In her January article, Carol discusses the hussle and bussle of the holiday season, stating "One of the things that amazes me is the giving spirit in this community."
Read the full story by clicking the button below. |
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Join us for our next Community Conversation on Wednesday, February 26, from 11:30AM – 1PM at the Peter & Julie Cummings Library, where the new Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek will be sharing updates on his new role and Cleveland clinic will provide a brief presentation. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged in our community’s initiatives, register now by clicking the button below!
Sponsored by: Cleveland Clinic |
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Ready to tackle tax season? Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is now accepting appointments! This program offers FREE tax preparation services for Martin County residents with household incomes less than $67,000. Appointments are filling up quickly, so schedule your appointment TODAY by calling 772-283-4800.
For more information and what to bring with you, please click the button below. |
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| Qualified Charitable Distribution |
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| Are you 70 ½ or older with a traditional IRA? If so, you may be eligible to make a tax-free gift from your IRA called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)! In many cases, a QCD is 100% tax-free, and can potentially have a real impact on your taxes by allowing you to support United Way of Martin County without increasing your taxable income. Talk to your financial advisor to see if QCDs are right for you and make a lasting difference with your charitable giving. |
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United Way's Community Impact Grant application process is designed to support local programs that are working to address specific community needs in the areas of health, education, and financial security. For programs that have not received United Way funding in the previous funding cycle, the process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI).
The LOI is a brief overview of the organization's proposed program and its alignment with the United Way's community impact priorities. If the LOI is approved, the organization will be invited to submit a full grant application, which will include detailed information about the project, its budget, and its expected outcomes.
Click the button below to apply! Application closes on February 5 at 5PM. |
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| United Way Holiday Project |
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| It's the most wonderful time of the year… and YOU made it unforgettable! The United Way Holiday Project 2024 was filled with smiles, generosity, and a whole lot of magic. Together, we helped bring joy and hope to hundreds of families across Martin County! A HUGE thank you to our incredible sponsors—Wilmington Trust, Ashley Capital, Rubin & Rubin, STS Aviation Group, and Waste Management—as well as the 150+ collection sites, 350+ volunteers, and countless community groups who helped make this project a reality. From collecting and organizing donations to wrapping and delivering gifts, your hard work and generosity brought holiday magic to life for so many in our community. If you haven't already seen them, swipe through the Facebook album by clicking the button below to relive the moments of kindness, laughter and holiday cheer! |
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The 2024-2025 Students United group is off to an incredible start! So far, they’ve shopped for gifts during the United Way Holiday Project Shopping Spree, sorted toys to bring holiday cheer to local families, and toured Cleveland Clinic Martin North to learn more about healthcare in our community.
The journey has just begun, with exciting opportunities ahead to make a meaningful impact in Martin County. Stay tuned to see how these young leaders are inspring positive change and shaping the future! |
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In 2024, our Leaders United rolled up their sleeves and made a difference across Martin County. Together, we:
- Conducted several cleanups on local beaches and our adopted roadway (Georgia Ave) through Keep Martin Beautiful
- Sorted clothing for the Salvation Army Family Thrift Store
- Painted Hibiscus Children's Center to create a brighter space for kids
- Stamped out hunger with House of Hope by sorting food at the post office
- Handed out candy and spread cheer at the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast’s Trick or Treat Stroll
- Rang bells for the Salvation Army
- Guarded guitars at the iHeartRadio toy drive with United Way
- Supported Helping People Succeed at their Annual Ugly Sweater 5k
- Spread holiday joy by sorting toys for Toys for Tots and United Way
None of this would have been possible without our incredible volunteers—thank you for your time, energy, and heart!
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to do even more. From tackling local needs to supporting vital organizations, there are countless ways to get involved and give back.
Join us and be part of the impact—volunteer with Leaders United today by clicking the button below! |
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| Click on images too enlarge |
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Ride United offers complimentary, temporary Lyft rides to connect Martin County residents to education, employment, health care and other critical services. Those in need of transportation assistance should contact a participating agency to determine eligibility or schedule a ride.
Important Notes:
- Ride scheduling is available during operating business hours (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.). Early morning, evening and weekend rides are available upon pre-scheduled request.
- Drivers are not employed through United Way; they are local community members employed by Lyft.
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Join us in making a lasting impact in Martin County by being part of United Way's GEMS: Giving Every Month Society. Your monthly contribution provides a steady and reliable source of funding that enables us to address the ongoing needs of our community.
By committing to being GEMS, you provide us with:
- Predictability: Knowing we have consistent funding empowers us to commit to impactful programs and avoid funding gaps that can disrupt crucial services.
- Sustainability: Monthly donations sustain essential programs like after-school programs, job training, and access to healthcare, creating lasting positive change.
- Efficiency: Reduced administrative costs associated with one-time donations allow us to direct resources directly to community needs.
Help us change lives, one monthly donation at a time by clicking the button below and selecting "Recurring Donation (monthly)" as your frequency option. |
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| THANK YOU TO OUR IMPACT SPONSORS! |
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| REGISTRATION # CH1474 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY VISITING WWW.800HELPFLA.COM OR CALLING TOLL-FREE (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. |
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