Dear Friends:

April showers bring May flowers, and for us this is reflected in the work achieved in April and what it will bring for our future.

Our Spring Day of Caring completed over 20 projects across the City with 350 + volunteers. Three mayoral candidates helped kick-off the day by welcoming the volunteers and reinforcing the importance of civic and community engagement. Mark your calendars for our Fall Day of Caring which will take place on Friday, September 4. Be great to see all of you there in support of our work.

Our United Way Helpline, 2-1-1 Texas, has been busy helping folks around the Swine Flu outbreak, and planning with the State Operations Department for the upcoming hurricane season. In addition, you can read below about the ways in which our United Way Helpline supports the Texas Military Access Project and Summer Food Program—both of which provide help and comfort daily to our friends, neighbors, servicemen, women and families in Central Texas.

Thank you for your continued support of UWCA, its staff and volunteers, but most of all, thank you for Living United, and helping us provide opportunities for everyone to succeed in our community.

Take care,

Debbie Bresette
Interim President and CPO

Sometimes Doing Good
Just Means Knowing Where to Shop

Even in these unprecedented economic times, Central Texas businesses continue to demonstrate they have a big heart and know how to LIVE UNITED. During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, many of your favorite Central Texas businesses will donate at least 5% of their sales proceeds to United Way Capital Area.

Please show your support for these caring businesses and United Way Capital Area by shopping and dining at participating stores and restaurants on their participating dates. If you're out of town, you can always go ahead and donate $5 or more at our website. It's a small way to make a BIG impact in our community!

Give5 Memorial Day Weekend Schedule of Events (downloadable flyer and coupon book coming soon)

Shop at the following stores & restaurants from May 23-25th and they will donate a portion of their proceeds to United Way Capital Area!

34th Street Café - 1005 W. 34th Street (www.34thstreetcafe.com)
Dine at 34th Street Café during the entire weekend (May 23-25) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar (www.Applebees.com)
5010 W. Highway 290
6315 S. IH35 (William Cannon store)
7522 N. IH35 (I-35 & 183 store)
During Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25), guests presenting the Give5 flyer will be able to donate 10% of their food sales to UWCA. Additionally, guests will be offered the opportunity to add any amount over your total bill (+ the 10% proceeds) to be donated directly back to United Way!

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - All Austin locations (www.bn.com)
10000 Research Blvd. (Arboretum store)
5601 Brodie Lane Suite 300 (Sunset Valley Village)
701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy. (Westlake store)
12701 Hill Country Blvd. (Hill Country Galleria)
Present the Barnes & Noble Give5 voucher (click here to download)
at check-out and at least 10% of your total sale will be donated to United Way during the entire weekend (May 23-25th.) Additionally, look for the Women's Giving Network and Success by 6 book fair displays and purchase books from the wish list to be donated back to United Way's education programs.

Bennu Coffee - 2001 E. MLK Blvd. (www.bennucoffee.com)
Open 24hrs, stop by any time May 23-25 for coffee & a quick bite and 5% of the proceeds of your check will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Beyond Tradition - 221 W. 2nd. St. (www.beyondtraditionaustin.com)
Stop by this chic 2nd Street store any time during Memorial Day weekend, and 5% of the proceeds of your purchases will be donated to UWCA. Additionally, be sure to stop by on Monday, May 25th from 2-4pm for an exclusive event for Give5 attendees!

Blue Star Cafeteria - 4800 Burnet Rd. (www.bluestarcafeteria.com)
Dine at Blue Star Cafeteria during the entire weekend (May 23-25) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

House Wine - 408 Josephine Street (www.housewineaustin.com)
Give5 attendees enjoy an exclusive wine tasting on May 23rd from 6-8pm and shop all weekend for 5% of your proceeds to be donated back to United Way Capital Area. Additionally, mention Give5 and receive 50% off the Tuscan Olive Three Cheese spread with crackers during the entire weekend.

The Hub - 3815 Dry Creek Dr. (www.thehubaustin.com)
Dine at The Hub during the entire weekend (May 23-25) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Lilly Pulitzer - The Domain, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace (www.lillypulitzer.com)
Shop at Lilly Pulitzer May 23-25 and 5% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to UWCA. Additionally, customers receive a FREE GIFT with any purchase!

milk+honey Spa & SALON by milk+honey - 204 Colorado Street (www.milkandhoneyspa.com)
Mention Give5 when you make an appointment and 5% of your purchase will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

P. Terry's Burger Stand - 404 S. Lamar (www.pterrys.com)
Eat lunch or dinner at P. Terry's on Saturday, May 23rd. All of the profits from that day will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Paciugo Austin - 241 W. 2nd Street (www.paciugo.com)
Enjoy gelato any time of day during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) at Paciugo and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Sanctuary - 3663 Bee Caves Road, behind Breed & Co. (www.sanctuaryhomebathgarden.com)
Shop at Sanctuary May 23-25 and 5% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to UWCA.

Santa Rita Cantina - 26 Doors Shopping Center, 1206 W. 38th Street (www.santaritacantina.com)
Dine at Santa Rita Cantina during the entire weekend (May 23-25) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Tiff's Treats - www.cookiedelivery.com
Order your favorite cookies from Tiff's Treats during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25th) and 5% of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Touch of Sass - 500 N. Lamar, #170 (www.touchofsass.net)
Mention Give5 when you shop at Touch of Sass and 10% of your entire purchase from May 23-25th will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Viva Chocolato! - The Domain, 3401 Esperanza Crossing (www.vivachocolato.com)
Check out the selection of scrumptious chocolates at Viva Chocolato and 15% of your purchase during Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) will be donated back to UWCA. Additionally, receive a FREE $10 gift card with any purchase of $25 or more.

Give5 Special Events:

Saturday, May 23rd, Free Wine Tasting, 6-8pm, House Wine
An exclusive event for Give5 attendees…check out the latest specials and deals and also receive 50% off the Tuscan Olive Three Cheese spread with crackers.

May 23rd-25th, Book Fair - Barnes & Noble Booksellers (all Austin locations)
Use the voucher (click here to download) when you make a purchase and 10% of the proceeds from your purchase will go to United Way Capital Area. Additionally, shop from the Women's Giving Network and Success by 6 wish lists to donate books directly to United Way's education programs.

Tuesday, May 26th - Philanthropizza FUNdraiser, California Pizza Kitchen, The Domain - 3401 Esperanza Crossing
Serving creative pizzas, pastas and salads, California Pizza Kitchen invites you to join the fun at its Philanthropizza FUNdraiser, May 26th. Present the attached flyer (click here to download) when you dine at CPK on this date, and 20% of your check will be donated to United Way Capital Area.

Thursday, May 28th, 6-9pm - Pluckers Wing Bar/KGSR Party with a Purpose - 3909 S. Lamar
Join Pluckers and KGSR for one crazy fun party, with live music by Marshall Ford Swing Band, drink specials and 20% of food sales donated to United Way Capital Area. Be sure to mention UWCA when you attend this party with a purpose!

Click here for more information.

United Way & a Gateway to Care

Every day The United Way Helpline supports the Texas Military Access Project by providing veterans, active duty military and their respective family members a Gateway to Care, with information and referrals to available health and human services and resources.

Using the free 2-1-1 Texas/United Way Helpline is easy, and provides our servicemen and women and their families with a single entry point to get any help they need.

This assistance is taken a step further through a new partnership that has been established with United Way in San Antonio. This collaboration allows the United Way Helpline to transfer calls from vets, active duty, or family members of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to a specialized unit with the San Antonio United Way for Information & Referral (I&R).

These I&R specialists are vets themselves or family members of vets, and provide a comprehensive review of each situation and follow up with all callers.

Another added benefit is that services members who are overseas can chat online with the I&R specialists (http://www.military211help.org/Pages/Chat%20Line.html). They receive an email with all the resources they were given, and the calls and e-chats are confidential. This service will be added to soon, with the ability to access services using texting..

350 volunteers working on 21 projects around town = a lot of community help and impact.

The day started with breakfast tacos, photo ops, live music from Mix 94.7, and messages from the dynamic mayoral candidates Brewster McCracken, Carole Keeton-Strayhorn and Lee Leffingwell's campaign managers, who highlighted the tangible contribution that volunteering and community service makes to changing and improving the Austin community.

Carole Keeton-Strayhorn & Debbie Bresette

The volunteers, who totaled over 350, including hundreds from 18 companies, tackled meaningful volunteer projects at 21 local nonprofit organizations throughout Austin. Their impact at the end of the day was nothing less than impressive. Volunteers put in an estimated dollar value of $36,400 of volunteer hours in the Austin community in one day!

Lee Leffingwell's campaign managers

Brewster McCracken chats with Diana Santos and Debbie Bresette

Thanks to our signature sponsor Freescale Semiconductor and supporting sponsors: HEB, Coca-Cola & City of Austin Neighborhood Housing & Community Development.

Every year the United Way Helpline helps hundreds of students and their families use the Summer Food Program.

The Summer Food Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and run by the Texas Department of Agriculture. During the summer, students who normally receive free or reduced lunch are able to go to select sites to have a free breakfast and lunch. In some cases, parents can participate for a small fee, and depending on individual situations, younger, non-school aged children can also get a meal.

As there are approximately 200 sites in our 10 country area where this program is offered, to find the location nearest to your home (as not all sites are relative to where your child attends school), call 2-1-1.

You asked for it; now it's here. Show your support and buy a Live United t-shirt online at our website. For a $20 donation, you can have your own Live United t-shirt. They are available now in 5 sizes.

The donation, after covering the cost of the materials and shipping, will be used to help support United Way Capital Area's programs.

Young Hispanic Professional Austin Association