Wednesday, May 19, 2010

United Way of Central Alabama - Service Opportunity

Good Morning,

Thank you to everyone who has had an opportunity to register to serve as a 2010 United Way Visiting Allocation Team (VAT) volunteer. To date, we have 162 of the 600 volunteers needed by August 20th. If you haven’t registered, please click the link below and take a few minutes to complete the registration form.

http://www.uwca.org/RegisterVAT/index.htm

We look forward to working with each of you this Fall. Please continue to support our recruitment efforts by placing the aforementioned link on your Facebook page and/or emailing the information below to others who may be interested.

Sonya King
Vice President, Agency Impact

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UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ALABAMA - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Each year over 600 community volunteers participate in the United Way of Central Alabama’s annual Allocations Process as Visiting Allocation Team (VAT) volunteers. Through this citizen review process, United Way campaign dollars are distributed to partner agencies and initiatives throughout the United Way service area. Ideal volunteers should have a strong desire to make an impact in our community and the flexibility to attend a few week day meetings this Fall.

To register and/or obtain additional details, please visit www.uwca.org. The website provides a full description of the roles and responsibilities of a VAT volunteer, the 2010 Allocation time line, a downloadable recruitment flyer, and our on-line registration form. If additional assistance is needed, please contact Sonya King at 205-458-2063 or via email at vat@uwca.org.

Registration Deadline: August 20, 2010

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Foundation Endowment earns more than $2 million dollars

News Release for Immediate Use
Walker Area Community Foundation
Jasper (Walker County), AL – USA

Foundation Endowment earns more than $2 million dollars
The news is great on the performance of the Foundation’s endowment. At the most recent meeting of the Walker Area Community Foundation the Board of Directors learned from Canterbury Trust Company, that the Foundation’s portfolio has exceeded the benchmarks and performed in the top of its class. The Foundation has earned 27% in the calendar year ending 2009. We started the year at $8,902,413 and ended the year at $ 10,909,980. According to John T. Oliver, Jr., President of the Foundation, “The Community Foundation has weathered the worst economic recession since the 1930’s and has emerged as a strong and vibrant foundation and public charity”.

The investments are strong and the Foundation is healthy and growing. Community contributions have been strong through the economic recession and the basic needs of many of the nonprofits providing essential services have been met by grants from the Foundation’s Community Fund. The Foundation closed out the year with $465,970 of grant monies invested in 63 programs to benefit the people of Walker County and the surrounding area.

The Board is also elated to report that the interior of the Bankhead House & Heritage Center at 800 West Seventh Street is complete. They are especially proud that no money from the endowment (the grant making portion of the Foundation) was used for the restoration. The Board thanked Mr. Oliver for his exceptional service raising private funds to complete this project outside of the normal work and apart from the budget of the Foundation. The $1,050,000 investment in downtown Jasper is a landmark for the Community Foundation as we now have a permanent home for the Heritage, Arts, and nonprofit business of Walker County.

The exterior of the Heritage Center is on track for completion in 2010.

To learn more about the exceptional work of the Community Foundation join with us on May 7, 2010 for our Annual Luncheon. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased by calling (205)302-0001. Congressman Robert Aderholt is the keynote speaker.
# # #
Paul W. Kennedy
Walker Area Community Foundation, Bankhead House & Heritage Center
800 Seventh Street West, Jasper, AL 35501, (205) 302-0001 o, (205) 300-4062 m
pkennedy@wacf.org, www.wacf.org

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

(ADECA) Toolbox for Successful Grants workshop

Anyone interested in grantwriting needs to attend this workshop.
Paul Kennedy

On Tuesday, June 15, 2010, the CEDS Committee will host the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Toolbox for Successful Grants workshop from 8:30am-12:30pm. Please save the date and spread the word to your respective communities that registration will open up in early May.


Thank you,

Yvonne Murray
Economic Development Specialist
Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
1731 1st Avenue North, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Main: (205) 251-8139
Direct: (205) 264-8428
Fax: (205) 264-8480
Http://www.rpcgb.org/RPCED

Thursday, March 25, 2010

"Export 101 - How to Achieve Global Success"

"Export 101 - How to Achieve Global Success"
sponsored by the Interstate 22 Alliance (representing Fayette, Franklin, Marion, Lamar, Walker and Winston Counties) in cooperation with Bevill State Community College and the Alabama Development Office Trade Division. This 1 hour workshop is being presented on March 31, 2010 at 1 p.m. at BSCC in Jasper (see attached flyer for details).
Please help disseminate this message and attached flyer to as many businesses, industries and individuals as possible so that we might facilitate learning and expanding of business into new markets and in turn grow jobs in northwest Alabama.

http://www.interstate22alliance.com

Alabama Strengthening Communities Project

The Walker County Non-Profit Council has been selected to participate in the Alabama Strengthening Communities Project!!!! This group includes those that submitted applications:

The Arc of Walker County (lead applicant)
Capstone Rural Health Center
Celebrate Recovery
Concerned Citizens for Our Youth (Beacon House)
Durrs-Christ Connection
Equines Assisting Special Individuals (EASI)
Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama
Greater Jasper Area Ministerial Association (GJAMA)
Jasper Area Family Services Center
Literacy Council – Walker County Chapter
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Walker County
Walker Area Community Foundation
Walker County Children’s Policy Council
Walker County Human Society

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

$1 Million to Start Regional Loan Fund For Energy-Saving Measures

ADECA
February 3, 2010

Riley Awards $1 Million to Start Regional Loan Fund For Energy-Saving Measures

MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded a $1 million economic stimulus grant to help businesses and governments in five central Alabama counties make upgrades that save energy and cut utility costs.

The grant, awarded to the St. Clair County Commission, will start the Regional Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund for Bibb, Blount, Chilton, St. Clair and Walker counties. Low-interest loans made through the fund will help local governments and businesses finance energy-saving improvements to their facilities. Utility-bill savings can then be used to repay the loan.

“Increasing the energy efficiency of our buildings is a good investment for taxpayers, Alabama businesses and the environment,” Riley said. “The projects made possible by this cooperative financing effort will pay huge dividends for many years to come.”

Projects eligible for loans include purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment, windows and doors; installation and use of renewable energy technologies; and projects that reduce environmental waste.

St. Clair County officials estimate that 10-20 loans will be made from the initial funding with more financing available as loans are repaid. The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham will administer the loan fund.

Riley awarded the grant as part of $9.6 million in grants to be awarded under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The program helps governments and nonprofit groups improve the energy efficiency of buildings and vehicles, reduce fossil fuel emissions and create or retain jobs.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the award from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

St. Clair County is serving as the chief fiscal agent for the grant. Riley notified Stan Batemon, chairman of the St. Clair County Commission, that the grant had been approved.

Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers
For more information, visit: http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/

Tuesday, March 23, 2010