While most people are aware that MLK Day is a Federal holiday in the U.S. and have enjoyed a day off from school or work, what many don’t realize is that in 1994 Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Each January, people across the country “make it a day on, not a day off” by participating in service activities in their communities. Last year in Philadelphia, more than 70,000 volunteers served on…

“Token days are not the ebb and flow of life.  They ease our feelings of regret about the way things have to be for the remainder of the year.  They do not really change the way things are.”–Jonathan Kozol, “The Shame of the Nation”

Last Friday was Day of Caring, my 13th with United Way of King County.  I was among about 300 volunteers (there were over 10,500 total throughout the county) that spent the day at Qwest Field for the Community Resource Exchange.  In…

It’s finally here! United Way of King County’s 18th annual Day of Caring event is just around the corner and there are tons of ways to see and hear what the 10,000+ volunteers are up to on September 24th:

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Have you been thinking about donating to your local food bank? Well, your mail carrier is about to make it a lot easier. On May 8th, you can take part in Stamp Out Hunger, the nation’s largest single day food drive. Letter carriers in more than 10,000 communities will collect food items and deliver them to local food banks to help some of the millions of Americans, including an estimated 16.7 million children who face hunger every day.

Here’s how you can help:

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There are a lot of us exhibiting some pretty negative emotions these days towards our federal government, and as April 15th approaches a lot of that sentiment will inevitably turn towards our buddies at the Internal Revenue Service.  And let’s face it, some of those feelings are warranted, no doubt.

But I’d like to talk about an IRS program that many people may not even know about.  It’s one of the most successful community volunteer initiatives ever, in terms of return on investment (for you…

We are doing something new at United Way! For the last few years we’ve offered Lunch & Learns at your workplace. Now we’re also offering them at United Way’s downtown Seattle office.

Come and join us this Thursday, March 18 at 12:00 pm for the second Lunch & Learn at United Way, “Quality Child Care: What it is and how to find it.” The one-hour information is presented by Deeann Burtch Puffert, CEO of Child Care Resources. Puffert is an expert on all things child…

Get your taxes done for FREE!!

Now through April 15, 2010, United Way of King County will operate 17 free tax preparation sites throughout King County.  Tax assistance will be provided by over 550 volunteers who are trained and certified by the IRS.

Who is eligible for this service?

What services are available at tax sites?

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10 Powerful Reasons to “Give 10″

1. Your neighbors need your help! 98,630 people are out of work, compared to 45,480 a year ago, and there has been a 180 percent increase in the number of foreclosures.

2. Single-parent families, disabled veterans and other vulnerable people are having a hard time paying their mortgages and rent.

3. By joining together with 10 others in your circle of friends and family–and giving just $10 each, you can keep people from plunging into homelessness and…

Your ballot packet requires one first class stamp if returned through the mail. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3.

King County has ballot drop boxes throughout the county to provide voters with a way to securely return their ballots without the cost of postage.

Ballot drop boxes will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

Track your mail ballot packet online at: www.kingcounty.gov/elections. Happy voting!

Ballot box locations

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If you are a new voter to the State of Washington, you can register in person at the King County Elections Office up to eight days before the election. October 26 is the absolute last day you can register to vote in the November 3 general election.

The Elections Office is open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and is located at 9010 E. Marginal Way S. in Tukwila. Click here for directions.