HOW DOES THE FESTIVAL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY?
All proceeds from the festival directly benefit United Way of South Mississippi, which seeks to improve the health, education and financial stability of all people in Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River and Stone counties. Your United Way accomplishes its mission by awarding grants and operating programs that help meet critical community needs.
In the 2021-2023 grant cycle, UWSM awarded $430,000 in community impact grants to 12 area nonprofits, which help fund programs like Project Learn at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, Early Childhood Programs at Hancock Human Resource Agency and the Children’s Program at the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UWSM has awarded over $438,000 to our community partners for rapid response to those affected by COVID-19 for housing assistance, utilities assistance, food, medications, PPE and basic needs.
We operate PreK4Ward, which offers free preschool to 140 children; savings programs, including the SingleCare prescription discount card and free tax preparation services; Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which delivers one book each month to children from birth to age 5; United Way Readers, which pairs adult volunteers with children to provide reading practice; and the Little Free Library program, which promotes neighborhood book exchanges through free public bookcases.
We also lead the Fill the Bus school supply drive, MLK, Jr. Day of Action diaper drive and a coat drive.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Easy…paddles up! Register you and your team members for this unique team-building experience. Sponsorship opportunities are listed at the above link, and there are also numerous volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in providing volunteers, please contact Kellee Caldwell.
Also, you’ll receive a $100 discount if you bring a team to sign up!
IMPORTANT DATES
The final day to register a team will be Friday, March 31, 2023 by 5 p.m.
To receive the full benefits of your sponsorship, including a $100 participant sponsorship discount, please register no later than Friday, February 24, 2023 by 5 p.m.
All other payments are due to United Way of South Mississippi on Friday, March 31, 2023 by 5 p.m.
