Ellis County, TX (JUNE 22, 2021) – On Monday, June 21, 2021 the United Way of West Ellis County (UWWEC) partnered with the Greater Ennis United Way for the very first time to serve together for the 2021 United Way (UW) Day of Action. On and around this day, thousands of people in hundreds of communities worldwide volunteer through the United Way to build stronger, more equitable communities. United Way Day of Action is a snapshot of what United Way does all year long – create opportunities for individuals to improve lives through service, collaboration, and impact. This year’s Day of Action is centered around supporting adults 65 and older, keeping them involved in their communities and helping them stay in their own homes.
With this vision in mind, the United Way of West Ellis County and Greater Ennis United Way partnered with Meals on Wheels North Central Texas to provide activity health bags to the 325 residents they serve in Ellis county. The goal of this day was to show these residents that they are a valued part of our county and that the Ellis County community wants to help support their overall mental and physical health. Providing these activity health bags will encourage brain stimulation and continued health and sanitation. The activity health bags included Sudoku and crossword puzzles, word search books, decks of cards, crayons, pens and pencils as well as anti-bacterial wipes donated by HEB Waxahachie and individual hand sanitizers donated by Methodist Midlothian Medical Center.
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"This was an incredible Day of Action. After such an isolating year in 2020, it was important for us to get out and safely interact with these individuals on their own front steps and reiterate to them just how valued they are to our community,” says Jamie McNulty, Executive Director of United Way of West Ellis County. “We were truly grateful to be able to come together for the first time with the Greater Ennis United Way to serve individuals throughout all of Ellis County.”
United Way relies on the caring power and support of community volunteers and partners and works continuously to bring groups, organizations, and individuals together to make the greatest impact possible. The 2021 Day of Action is no exception. This day would not have been possible without the outpouring of generosity from the following:
- Meals on Wheels North Central Texas provided the opportunity in which United Way was able to support the needs of these individuals and their team helped distribute the activity health bags appropriately for each individual route.
- HEB Waxahachie donated sanitizing wipes and Lysol for each bag as well as sent a team of ten volunteers to take on routes and hand deliver the meals and bags to the residents.
- Methodist Midlothian Medical Center donated 325 individual hand sanitizers.
- The students at Elevate After School in Midlothian hand-made over 400 cards of encouragement to help put a smile on each senior's face when they opened their activity bag.
- First Baptist Church Midlothian Student Ministry took on the large task of sorting hundreds and hundreds of items and packing each activity health bag that was distributed.
- Countless volunteers from the community, UW Board of Directors, and local partners took time out of their day to deliver meals and the activity health bags to the residents at their homes.
Christine Hockin-Boyd, Executive Director for Meals on Wheels North Central Texas states, “What an honor to have our great friends from United Way of West Ellis County and Greater Ennis United Way teaming up together to serve and bring smiles to our senior adults throughout Ellis County. The Day of Action provided an opportunity for organizational leaders and board members to volunteer and experience first-hand the value that Meals on Wheels offers in providing healthy nutritious meals, a friendly visit, and safety check. It’s more than just a meal!”
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About United Way: The United Way of West Ellis County is an independent 501(c) 3 organization that has been serving local residents for over 70 years. Our mission of providing support to those in need focuses on education, financial stability and health programs. Collaborative work with local programs, business partners, and community leaders is what differentiates the United Way of West Ellis County. We cater to critical needs, while simultaneously building positive and long-lasting community change. For more information: (972) 723-7520 or visit www.uwwec.org. The United Way of West Ellis County is located at: 717 W. Main Street, Suite 4, Midlothian, TX 76065. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - @uwelliscounty