How does a mother safeguard her son’s life with no savings or insurance?
Health care options are limited for people who are uninsured or under-insured. That’s why United Way launched the Contact to Care pilot project in 2017. In less than a year, more than 360 individuals have been referred to support organization, and 76 have gained insurance and a medical home. It’s one of four new programs connecting United Way to the community.
But for a mom without income like Sarah, the number one benefit was immediate:
- Watch the video “Access to Health Care – Meet Sarah”
Contact to Care offers a support system beyond treatment and insurance. United Way community health workers help clients overcome language and transportation barriers and access food banks and health information. The results have been fewer emergency room visits for general health needs and improved care for clients.
Campaign Incentives
Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health’s 2018 United Way campaign, with the theme is “United with our Community,” kicked off on Monday, Sept. 17 and runs through Friday Oct. 26.
- Penn State Health employees can make a pledge or donation at inspired2give.org.
- College of Medicine employees can donate through the 2018 Green Pledge Cards.
In addition to health care, United Way supports basic needs, school readiness and workforce development.
Dr. Craig Hillemeier, dean, CEO and senior vice president for health affairs, is chair of the 2018 Live United™ campaign. He and the Nittany Lion show off the top prize of the United Way of the Capital Region’s raffle, a 2019 Chevrolet Trax.
Employees who donate a minimum of $182 to the 2018 campaign and fill out an eligibility card will be entered to win the SUV or one of four other prizes:
- $2,000 Wolf Furniture gift card
- $1,500 AAA Travel giveaway
- $1,500 in groceries from Giant Food Stores
- $1,000 Visa gift card from HealthSouth
Employees are also eligible for the following incentives from Penn State Health/Penn State College of Medicine:
- Preferred parking on campus
- Hershey Medical Center suite at Giant Center
- Hershey Bears Hockey tickets
- Hersheypark tickets for 2019 season
- Spooky Nook Sports VIP pass
- York Revolution baseball tickets
The fundraising goal is $375,000 toward the United Way of the Capital Region’s overall campaign goal of $10,040,011. Employees can designate their gift or pledge to a nonprofit organization of their choice or to the United Way general fund. For more information on local United Way programs, visit UnitedWayoftheCapitalRegion.
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