United Way Urges Southcoast Residents to Live United

The United Way of Greater New Bedford kicks off its 2023 campaign next month with its Live United Week Sept. 11-15. It's a week of fundraising, fun activities and community service.

Victoria Grasela, the United Way's Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, joined me this week on Townsquare Sunday to explain what Live United Week is all about.

"Live United is that spirit of people getting together, and doing good in our community," she said. "Live United Week kicks off our annual campaign where we raise money to fund our many programs and help our community partners throughout the year. We just want to raise as much as we can, so we can give back as much as we can."

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Live United Week includes dress-down days at local businesses, dining at local restaurants that pledge contributions to the United Way, visits to supporting businesses by members of the United Way team, and Day of Caring, during which volunteers spend time painting, landscaping or cleaning at nonprofits in the community.

If you would like to volunteer on the Day of Caring, check out volunteersouthcoast.org. "Day of Caring is a great way to get your hands dirty and get out in the community to volunteer," Grasela said.

Your donation during Live United Week and any time will continue to fund important programs such as the Hunger Heroes Food Drive, transporting fresh produce into local neighborhoods through the United Way Mobile Markets, making available bundles of supplies for new babies and first-time moms, and placing children's books in local laundromats to keep kids busy reading while their parents are doing the laundry.

You can make a donation any time to the United Way by texting UWGNB to 243725.

The complete interview with the United Way's Victoria Grasela can be heard here: