Thank you for joining us on 518 Day!
Together we completed more than 50 service projects, collected over 1,500 essential baby items from community donations and 5,000 pounds of baby food from Beech-Nut,
delivered 518 meals from Feed Albany and Cookie Therapy ALB to frontline employees at Albany Med and supported local COVID-19 response to help our neighbors who are facing challenges right now.
Although we cannot be physically together to volunteer across the Capital Region, there is still a tremendous impact that can be made virtually, and WE NEED YOUR HELP!
United Way GCR is taking appropriate precautions related to COVID-19 as the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and partners is always our top priority.
Get ready for the day by following us on social media!
Tag us in your posts using @UnitedWay_GCR and #518Day
The first 250 people to sign-up for a volunteer opportunity or virtual event will receive a free 5.18 Day t-shirt!
Your Virtual Itinerary
11:00 A.M. Virtual Opening Remarks
- Peter Gannon, President and CEO, United Way of the Greater Capital Region
- Carm Basile, CEO, CDTA and Board Chair, United Way of the Greater Capital Region
- Rabbi Matthew Cutler, Congregation Gates of Heaven, Board Member, United Way of the Greater Capital Region
11:15 A.M. Virtual 5k Walk/Run Kick-off
Join us for the first ever 5.18 Day Virtual 5K Walk/Run! A virtual 5K (3.1 miles) can be completed at your own pace, on your own time. It doesn’t matter how fast you go; it’s about stepping up and working together to support our community. The virtual 5K can be completed where you feel most comfortable while maintaining necessary social distancing; including your neighborhood, park, treadmill or wherever you enjoy! Complete the 5K any time between Saturday, May 16 and Monday, May 18 at midnight.
Registration is a $25 donation to United Way of the Greater Capital Region. All funds raised will benefit the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which is rapidly deploying resources to 501c3 organizations on the frontlines providing essential services across the Capital Region. Learn more about the Fund here.
Learn More and Register:
Download your Bib
Challenge your friends
Email 518Day@Unitedwaygcr.org with any questions.
12:00 P.M. – 11:59 P.M. Select a volunteer opportunity
MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
WOMEN UNITED’S COMMUNITY-WIDE BABY SHOWER DRIVE
Women United is a group of energetic, passionate and philanthropic women empowered by United Way of the Greater Capital Region to make a true impact in our community. Women in our community are mobilizing change by investing in, advocating for, and creating programs that positively impact women and children.
There is a significant need for essential baby supplies for families across the Capital Region. Women United and the UWGCR team are collecting donations to be distributed to local agencies including Mechanicville Area Community Services Center, Unity House, Trinity Alliance, Schenectady Community Action Program, Schoharie County Community Action Program, Mom Starts Here and Baby Institute.
HELP US STUFF THE CDTA BUS
Help us STUFF THE BUS by dropping items to the CDTA bus located:
Outside of outside Dave & Buster's at Crossgates Mall
- Saturday, May 16th & Sunday, May 17th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, May 18th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SUNY Empire State College, 111 West Ave., Saratoga Springs
- Monday, May 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also use our Amazon Wishlist and have items shipped directly to United Way of the Greater Capital Region, 1 United Way, Albany, NY 12205.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Roz Cardish, Director of Strategic Engagement & Partnerships, at 518.795.7788.
WHY WE SUPPORT YOUNG FAMILIES:
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It costs a family about $1,000 a year to buy a supply of average-priced diapers for one child. That is a huge expense for someone who works a full-time minimum-wage job, making just over $15,000 a year.
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Diapers are not considered essential and therefore not covered by federal assistance programs.
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About 30% of mothers report not being able to afford diapers and one in 12 admit to stretching their diaper supply
SIDEWALK CHALK MURAL COMPETITION
All ages and abilities are invited to participate in the 518 Day Sidewalk Chalk Mural Contest. Get your creative juices flowing and choose your own theme, make sure to include the three elements below. Judging is based on originality and incorporated design elements. There are three artist categories and four prizes up for grabs. Artwork can begin as early as Saturday, May 16th and must be complete and submitted by 1 p.m. on Monday, May 18.
Local judges will announce a winner from each category at 5:30 p.m. on Facebook live, May 18th. Grand Prize Winner will have their image featured on a limited edition LIVE UNITED shirt. Voting for the grand prize mural will begin Tuesday, May 19th and close Thursday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. with the winner announced LIVE on Facebook Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.
CATEGORIES
- Young Artists through age 10
All skill levels
- Novice 10+
All skill levels
- Elite 10+
Intermediate to advanced skill levels
INCORPORATED DESIGN ELEMENTS:
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#518Day
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Rainbow
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Capital Region flair
Show us what you think makes our Capital Region unique. Examples: tulips, skylines, farmers market, racehorse, hiking trail, local shops, etc.
Learn More and Register:
We’re excited to see you transform the concrete beneath your feet into vibrant works of art!
10:00 A.M. Yoga with RooT3D
Root3d is a wellness studio located in the South End of Albany. They work to decolonize, demystify, and destigmatize wellness and to hold space for you to root within your 3 dimensions: the mind, body, and spirit.
Join Jammella Anderson for an uplifting yoga session to start your day.
Registration is a $10 donation to United Way of the Greater Capital Region. All funds raised will benefit the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which is rapidly deploying resources to 501c3 organizations on the frontlines providing essential services across the Capital Region. Learn more about the Fund here.
12:00 p.m. Live Stream with Soul Fire Farm: Basics of Container Gardening and Urban Farming
Are you ready to grow your own food for self-sufficiency and community resilience? Whether you have a windowsill, fire escape, or backyard, it is possible to grow fresh and nourishing vegetables. Join Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm to learn the basics of container gardening and urban farming.
Tune in to our Facebook Page for this live session on Monday May 18th from 12:00-12:30 p.m.
1:00 P.M. WOMEN UNITED INFORMATION SESSION
Interested in learning about United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s affinity group Women United?
Join United Way’s staff lead Roz Cardish and some of our Women United members on Monday, May 18th at 1PM for a Zoom information session. Learn all about our membership options, the mission of Women United, and the exciting, impactful work the group has accomplished to date.
We hope you feel inspired to join the movement as Women United continues to create positive change for the women and children in our local communities. Learn more about Women United
2:00 P.M. HAVE YOU MET ALICE?
Do you know ALICE? You most likely know someone who is Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, however you might not know how difficult it is to get by when one unexpected expense could push your family into poverty.
In 2017 United Ways across the state began offering the ALICE simulation for interested communities. The purpose of this simulation is meant to show just how easy it is to be pushed into poverty, and how hard it is to support a household when the cost of living is going up, yet wages are not. Comprised of a structured “game” (similar to monopoly), and an educational debrief, this simulation will show how one extra bill, one unexpected cost, or one unforeseen circumstance could lead a household to poverty.
Learn more by participating in our Virtual simulation on 5.18 Day at 2:00pm.
Interested? Please respond to this need to track your volunteer hours.
4:00 P.M. 518 SWEATS with Metabolic fitness
Metabolic Fitness is bringing the gym to you with an intense 45-minute online workout. Metabolic Fitness is built for all fitness levels and incorporates “strength training at a pace” that will build muscle, burn fat and improve your cardiovascular conditioning.
Grab some water and get moving!
Registration is a $10 donation to United Way of the Greater Capital Region. All funds raised will benefit the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which is rapidly deploying resources to 501c3 organizations on the frontlines providing essential services across the Capital Region. Learn more about the Fund here.
After you register online, you will be emailed with instructions.
6:00 P.M. LIVE PERFORMANCE BY RILEY WILLIAMS Acoustics
She first joined us at our 2019 Women United Perfect Pitch event with live acoustics, Riley Williams will now be joining us on our Virtual 5.18 Day playing some of your favorite hits. Tune in as you wind down on the day and prepare for the night. Share the link with your friends and family so they can jam along too!
tune in at 6:00 PM on May 18th:
7:00 P.M. TRIVIA WITH TRIVIA NIGHTS LIVE
Put your thinking cap on Capital Region, Trivia Nights Live is coming to 5.18 Day. Join us at 7 p.m. for a virtual game of Trivia hosted by Kevin Baker and his team.
For social distancing trivia teams, you can still gather virtually, through FaceTime, conference calls, Zoom, WebEx or any video conference platform of your choosing. This is a fun way to connect with friends and family you haven't been able to see who love a little competition.
Since this is a virtual game, we will be using the honor system. We ask you be fair to the other players and use only your brain and your team’s brain. Please do not look up the answers.
Registration is a $10 per player doantion to United Way of the Greater Capital Region. All funds raised will benefit the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which is rapidly deploying resources to 501c3 organizations on the frontlines providing essential services across the Capital Region. Learn more about the Fund here.
After you register online, you will be emailed with instructions on how your team can join in the game.
Share your trivia set-ups by tagging us!
@UnitedWay_GCR and @TriviaNightsLive in your posts and use #518Day #TNL
Questions?
For questions or more information on how to get involved as an individual, team or company email 518Day@unitedwaygcr.org
THANK YOU TO OUR #518DAY SPONSORS
