Explore the links on the left and articles below for past UCP news.
UCP of Huntsville establishes fund with Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County was recently selected to manage a fund for United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. According to Community Foundation Board Chairman Dr. James Gilbert, "We are honored to be of assistance to UCP in this way. We applaud their board of directors, chaired by Jo Layne Hall, for managing, with careful planning and financially sound stewardship, to set aside funds for a rainy day."
UCP Executive Director Cheryl Smith commented, “We are very pleased to be partnering with the Community Foundation to further secure our financial foundation. This partnership will strengthen UCP’s commitment to provide physical, occupational and speech therapies, as well as educational and family services, to North Alabama families affected by physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Lynne Berry, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, remarked, "UCP will receive several benefits from this investment with the Community Foundation. Funds that we manage for non-profits are listed on our printed materials and on our website and are mentioned in our presentations. Our management fees are very competitive and there will be educational and promotional opportunities to grow the fund. Most importantly, a fund increases the stability of a non-profit and strengthens the effectiveness of their strategic planning. By delegating the administrative tasks of managing endowed funds to the Community Foundation, non-profits are free to focus more energy on fundraising, developing donor relationships, and fulfilling their mission. We congratulate UCP on their business acumen and professionalism and look forward to working with them to increase this asset."
UCP newest Community Foundation partner
UCP of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. has formed a new partnership with the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County.
Link pens "What it Means to Climb a Tree"
Congratulations to Carey Link of Huntsville on her first published work of poetry, "What it Means to Climb a Tree," to be released Oct. 21. Pre-orders are now available at Finishing Line Press under New Releases and Forthcoming Titles.
"With a beautiful simplicity, Carey Link's poetic sequence about trees lets us see them anew, roots, bole, branches, foliage, and fruit, and the sixteen individual poems weave their imagery throughout, creating a musical seventeenth, the book as a unified whole. 'A labyrinth green / sways above me,' Link writes, and it is we who look up." ~ Kelly Cherry, The Retreats of Thought: Poems
UCP of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. awarded $17,470 grant from ECF of Boeing Alabama
Huntsville, AL – The Employee Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Alabama today announced that United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, Inc. has been granted $17,470.67 for needed therapy equipment, technology, and facility upgrades at the UCP Therapy Center.
“Funds will be used to replace the current flooring in the classroom to a laminate surface, which is more durable and hygienic. This will also allow children in walkers or wheelchairs the ability to move across the floor with ease,” UCP Occupational Therapist Janet Taylor explained. “A variety of swings will be installed throughout the UCP Therapy Center to allow children of all ability levels to receive needed sensory input in a fun and socially appropriate manner. Swinging is soothing to many children with autism or other sensory issues and enables them to engage in learning. Children who are not able to move otherwise because of involved physical disabilities will also gain the ability to move through use of the swings.”
“We are very excited about these improvements to UCP client services,” UCP Program Services Director Julie Carden added. “A variety of other sensory experiences will be added as well to enhance not only therapy sessions but also playgroups and summer camps for children of all ages and ability levels. The ECF Boeing of Alabama grant will also allow UCP to purchase a needed computer upgrade that is mandatory to comply with insurance billing changes in 2012.”
Thank you to the ECF of Boeing Alabama for this generous gift.
UCP awarded 2011-2012 Huntsville Hospital Community Health Initiative funding
Visit www.huntsvillehospital.org/about/communityhealthinitiative/ to read all about it!
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2011
United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. awarded $15,000 from non-profit fundraising company Op4G
Huntsville, AL – Op4G, Inc., a leader among member-based online panel technology companies, today announced that United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. has received a one-time cash award of $15,000 for successfully recruiting over 500 Members to support their organization through Op4G membership. UCP is one of only twelve non-profit organizations nationwide receiving such an award, and all awards totaled $190,000.
The Op4G (Opinions4Good) member panel is comprised of non-profit supporters nationwide who participate in market research activities to benefit their affiliated non-profit organization. Members have agreed to donate a minimum of 25 percent of the compensation they receive to one of over 300 Op4G Non-Profit Partners, including UCP.
“UCP of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. is a core partner of Op4G helping to provide a diverse panel of motivated consumer and business professionals who participate in market research activities,” said Chris Woodyard, Op4G Vice President of Non-Profits. “At the same time, UCP of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. is realizing a new, recurring revenue stream from the activities of their supporters. Op4G is thrilled to recognize ongoing efforts and support of UCP and looks forward to the continued success of the program.”
“In a weak economy, identifying new and innovative fundraising efforts has become increasingly important,” said UCP Development Director Tracy Cieniewicz. “We looked long and hard at the Op4G business and found it was an easy way to create a valuable synergy among our organization and our supporters. We are fortunate these efforts have resulted in monthly recurring contributions and, subsequently, Op4G’s generous award of $15,000.”
Cieniewicz added that the $15,000 award will have a significant impact on UCP programs and services.
“The award is unrestricted, which means we can use the money to pay for immediate needs that grants or other funding sources may not cover, like building repairs and maintenance, new therapeutic equipment, and scholarships for UCP summer campers,” Cieniewicz explained. “The possibilities are endless and exciting for the improvement of all UCP client and family services.”
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating two regional centers in Huntsville for individuals with cerebral palsy and those representing approximately 156 additional diagnoses. UCP serves clients, birth through adulthood, in Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties through direct health, education and technology programs and services.
For more information, contact UCP Development Director Tracy Cieniewicz at 256-859-4900 and tracyc@ucphuntsville.org. To learn more about all UCP programs and services, visit ucphuntsville.org.
Visit Op4G to learn how to earn money for yourself and UCP of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, Inc. by anonymously participating in internet-based market research through a safe and secure website at www.op4g.com/membership/join/UCPHTV1234.
Op4G is a member-based, online panel technology company. Op4G’s objective is to provide a strategic alignment among non-profits, client, and members benefiting each party with an exceptional opportunity to generate market research and provide significant, monthly recurring revenues to non-profits across the country.