The world is full of negative news and United Way of Wayne County would like to highlight the good that happens when our community pulls together. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the good happening in Wayne County, but United Way hopes it serves to remind us that there is always good. Our goal is to make it easier for us to see the good. To continue this effort, United Way of Wayne County asks that organizations continue to share what they are doing by emailing [email protected] or calling 919-735-3591. See below for today’s good deed report.

• Thanks to our compassionate community members, we have been able to collect 128 units of blood in Wayne County since March 23^rd. Each blood donation has the potential to save three lives so these donors have the potential to save 384 lives!
• Accucopy donated coloring sheets to WAGES and Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County.
• Summer Flowers is leading a volunteer team in creating headbands with buttons for hospital staff. This style of headband allows masks to be attached by the buttons and saves strain on the ears. They have completed 250 headbands and are continuing to create more. If you would like to donate material or buttons  please contact [email protected].
• Homefront Room Revival plans to create 350 headbands with buttons for hospital staff. If you have a sewing machine they can borrow or if you’d like to volunteer with them, please contact Kate Tinsley [email protected]
• Thank you Sherry Aycock, Linda Everhart, Martha Bryan and many other individuals for donating fabric.  You are part of the solution!
• Higher Calling feeds the community every 4^th Wednesday from 6:00-7:30 PM at 600 N. Madison Avenue in Goldsboro.
• Best Grove Missionary Baptist Church and Salvation Army partnered together to serve meals.
• Community Crisis Center provides carryout lunch Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:00-2:00 PM. Pantry food bags are available upon request. Those needing emergency assistance Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays should email [email protected] . They are located at 607 S. Slocumb Street in Goldsboro.
• WAGES continues to ensure Head Start/Early Head Start children are served nutritious meals, including home delivery of meals for families without transportation. They are also providing families with diapers and wipes. WAGES is assisting recently laid off workers with support in filing for unemployment benefits.
• Salvation Army will operate feeding sites for children during Wayne County Public School’s spring break April 13-17. The feeding sites will remain at their current locations. Thank you to the County and local restaurants for making this possible.
• Rebuilding Broken Places will close 4/10 and reopen as a feeding site 4/13. Parents must notify Rebuilding Broken Places by 5pm the day before if they wish to pick up a meal for their child. They can do so by emailing Fran Smith at [email protected].
• Thank you to all of the businesses and organizations who signed up to be “Park and Learn” Sponsors. Those organizations can be found here: https://www.unitedwayne.org/superheroes.

Opportunities to Do a Good Deed: 

• United Way of North Carolina activated the UWHELPSNC COVID-19 fund. This statewide fund will be distributed to local United Ways and will increase their capacity to meet basic needs. Please choose “UW of Wayne County” when you make your donation. The link to donate is:  https://app.mobilecause.com/form/On0MvA?vid=631to The link is also available at unitedwayne.org and on the United Way of Wayne County NC Facebook page.
• April 10 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM there will be a blood drive at the Farm Credit Farmer’s Market. Please wait in your car until it is your turn to donate. Blood collected at this drive, stays in our community.
• Rebuilding Broken Places is seeking volunteers to deliver meals. Please contact[email protected] to volunteer.
• Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to transport meals from restaurants to the distribution sites. Please contact [email protected] to volunteer.
• Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to assemble food boxes. Volunteers will work independently and be provided gloves. Please call 919-735-4811 to volunteer.
• Child care centers have an urgent need for scan thermometers. They CAN accept used scan thermometers. Please take donations to the bins in front of The Partnership for Children located at 800 N. William Street in Goldsboro. If you have a lead on in stock thermometers please call 919-735-3371.
• We are searching for a grocery store that will allow childcare centers to come shop before opening to the public. They are desperately low on whole milk and cannot remain open without it.
• Childcares are low on cleaning supplies. Monday-Friday there is a drop-box in front of the Partnership for Children. 800 N. William St Goldsboro.
• Share your story of how COVID-19 has impacted child care in your life with our policymakers:zerotothree.org/coronavirusstories.
• The Governor is asking for healthcare professionals who can volunteer to sign-up here: https://terms.ncem.org/TRS/
• 4-Day Movement is collecting canned vegetables and fruit, canned chili, canned ravioli and spaghetti, rice, bottled water, boxed milk and 15 or16 quart clear plastic boxes. These items are used in the their “Food with Favor Boxes”. Donations can be dropped off at Barnes Jewelers (502 B. Eastgate Drive Goldsboro) between 11:30AM-3:30PM Monday-Friday.
• You can donate a loaf of bread through Great Harvest Bread to be used to make sandwiches for school kids and others in need. Loafs are a flat $6 and can be purchased over the phone 919-288-2401 or online under the Breads section: http://goldsboronc.greatharvestbread.com/
• Wayne Pregnancy Center is seeking donations of baby supplies and formula in addition to full sized toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Please call 919-583-9330 Monday-Thursday 9-5 and Friday 9-12.
• Nonperishable food donations and personal hygiene items are continuing to be accepted by the Salvation Army located at 610 N. William St in Goldsboro during their hours of operation.
• Nonperishable food, Ziploc bags and disposable takeout containers are continuing to be accepted by the Community Soup Kitchen at 112 W. Oak Street during their hours of operation.
• 3HC needs sanitizing wipes, gloves and masks. Please contact [email protected] if you are able to donate.
• Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County is making weekly grab and go activity kits for their members. Donations of crayons, markers, pencils and notebooks are being accepted. Please call 919-735-2358 to arrange drop-off.

Community Partner Updates: 

• 2-1-1 is a reliable resource to connect residents to social services. It is also the number to call for assistance and resources related to the COVID-19 coronavirus. NC residents can text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive general information and updates about COVID-19.