This year marks the 125th anniversary of the United Way and, in a floor statement (see video) honoring the occasion, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) notes that the “success and strength” of the partnership “between the United Way and America’s workers cannot be overstated.”   

Since 1947, the AFL-CIO and the United Way have helped families and communties recover from natural disasters--and more recently from the disastrous effects of the great recession. We continue to work together to provide services where they’re needed and when they’re needed.

In this new video, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka urges people to “give, advocate and volunteer with your local United Way.”

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO partnered with the United Way of Erie County last week to host an unemployment resources fair for jobless workers as part of Project Back on Track, a new program intended to help the unemployed. Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Richard Bloomingdale says several more resource fairs are planned around the state.

The kids got to romp through Munson Park in Monroe, Mich., hunting for Easter eggs—and families in need of food aid received a helping hand, too, thanks to a partnership of unions and community groups.

The Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO and the United Way of Central Ohio Community Services Department have named Penn National Gaming to receive their Community Service Award. The award, which honors a community volunteer whose leadership and involvement have made a significant contribution to the community, was presented March 22 as part of the labor council’s annual George Meany Awards Banquet, the largest labor recognition of its kind.

The Indiana State AFL-CIO and United Way have established a disaster relief fund to aid the victims of the deadly tornadoes that ravaged southern Indiana. You can click here to donate online via credit card or send a check to: Indiana Union/UW Disaster Response; Indiana Association of United Ways; 3901 N. Meridian #306; Indianapolis, IN 46208-4026.

In southern Indiana and other areas where a series of powerful and deadly tornadoes stuck late last week, union members are mobilizing to bring help to union families and others.

William “Bill” McCarthy, president of the AFL-CIO Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (MRLF), is recipient of the 2012 United Way’s prestigious Joseph A. Beirne Community Services Award. As president of the MRLF and member of UNITEHERE! Local 17, McCarthy has dedicated his life to the pursuit of social and economic justice for workers and their families.

In a letter to local United Way chapters across the country, Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way World Wide, urges the local offices to join with local labor councils and state federations as they mobilize for the AFL-CIO’s America Wants to Work campaign.

Judy Parkins, AFL-CIO director of Community Services, sends us this report.

The North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council and United Way in South Bend are giving community members the opportunity to Adopt a Family and heat a home. Dawn Chapla, AFL-CIO Community Services liaison, wrote the grant that will match donated dollars for heating, provide free budget counseling and provide a case coordinator to develop and work on a plan of action.