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COVID-19 Vaccination Updated 03.22.2021

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the locations for the Alabama National Guard’s (ALNG) mobile vaccination clinics across 24 rural counties. As part of Governor Ivey’s activation of the ALNG to support the state’s COVID-19 response, beginning March 23, the mobile vaccination teams will rotate through the designated counties.

United Way of Southwest Alabama distributes 238,500 masks to Mobile County Public Schools students, employees

United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) is making sure every Mobile County Public Schools student in grades four and above as well as every teacher and staff member receives reusable cloth facemasks to protect them against COVID-19.

By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”  ― Mother Teresa

Service to others is a key tenet of every successful community. Whether this means making a financial contribution to a local non-profit like United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA), volunteering to feed the hungry through The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, donating clothing to Catholic Social Services or serving as a community mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama; this servant leadership is as critical to your success as it is to those you will serve. It enriches the lives of individuals across our community, builds better organizations, stronger businesses, and helps maintain a vibrant economy. Ultimately, it creates a more just and caring world for everyone – this is our safety net.

Austal USA hosted its 10th Annual Charity Golf Invitational on Friday, March 12, 2021. Austal USA raised $286,687 and donated the proceeds to the United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) to help provide grant funding to 46 partner agencies and 11 UWSWA internal programs. Since the tournament’s inception, Austal USA has donated over $3 million to UWSWA. 

By Trista Stout-Walker, UWSWA Vice President of Community Impact

Society leads us to believe that we need the newest and best technology, cars, homes, clothing, etc. To many in Southwest Alabama this is not a reality. Individuals and families are living paycheck to paycheck, just to cover life’s basic needs. At times, this may not be a living wage. United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA), our 46 partners, and community coalitions are here to help. We collectively align to form the community’s safety net. 

As part of the United Way of Southwest Alabama’s community outreach and fundraising activities, we traditionally visit regularly commercial and industrial work sites. When we have these opportunities, we want to be safe and follow all the common safety protocols required.

In anticipation of being able to resume meeting face-to-face in mid-to-late 2021, we have scheduled a special free OSHA 10 training. The OSHA 10 training is available to UWSWA staff and partner agencies’ staff. The two-day training is on Monday, March 29 from 8:30AM to 1PM and Tuesday, March 30 from 8:30AM to 1PM. Both days are required for attendees to successfully complete the training. The UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 119 will do the training at their union hall at 2458 Old Shell Road, Mobile 36607. They are donating the instructor’s time and all the program costs. Upon completion, each attendee will receive a DOC OSHA 10 card that is does not expire.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register, email Leslie Schraeder at lschraeder@uwswa.org or call 251.431.0101 by March 12, 2021.

The United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) welcomed Matthew Moreno as a Spring 2021 intern. Matthew attends Spring Hill College, majoring in Communications and plays on the Spring Hill Varsity soccer team.

When asked what the best way to improve the community Matthew replied, “Something that I have learned from being a captain of the Men’s Soccer team here at Spring Hill is that you must put the team first before yourself. Just like in sports, I believe life and community works the same way. If there is a sense of chemistry built in a community then no harm would be tough enough to destroy that bond that keeps the people together”.

By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development

What does it mean to Live United? Often times, the reality is it is much more complex than the phrase. It means that you agree to live for something larger than yourself. It means that you stand for what is right and just. It means that you believe that everyone deserves the same opportunity to have an equitable seat at the table. And, when you are choosing to Live United, it means that you invest in bringing those realities to life. It takes all walks of life, their perspectives and experiences to make up our community. What defines this community is deeply rooted in the values of what make us proud to call Southwest Alabama home. Loving thy neighbor is a tenant that has been engrained in our children since birth. And those children have grown up to be adults who now have an even greater ability to impact our community – for the better – by changing lives and saving lives through their investment in Southwest Alabama. We have professional business leaders, community leaders, those who lead in critical areas of public service, commerce & industry, education, finance and the healthcare field. We have those who advocate for more jobs, those who advocate for the protection of our natural resources, and those who fight every day to ensure equitable access to health and human services. And all of those people have one thing in common – they choose to Live United. 

Mass vaccination event coming to Mobile County  – 02.02.21

MOBILE – As part of a statewide effort to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama, mass vaccination clinics will take place in each of the state’s public health districts next week. There is no cost to receive a vaccine, but everyone vaccinated must be in an eligible group, wear a mask and bring valid identification.

Mobile County is among the eight locations selected by the Alabama Department of Public Health to be a part of the initiative. This includes several hospitals in Mobile: Ascension Providence, Mobile Infirmary, USA Health and Springhill Medical. Dates, times, locations and other details about the sites are available by clicking on https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/mass-clinics.html.