News
Oct. 16, 2025
Regardless of how you define the roots of poverty in any community, it tends to boil down to the issue of access – access to education, access to housing, access to jobs, access to food, access to healthcare, access to transportation.
All these issues on their own or together can set a person on a downward spiral in life.
And every year, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) works to help eliminate poverty in an equitable,…
October 10, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The 32nd annual John F. Hall Catawba County United Way Cross Country Invitational was held Wednesday at Southside Park in Newton with more than 280 runners representing 19 teams from across the region competing.
Along with providing an opportunity for local athletes to compete in a first-class meet, teams are required to give back to their communities through service projects.
The …
Oct. 3, 2024
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The Catawba County United Way (CCUW) recently completed the purchase of the local domestic violence shelter, formerly owned and ran by the Family Guidance Center (FGC) in Hickory.
In August of 2024, the FGC announced on its Facebook page that it was closing due to falling revenue. The agency had been in operation for 65 years at that point.
The CCUW is currently in the process of…
Sept. 26, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
In partnership with the Hickory Motor Speedway (HMS), the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) hosted its 4th annual Race United event on Sept. 13, during HMS’s championship night for their season.
Along with being a free night of racing and fireworks, it was also an opportunity for community outreach. There was a non-profit Resource Fair with more than 20 local agencies and a food drive…
Aug. 29, 2025
The Catawba County United Way’s annual John F. Hall Cross Country Invitational will be held on Oct. 8 at Southside Park in Newton.
Since 1993, this event has provided an opportunity for local athletes to compete in a first-class meet and learn about the value of giving back to their communities through service projects.
This year registration opens on Sept. 2 at Milesplit NC and closes on Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.
The password to…
Aug. 29, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
How do 449 and 6,292 and 120,000 relate?
For Catawba County, these are numbers that reflect housing instability in some way.
The Catawba County United Way (CCUW) recently received a $120,000 grant from the United Way of North Carolina.
These funds will be sub-granted back out by the CCUW to three local non-profits who will use the money to help families struggling with housing stability…
Aug. 28, 2025
The Catawba County United Way is excited to welcome Paw Tales Lodge & Day Spa in Hickory
(1575 25th Ave NE) to the CCUW’s Small Businesses Love Big initiative.
This is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to invest back into their communities by supporting local non-profit programs.
Each participating SBLB company contributes $365 a year, which will be used to fund this new Catawba…
Aug. 22, 2025
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
When is a pencil box more than a pencil box?
When you don’t have a pencil box.
According to 2025 data from the NC Department of Public Instruction, all three public school districts in Catawba County have more than 50% of their students classified as economically disadvantaged.
This means the start of a new school year adds greater stress to many local families already struggling…
July 30, 2025
The Catawba County United Way’s Small Businesses Love Big (SBLB) grant cycle opens on Aug. 15.
This United Way allocation process is focused on supporting local, small and start-up nonprofits and their programs.
The SBLB initiative is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to invest $365 a year towards helping fund local nonprofit outreach.
Criteria for Applying for a Grant:
Asking for a…
July 25, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
For some children a teddy bear is a toy, an object that brings them joy and comfort.
For those attending the Junior Warrior’s program at Malorie’s Place in Maiden, it is a tool to help them navigate trauma.
“When they’re feeling upset or anxious or depressed we told them to take their teddy bear and give it a big hug and start breathing in and out,” Malorie’s Place…