Your Generosity in Action: How Community Came Together This Winter
This winter, something powerful happened across Pierce County.
Neighbors showed up for neighbors. Companies stepped beyond the workplace. Volunteers turned compassion into action.
And together, we made a measurable difference. Click here for our printable PDF.
Through our Martin Luther King Jr. Month of Service, United Way of Pierce County partnered with corporate and community volunteers to strengthen outreach efforts for our unhoused neighbors during the coldest months of the year. What resulted was more than a service project—it was a coordinated community response.
Meeting Urgent Needs with Dignity
More than 3,750 hygiene kits were assembled and distributed through Pierce County Homeless Outreach Teams.
These kits did more than provide basic supplies. They supported:
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Infection prevention
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Health and safety during winter conditions
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A renewed sense of dignity
Each kit also included handwritten notes—small but powerful reminders that someone cares.
The Power of Showing Up
Behind every kit was a volunteer.
More than 500 volunteer hours were mobilized—equivalent to over 12 weeks of full-time support added to outreach capacity.
And this wasn’t just about numbers:
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45+ new volunteers stepped into service
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70+ returning volunteers deepened their commitment
This kind of engagement builds something stronger than a single-day impact—it builds a reliable, connected community.
When Presence Becomes Impact
Sometimes, simply being there changes everything.
During the annual Point-in-Time Count, volunteers identified three individuals in medical distress and ensured immediate emergency response.
That moment is a powerful reminder:
Presence matters.
More Than a Service Day
This initiative brought together financial support and hands-on engagement in a way that expanded what was possible.
Volunteers stepped into new roles—assembling, sorting, and preparing materials that went directly into outreach channels. Many experienced firsthand what winter conditions mean for people living outside in Pierce County.
That proximity shifted perspectives.
It turned an issue into a human experience.
As United Way of Pierce County President & CEO Dona Ponepinto shared:
“What stood out most wasn’t just what was assembled, but who showed up… This is what community partnership looks like in action.”
A Community Effort
This work was made possible by incredible partners and supporters, including:
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Pierce County
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The Rhodes Center
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Harborstone Credit Union
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MultiCare
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Titus-Will
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Ryder
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Starbucks
Corporate partners didn’t just contribute resources—they brought their people, their time, and their commitment to making Pierce County stronger.
Moving Forward, Together
This wasn’t a one-time effort. It was a glimpse of what’s possible when a community aligns around a shared purpose.
Because of you:
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Outreach teams were better equipped
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Resources moved faster
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More people received the care and support they needed
And most importantly—people were seen.
Be Part of What’s Next
When you give, volunteer, or partner with United Way of Pierce County, you become part of this impact.
Together, we are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to survive—and thrive.
Get involved. Give. Volunteer. Partner. Contact Allison to get started!
Because when we show up—together—real change happens.