Day of Action Rallies 150 Volunteers to Increase Financial Stability

Photo of Day of Action volunteers from Modine wearing Live United shirts, standing in two rows and grinning with their hands in the air.

Jun. 21, 2018 (Racine, WI)—United Way of Racine County spurred more than 150 local volunteers into action to create impact throughout the community on June 21 for Day of Action. These volunteers joined a force of tens of thousands of global volunteers in fighting for health, education, and financial stability. This year, United Way and its volunteers focused on financial stability and created 500 financial literacy kits to distribute to local, elementary-aged children.

Each financial literacy kit contained a one-of-a-kind, hand-decorated save jar, the book “Shanti Saves Her Money,” notes to parents and children about saving, and information about financial resources offered by United Way and organizations around Racine County. These resources were selected to teach kids the early habit of saving they need to increase their chances of financial well-being, as well as to facilitate parent-child dialogue about good financial practices.

“The financial literacy kits created on Day of Action encourage parents and children to spend time reading together and talking about saving money – two activities that help prepare the children for success,” said Jessica Safransky Schacht, education initiatives director of United Way of Racine County.

“We’ve worked hard to advance financial stability in Racine County, and I’m so pleased to see the community come together in support of this goal,” said Rodney Prunty, president of United Way of Racine County. “Building a healthy savings is one of the best ways to ensure a strong financial future, and to offer that skill to 500 children—and their entire households—is inspiring to see.”

Several organizations united to support the fight for financial stability, providing sponsorships and hosting sites for more than 100 volunteers: Butter Buds, CNH Industrial, Educators Credit Union, Elizabeth Mission Group of First Evangelical Lutheran, InSinkErator, Johnson Financial, Modine Manufacturing, and Unico. In addition, nearly 50 community volunteers joined United Way at its Racine County office and at The Coffee House at Chestnut & Pine in Burlington to assemble kits.

“I think it’s exciting to have the opportunity to volunteer for an event like this, building the financial aid kits to help young people understand the importance of saving,” shared Lakesha Stevens, a CNH Industrial employee who volunteered throughout the event.

Day of Action is a snapshot of what United Way does all year long: mobilize people around solutions to build stronger communities. This financial literacy project is one small victory in the fight for the education, health and financial stability of every person in Racine County.