Member News- September 2, 2020
Going Gold 2020 Virtual Kick-Off Event Scheduled for September 2nd
Area businesses and volunteers are teaming up for the sixth year of Going Gold, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about pediatric cancer and funds to help local families battling the disease. This year, Going Gold events and fundraisers will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will kick-off with a virtual event on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm. The event will be streamed on Service 1st Federal Credit Union’s Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/service1stfcu.
The virtual event will feature local families sharing stories of love, hope, strength and determination during their fight against pediatric cancer, as well as performances by Woody Wolfe and Tim Latshaw. During this online event and throughout September the Going Gold Committee will be announcing a number of online fundraisers, including a shirt sale featuring a new design for 2020. The group will also share details about an online Going Gold raffle, specials offered by local businesses and other ways you can get involved and show your support. All proceeds will benefit the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund.
Over 15,500 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States. The Going Gold initiative, which began in 2015, continues to expand. To date, this initiative has raised over $60,000.
Since 2014, ThinkBIG® has provided over $655,000 to help local families. To learn more about this organization, visit https://www.thinkbigpa.org/
For more information about Going Gold 2020, visit https://service1.org/goinggold or call Service 1st at 800.562.6049.
United in Recovery Celebrates Recovery Month this September
From free webinars to a Virtual 5k, join United in Recovery for 30-days of self-care and other special events – all geared towards providing anyone experiencing substance use disorder with resources, support, and community.
Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month takes place every September and is a month-long event designed to provide education on mental health and substance use disorders. It also celebrates the work of individuals in recovery and provides support to affected families and individuals in need.
“It is a time to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and, ever importantly, celebrate the people who recover,” said Olivia Oden, Stigma Reduction and Education Coordinator at United in Recovery. “It is also a time to honor the treatment and service providers who make recovery possible.”
September 1st kicks off United in Recovery’s celebration of Recovery Month with 30-days of self-care and their annual 5k fundraiser. Each day there will be a self-care challenge posted on the United in Recovery Facebook page (@unitedinrecoverycolumbiamontour). A printable version of the calendar can also be downloaded from the United In Recovery webpage.
Due to the unique circumstances of COVID-19, United in Recovery is partnering with Titan Event Company to offer a ‘Virtual 5k’ this year. Participants choose from multiple distances (1 mile, 5k, or 10k) and can run or walk anytime, anywhere between September 1st – 21st. Everyone who participates is entered for a chance to win prizes. Winners will be selected at random. Registration is just $10 per person and kids 12 and under are free. Sign up today as an individual or a team at https://unitedinrecovery5k.itsyourrace.com/. Commemorative T-shirts are also available for purchase on the website for $15 each. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the United in Recovery program.
“Here at United in Recovery we celebrate everyone’s path to recovery. That is why we wanted to make sure to honor the month with lots of events, opportunities to get involved, and informational sessions to learn more about substance-use disorder and local resources,” said Adrienne Mael, President/CEO of United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties.
Two ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars will be offered, the first on September 15th and the second on September 17th, from 12-1pm. Topics will include substance use disorder, what it is and how to fight the stigma surrounding this disease; the history of Recovery Month, as well as inspirational stories of recovery. Registration is free and opens on September 1st. Attendees must register in advance via the Zoom platform at https://cmcuw.org/events.
September 22nd at 7 pm is ‘Recovery Stories,’ a virtual storytelling event. This event provides an opportunity for those experiencing substance use disorder to come together to inspire, teach, and influence change. The hope is to tear down the walls of stigma by creating a safe place to share, learn, and grow in our understanding of this disease and how it affects individuals, their families, and our community as a whole. Registration for this event is free and opens September 1st. To sign-up, visit https://cmcuw.org/events/recoverystories or follow our Facebook page for the link.
“We want to cheer on those who have found recovery and support those still in the process,” said Ms. Mael. “Together we can end overdose deaths in our local communities and reduce the instances of substance-use disorder.”
To learn more about Recovery Month and all the events United in Recovery has planned, visit the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties’ website https://cmcuw.org/unitedinrecovery or email UIR@cmcuw.org for more information.
Committed to a Clean Energy Future
To meet the world’s growing energy demand while simultaneously addressing the risks of climate change, Williams must execute on practical and immediate solutions. We’re proud to share our climate commitment, which sets a near-term objective of 56% absolute reduction from 2005 levels in company-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. This puts Williams on a positive trajectory to be net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
As one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in the United States, we see firsthand the critical role natural gas plays in a viable and sustainable low-carbon future. By setting a near-term goal for 2030, we plan to leverage our natural gas-focused strategy and technology that’s available today to focus on immediate opportunities to reduce emissions, scale renewables and build a clean energy economy – while looking forward and anticipating future innovations and technologies.
Our path to net zero by 2050 involves a combination of immediate and long-term solutions, including investments in renewables, technology and the best and brightest talent who are committed to doing what is right.
This is in addition to our $400 million solar initiative across nine states spanning Williams’ footprint.
I’ll be sure to keep you updated on our climate commitment progress and milestones, and we’ll also highlight our progress in our Sustainability Report going forward. Williams’ 2019 Sustainability Report is now available, showcasing our environmental, social and governance performance.
Our path to a clean energy future is underway, and we look forward to helping our customers and stakeholders like you meet your climate goals.