No need to wonder how the Omaha – Council Bluffs metro area compares to other communities. The 2011 United Way of the Midlands Campaign is shining example of how we stand head and shoulders above the rest.  The chairs of the 2011 campaign, Jim and Diny Landen, announced today that the drive raised a record $22,500,000. That’s more than the goal ($21.7 million), and in fact, raised 6.3 percent more than the previous campaign.

The winners of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest read their winning essays before a crowd gathered at United Way, sharing their hopes and dreams for our community.  Read the winning essays and see how students from Elementary to High School view the world around us and its potential for change.

Can a dream really change lives? Or a community?  Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous speech has inspired millions to dream of a brighter future for their neighborhoods, cities and our world.  Now, children and teenagers from the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area will share their hopes and dreams on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January 16th, 2012.

“National Information and Referral Services Day” aims to raise public awareness and increase utilization of information and referral services.  Thank you to our 2-1-1 Call Center for utilizing community resources and working towards the common good.

Nebraska & SW Iowa's 2-1-1 call center renews it national accreditation.  With a considerable increase in calls over the past few months, this accreditation ensures the call center will be continue to provide a lifeline to families over the coming year.

Two members of the local Medical Reserve Corps received statewide recognition recently, for their volunteer service in disaster preparation and response.

For their community support and spirit, Jim and Shirley  Young were selected 2011’s United Way of the Midlands “Humanitarians of the Year,” bestowed by the organization’s Tocqueville Society.

Students from Westside DECA participated in a Day of Caring on Saturday, August 27th at Girls Incorporated.  Watch their short video to see how these students lent a helping hand and showed us the meaning of LIVE UNITED.

It’s a fast two months, and an ambitious target  - United Way’s 2011 Campaign team, led by Chairs Jim and Diny Landen, set the goal: raise $21,700,000 to strengthen the network of health and human services that covers Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties.