Give or Get Help this Holiday
2-1-1 Connects Families to Holiday Resources

Churches, the Marine Corps, nonprofits, sheriffs’ departments and other human service organizations in the greater Chattanooga area are calling on the 2-1-1 Christmas Clearing service provided by United Way of Greater Chattanooga so they can make their resources stretch further this holiday season.

Whether you know someone in need or you represent an organization that is providing holiday help, you can dial 2-1-1 from any of the 16 counties in Chattanooga’s service area: Hamilton, Bledsoe, Bradley, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, McMinn, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie Counties in Tennessee; Catoosa, Dade and Walker Counties in Georgia; and DeKalb and Jackson Counties in Alabama. Operators on call at 2-1-1 will work to connect resources to needs in time for the holiday season.

Churches, social clubs, companies and other organizations that want to provide holiday help to children and families this season are asked to call United Way’s 2-1-1, but no later than Friday, December 12.  All area nonprofit organizations are invited to take advantage of this service.

On the other hand, if you know of a child or family in need of help this holiday season, please call 2-1-1 no later than Friday, December 12.

Calling United Way by December 12 gives 2-1-1 operators time to match those who want to help with those in need. The Christmas Clearing service allows organizations to save resources by avoiding duplication, while at the same time helping more families in a timely and efficient way.

United Way’s 2-1-1 uses an advanced web-based data system called Service Point. It allows staff to see which services an individual or family has used. If the system shows an organization has agreed to provide gifts for a family or child, United Way then helps other organizations – ones that may inquire about the same individuals – to make informed support decisions by supplying information about services that family has been offered or has already received. Contributions to United Way’s annual community fund campaign help to fund this program.

A few organizations participating in 2-1-1’s Christmas Clearing service are Chattanooga Human Services, the Forgotten Child Fund, Inner City Ministries, Northside Neighborhood House, Samaritan Center, Signal Mountain Social Services, Rhea County United Way, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Some organizations, such as the Salvation Army, Episcopal Ministries and Catholic Charities have already stopped taking referrals from 2-1-1 for holiday gift help this year. Many participating organizations are concerned about meeting the level of need for holiday assistance during the 2008 season. That’s why we're asking all individuals and organizations – that want to help provide Christmas gifts for children and families this season – to call 2-1-1 as soon as possible. 

Families needing assistance can call 2-1-1 for information and referrals to organizations providing services in the greater Chattanooga area – including Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in North Georgia and Marion County in Tennessee. In areas where 2-1-1 is not yet available, residents may dial 423.265.8000, or call 866.921.3035 toll free. The hearing impaired can dial 7-1-1 (Tennessee Relay Service). Go online at www.LiveUnitedChattanooga.org or call 423.752.0300 for more information about this or other services.

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Local Nonprofits participating in United Way's 2-1-1 Christmas Clearance Program

Organizations that have stopped taking referrals (3) 
Salvation Army                    
Episcopal Ministries                       
Catholic Charities   

Organizations that are still taking referrals (50) 
Toys For Tots (United States Marine Corp)
Forgotten Child Fund (Santa Train)
Northside Neighborhood House
Walker County Sheriff’s Office (Stocking Full of Love)
Rhea County United Way (along with the Rhea County Sheriff’s Dept)
Children’s Home Chambliss Shelter
Catoosa DFACS
Samaritan Center
International Worship Center
Signal Centers
Chattanooga Human Services
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Partnership For Families Children & Adults
Building Stable Lives Program 
Aim Center
Signal Mountain Social Services
Chattanooga Housing Authority
La Paz De Dias
Jones Memorial Methodist
Hamilton County Social Services
Chattanooga Housing Authority
Berean Baptist Church
Inner City Ministries
North River Vineyard Church
New Salem Baptist Church
First Centenary United Methodist Inner City Program
The Gathering at MBC
New Jerusalem M.B. Church
River of Life Thrift Store
Dallas Bay Fire Dept
Soddy Daisy Fire Dept
Salvation Army Cleveland
New Scholar Avenue Baptist
East Ridge Needy Child Fund
Hopewell Baptist Church, Cohutta, GA
McMinn County Rescue Squad
West Polk Fire & Rescue
Restoration Temple of Praise
Relative Caregiver Program
Fortwood Center
Hugs
Family Resource Agency Inc
Mount Olive Destiny Church
Mount Olive East Church of God
Church of God East Central
East Central Hispanic Church of God
Collegedale Seventh Day Adventist Church
Detachment 1-181 FCS (HIMARS) Family Readiness Group – Dayton TN
Marion County Sheriff’s Dept
Family Readiness Group DET 1-181 FSC (HIMARS)