The pandemic has shown that many ALICE workers are essential, frontline employees.  It has become exceedingly clear that we need ALICE to keep the economy running and to keep us all safe and healthy.

ALICE workers play a key role in providing essential frontline services and support our local economies but many lack sufficient income, adequate health coverage and access to other benefits that would help them withstand the COVID-19 crisis.

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ALICE® is a United Way acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and represents those individuals and families who are working but still struggling to make ends meet.  Your child care worker, the cashier at your supermarket, the salesperson at your big box store, your waitress, a home health aide, an office clerk... anyone can be living under the ALICE threshold.  These hard-working households cannot always pay the bills, have little or nothing to put into savings and are forced to make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying rent.  One unexpected car repair, medical bill or global pandemic can push these financially strapped families over the edge.

Rappahannock United Way's ALICE Assistance program has been there throughout the pandemic for local households struggling to cover their basic needs.  With your help we can continue to offer this support.  Working with local corporate partners we will make sure your donations and/or messages of encouragement reach ALICE workers in need.

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You can choose from any of the options below and we will work with local employers to make sure frontline workers in need receive these items.  Gift cards can be mailed or delivered to the Rappahannock United Way, 3310 Shannon Park Drive, Fredericksburg VA 22408.  (Secure Drop Box is to the left of the main entrance).  Please submit all items before June 30, 2021.  Large quantities of gift cards can be scheduled for collection - email for details - HERE

Hug in a Mug!

$5 - donate gift cards for local coffee shops or make a cash donation HERE

Hearty Meal!

$10 - donate gift cards to local restaurants or make a cash donation HERE

Time Out!

$25 - donate gift cards to local massage therapy spas or make a cash donation HERE

Ride to Work!

$50 - donate gift cards to gas stations or ride share apps (Uber or Lyft) or make a cash donation HERE

Home Sweet Home!

$100 - make a cash donation to our Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program so that we can keep eligible ALICE households safely housed HERE

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Mask Force - Show Your Support!

The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that washing your hands, social distancing and wearing a mask are the best things you can do to slow the spread of  the Corona virus.  There's no reason why you shouldn't show off your safety measures with pride. You're doing your part to make this world a safer place while also demonstrating that you care deeply about the well-being of our local essential workers.

STEP #1 - Take a selfie (and anyone else in your bubble) or make a short video while washing your hands / wearing a mask / keeping your distance

STEP #2 - Post your pic / video to your social media accounts - don't forget to tag your posts so that we see it

#RUWearingaMask   #RUWashingYourHands   #RUWorkingfromHome  #MeetALICE   #EssentialALICE

Deadline for posting is June 30, 2021.  We will compile your selfies / pics / videos on RUW social media to encourage others to do the same!

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Give Thanks!

Expressions of gratitude are so meaningful. We are collecting messages of appreciation and support for our local essential workers who are working hard to keep us all safe.  The RUW team will deliver messages received before the June 30, 2021 deadline, directly to local frontline workers on your behalf.

Option #1 - take a moment to share a few words of thanks and encouragement through our online portal HERE

Option #2 - write your own cards with messages of appreciation - let us know when your cards are ready HERE

Option #3 - we have lots of kid friendly activities and resources to help younger volunteers say thank you to frontline workers - visit our special page HERE

Option #4 - make a fun photo message - hold a sign, sing a song, do a dance, you can be as creative as you like! More details HERE

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Rappahannock United Way is not engaging volunteers in-person due to COVID-19 safety precautions there are some organizations that do still need in-person volunteers for their pandemic response work including the following options: