JAyme Hayes will be speaker at Kick Off in October

Jayme Hayes, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore will be the keynote speaker for the United Way of Eastern Shore of Virginia's kickoff breakfast on Wednesday, October 2. This event will be held at Market Street Methodist Church in Onancock at 8:30 a.m.

Jayme Hayes graduated from Salisbury University. She is certified as a Job and Career Development Coach and is a Dale Carnegie graduate. Among her many accomplishments are being named as 2011 Top 45 Women Leaders, Young Professional of the Year, 2013, the Karl Flemke Award through Junior Achievement USA and a National Award that recognizes Presidents Inspirational leadership and invocation.

Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating youth, grades K-12 both public and private, on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Their hands-on, age-appropriate programs inspire youth to live within their means, prepare for the world of work and understand the free enterprise system. They are an enhancement to what kids learn in school and a direct link to real-life applications, making school relevant and increasing students’ engagement in the classroom.

Under her leadership Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore has won numerous awards including a 5-Star rating from JA USA for 15 years in a row, the Community Foundation’s Richard A. Henson Award for Non-profit excellence, the Salisbury Area of Chamber Non-Profit of the Year and the Peak Performance award from JA USA among many others. She recently completed a $7.5 Million Capital Campaign to build the largest, interactive and immersive education center on the shore, The Perdue Henson JA Center.  She is passionate about her community, education and her two beautiful daughters.  

 "We are thrilled to have a speaker the caliber of Jayme Hayes for our kickoff event," said Sam Norton, president of United Way of Virginia's Eastern Shore. "It is the perfect tie-in to our mission of improving the quality of life on the Eastern Shore.  United Way is proud to be able to assist the organizations that work to build a community that is hopeful, resilient and self-sufficient through programs in Education, Financial Stability and Healthy Living.

The United Way of Virginia’s Eastern Shore has raised over $8.4 million since being established in 1991. Costs are kept low with one part-time employee and the efforts of local volunteers.

To attend the kick-off luncheon or have your organization involved in the 2024 United Way Campaign, contact Dawn Byrd at dbyrd@esunitedway.org.

Thank You!

There are many heroes on the Shore and we are all so thankful for their service. I would like to bring attention to those who have worked in nonprofits and local agencies on the Eastern Shore. They can be overwhelmed with the needs of others under in the best of times. Trying to find safe shelter for those who have nowhere to go. Trying to make sure people have heat and electricity. Trying to make sure everyone has access to the services that will help improve their quality of life. The list goes on.

I am still watching the Directors, their staff and the volunteers of organizations on the Eastern Shore who continue to go above and beyond to take care of our neighbors. They have worked long hours from home, delivered meals themselves and provided food to children who were missing meals because of school closing.

I want to recognize their dedication to the Community we know as the Eastern Shore.

I thank them for their service.

Dawn Taylor Byrd
Executive Director
United Way of Virginia’s Eastern Shore

2020 - 2021 Campaign

“The Shore Needs You NOW!” is the slogan for our current United Way of Virginia’s Eastern Shore (UWVES) campaign. Truly, the need for dollars and volunteer services has never been more urgent than now. Local charities are experiencing high demand, and their ability to raise funds via events is limited. We, you and I, really need to step up and provide a wide range of support to these critically needed service organizations.

Since 1991, our local United Way has supported programs and services that work to provide a better way of life on the Shore. In those 29 years, we have gained experience determining the needs of local charities and have allocated the available funds accordingly.

I can personally attest that United Way works on the Shore in an extremely efficient manner. We don’t waste a dime.

Is there a better way to provide essential support to dozens of critical organizations in one fell swoop than by making one pledge to your United Way? We help in every way imaginable to build themselves up and make our community stronger. Our friends and neighbors need food, shelter, crisis support, education, medical attention, the arts, and more. We hope you can give generously this year.

On behalf of all residents on the Eastern Shore, thank you so much for making a pledge today. Don’t put it off. “The Shore Needs You Now!”

Shore Library Director Highlighted in Microsoft News

(ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA) November 20,2020 - Eastern Shore Public Library may be a small library system in rural Virginia, but it has attracted national attention with its work breaking down the digital divide. Cara Burton, Library System Director for the four-library regional system, was recently interviewed by Microsoft for its “On the Issues” column for an article called, “Bridging the Digital Divide: A New Chapter in the Life of the Public Library.” The online article interviewed librarians about the transformation of libraries to meet the digital access needs of their communities during the pandemic.

“It was quite an interesting interview,” reports Burton. “The writer lives in England. It was fun to chat with someone from the other side of the pond during a time when our traveling is so limited. Isn’t technology wonderful?”

“Eastern Shore Public Library received several grants this year because the Shore’s online access needs are so high, we stand out in the national statistics of the digital divide,” said Burton. “We were fortunate to receive these grants when we did.” An American Library Association Digital Lead Grant, supported by Microsoft, provided ten mini-laptops. These enabled staff at all four libraries to continue working during the lock down by providing online meeting equipment, telecommuting capabilities for technical services, and collection inventory tools. The laptops were also used at outreach events for the 2020 Census.

The library also received an American Library Association Census Equity Fund grant that provided two SmartBus portable wifi access devices. Once was installed in the Town of Tangier. The other’s installation elsewhere on the Shore is in the works. Another grant, from the Public Library Association, provided for two outdoor wifi access devices that were installed at Accomack and Nassawadox in September. More recently, the library received a federal Institute for Museum and Library Services CARES grant through the Library of Virginia that is funding a self-checkout and inventory management system for the new regional library.

“Because the Shore has such a digital divide, I was encouraged to apply as only a couple of other libraries in the state were eligible for these grants. Securing support from these outside sources helps us gain ground to provide our community what other library systems offer,” Burton continued. “We can’t wait to be in the new regional library now under construction in Parksley. We will have the space to provide training to use new technologies and the equipment to do so. We thank everyone who has supported this new library.”

To read the Microsoft article, follow this link.

Our Community Organizations

COVID-19 has stopped much of the world as we know it. It has been heartbreaking to witness the effects of this virus on the residents of the Eastern Shore but so heartwarming to see people continue to work to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

There are many heroes on the Shore and we are all so thankful for their service. I would like to bring attention to those who have worked in nonprofits and local agencies on the Eastern Shore. They can be overwhelmed with the needs of others under the best of times. Imagine what their work load is like now. Trying to make sure no one goes hungry. Trying to find safe shelter for those who have nowhere to go. Trying to make sure people have heat and electricity. Trying to make sure everyone has access to the services that will help improve their quality of life. The list goes on.

I am still watching the Directors, their staff and the volunteers of organizations on the Eastern Shore who continue to go above and beyond to take care of our neighbors. They have worked long hours from home, delivered meals themselves and provided food to children who were missing meals because of school closing.

I want to recognize their dedication to the Community we know as the Eastern Shore. I thank them for their service.

Dawn Taylor Byrd
Executive Director
United Way of Virginia’s Eastern Shore

2019 Campaign Total

The United Way of Virginia’s Eastern Shore is pleased to announce the total for the 2019 Campaign. Jennifer Annis and Amanda Kamm, Chairs of the Campaign, raised over $345,000 for Non-Profit organizations on the Eastern Shore. Kim Savage, President of the UWVES Board, presented plaques which read, “Thank you for your Outstanding Achievements in Fundraising”. The 2020 United Way Campaign is ongoing and would love your support. If interested in helping those in need, contact UWVES.

Shore Delivery Corps

“Shore Delivery Corps is most thankful for the integral assistance of the United Way of Virginia’ Eastern Shore.  Our local UWVES board was super responsive with start - up funding and resourcefulness to respond to the needs of the Shore as we prepared to assist our fellow citizens who are at the highest risk of COVID – 19 complications.”

- Jeff Holland

Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Shore

Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, UWVES went above and beyond by providing the Boys & Girls Club with additional funding to support a feeding program on the Eastern Shore.  This has enabled the club to serve an average 120 meals a week to Club members and their families to prevent food insecurities during these unprecedented times. 

- Kathy Custis – Unit Director Eastern Shore