John McMillin: Requests for donations over the phone require heightened guard

During a meeting held by United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland recently, several local nonprofit charities benefitted from the wisdom and guidance of Joe Roberts, investigator with the Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports and Gaming.

John McMillin: Longtime partner will not be forgotten

United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland has more than 40 programs, but there are some people we work with that become closer for one reason or another. Recently, we lost Brother Bob Evans who, with his family, church family and tons of volunteers fed thousands of people since 1999 in Wilson County through Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry.

John McMillin: March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland currently works with more than 40 local partner programs all striving to improve local lives. Whether it’s education, health or rebuilding lives or financial stability, we are thankful for the opportunity to support many causes that improve the lives of our friends and neighbors.

John McMillin: Thank you can’t be said too much

We love it when we can say thank you; sometimes we do so with pizza.  Thank you, for us, means someone, some school or some company put in the time and effort to help people in our community through United Way.

John McMillin: Publix, employees continue to raise bar for local giving

Each year, we like to point out the amazing contributions that one retailer in particular makes through United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland to our communities. That retailer is Publix, and this year is no exception.

John McMillin: Nothing like a move to declutter and refocus

Change happens much quicker when you have no choice. Take moving for example. Suddenly those stacks of old files you’ve intended to go through for some time suddenly take on a new urgency.

John McMillin: Beware of those who claim to be the taxman

United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland partners with 44 programs in our local service area, as well as holding several volunteer opportunities and managing in-house programs for our local communities. With that in mind, we do our best to better our community in many areas.

John McMillin: Prospect Inc. visits highlight local good work

United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland had some incredible visitors this week from Prospect Inc., one our partner programs. Our visitors, Prospect clients and staff, came to tell us and several others in the community, such as the cities of Lebanon and Mt. Juliet, the Lebanon Municipal Airport, Wilson Bank & Trust at Walmart and Wilson County Promotions, thank you.

John McMillin: FDA reacts to protect children from cold medicine

After safety-labeling changes are made, the products will no longer be indicated for use to treat cough in any pediatric population and will be labeled for use only in adults 18 years and older. Labeling for the medications also is being updated with additional safety information for adult use – including an expanded boxed warning, the FDA’s most prominent warning ‒ notifying about the risks of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose and death, and slowed or difficulty breathing that can result from exposure to codeine or hydrocodone.

John McMillin: United Way welcomes new campaign assistant

United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland is proud to announce and welcome Michelle Sinz as our local organization’s newest campaign assistant.

John McMillin: You can leave a lasting legacy with a bequest

Our usual source of funding comes from employees. Many of you are generous donors who contribute to employee campaigns by giving a dollar or more a week or per pay period to help UWWUC support more than 40 local programs. We also receive occasional financial help from various grants that allow us to give life to special projects and pilot programs, like our Wonder Trails, the Neighborhood Library Program and others.

John McMillin: Long-term donors key to success in helping our community

John McMillin: To finish that prescription or not, that is the question

Of course, the down side to all that time with family, friends, parties and too many potluck dinner events are the germs. It never fails, if you’re like me, this time of year brings on a few symptoms of some “bug” making its way through the neighborhood.

John McMillin: When disaster strikes, be sure to give wisely

It seems as though the past year has brought many challenges that pull at our heartstrings and our wallets. Tennesseans are a generous lot and we love to volunteer or help in some manner. We have seen devastating fires in the Smoky Mountains, floods on more than one coast, tornadoes and now another group of wildfires in California. Residents from all over our great state reacted and, in fact, continue to offer help.

John McMillin: Volunteering is good for you and the community

Most of us have volunteered for something in our lives. That being said, I’d venture that most of us have felt that feeling of accomplishment afterwards. Turns out, there’s a little more fact that supports the belief that volunteering is good for the volunteer.