Cedar Valley United Way

08/31/2026

📣 Meet our 2026 Campaign Co-Chairs!

We’re excited to announce Dr. Megan Franklin, Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI Athletics), and Ethan Crawford, Director of Athletics & Recreation at Hawkeye Community College (Hawkeye RedTail Athletics), as Cedar Valley United Way’s 2026 Campaign Co-Chairs!

Megan and Ethan know from athletics that nothing meaningful is accomplished by one person alone.

Every person has a role.

Every contribution matters.

And the strongest teams are the ones working toward something bigger than themselves.

The same is true for our community.

In athletics, it can be easy to focus on the scoreboard, but the final score never tells the whole story.

Behind it are countless individual moments, challenges, sacrifices, and people who kept showing up.

In the Cedar Valley, behind every statistic, every need and every program is also a person with a story.

As Megan shared, "At UNI Athletics, our vision statement reads 'we leverage the power of the jersey for a greater good'. In athletics, we see every day what can happen when people come together around a common goal, and the same is true in our community. It is in that spirit that I am pleased to support the Cedar Valley United Way as campaign co-chair, where we get to tell the stories of the people and the programs supporting our Cedar Valley community members in thriving as they craft their own stories of impact."

And those stories touch nearly every part of life in our community.

As Ethan shared, "The Cedar Valley United Way is a trusted organization that impacts a variety of areas that affect people in their everyday lives. From education and mental health to housing and food assistance, CVUW can touch so many lives through your donation."

None of us can solve every challenge facing the Cedar Valley.

But we can make a difference for one person.

One family. One child. One story.

And then another....

Until those individual stories begin to change the story of our entire community.

We’re proud to have Megan and Ethan helping lead the way as we build a stronger Cedar Valley...

One Story at a Time.

08/27/2026

Thank you, Community Bank & Trust for all your years of contributing to a great cause. 🙏🏻

💛 The yellow shirts are out!

Rally for the Valley is kicking off another year of creating opportunities for children, strengthening financial security and connecting local families with essential support.

That’s a goal worth rallying around.

Let’s go, Cedar Valley! 💙

Cedar Valley United Way

08/27/2026

Thank you, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, for spotlighting yesterday’s Rally for the Valley event! 🙏🏻

“At Cedar Valley United Way we believe a person’s circumstances don’t have to define how someone’s story ends.” ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

08/27/2026

The entire Cedar Valley United Way team wants to say THANK YOU for making yesterday's Rally for the Valley a major success.🙏

We're grateful for...

Our new co-chairs, Megan Franklin and Ethan Crawford, for representing us.

Pastor Q, Quovadis Marshall, for blessing us with a powerful keynote.

All the businesses that generously donated gifts and prizes.

Our volunteers from the Board of Directors and CIT's to keep the day running smoothly.

Every attendee for their time, effort, and donations - thank you for your presence.

Kelsey Hammer Productions for the stellar job she did on our "One Story At a Time" Campaign video (as well as Lisa and Teisha for being willing to share their powerful stories).

And everyone else who made this kick-off event possible.

This is just the beginning of the immense impact we can create within the Cedar Valley as we head into campaign season...One Story at a Time. 🫡

08/26/2026

“You can be the difference in someone’s story” — Pastor Q

08/26/2026

We’re all setup for Rally for the Valley! 🥳

We’re ready to have fun while creating an impact for the Cedar Valley.

08/25/2026

Top 50 Spotlight

American Color Imaging earned a place among our 2025 Top 50 Campaign Partners as the 2nd-ranked Future Maker company.

Their commitment goes beyond the workplace. Through employee giving and community engagement, they're helping create opportunities for local families and building a stronger Cedar Valley for everyone.

Thank you, ACI, for being part of what makes our community thrive.

08/24/2026

Thank you to our new friends at Thecrazybeancatfe for donating a certificate to our upcoming Rally for the Valley this Wednesday, August 26th!

We look forward to their upcoming physical location opening up in the coming months. 👀

In the meantime, follow them to stay up to date on their pop-up schedule!

Our Pick-a-Prize and Raffle activities are always a highlight of the event, and donations from businesses like yours help create excitement while supporting a great cause.

Would your business like to donate a prize or gift item for this year’s event? 🎁

Contact us today, and we'll come pick it up!

Also, don't forget to register today at CedarValleyUnitedWay.org/Rally

08/24/2026

We'd love to spotlight both Annie and Brandon Alvarado for the Pretty Good Co. gift certificate donation to our upcoming Rally for the Valley on August 26th!

They're your local experts for all of your printing needs with locations in downtown Waterloo and on Main St. in Cedar Falls. 🫡

(Plus they have some lovely merch that makes swell gifts!)

Our Pick-a-Prize and Raffle activities are always a highlight of the event, and donations from businesses like yours help create excitement while supporting a great cause.

Would your business like to donate a prize or gift item for this year’s event? 🎁

Contact us today, and we'll come pick it up!

Also, don't forget to register today at CedarValleyUnitedWay.org/Rally

08/24/2026

We love seeing familiar faces featured by Live the Valley!

Ana Hernandez Eveland is not only building a life and career she loves in the Cedar Valley, she’s helping make our community stronger along the way.

Ana generously shares her time and perspective as a valued member of Cedar Valley United Way’s Income Community Impact Team, helping guide investments that create greater financial stability and opportunity for individuals and families across the Cedar Valley.

We’re grateful Ana chose to put down roots here...and even more grateful she chooses to give back to the community she calls home.

Congratulations on this well-deserved highlight, Ana!