When Grand Junction Main Street glows with holiday lights, the spirit of the season comes alive in Mesa County. Neighbors wave, families gather around dinner tables, and volunteers fill donation boxes for those in need. At the heart of this community spirit is United Way of Mesa County (UWMC)—an organization dedicated to bringing people together to create lasting change.
This time of year, United Way’s mission feels especially meaningful. Through programs like the Mobile Outreach and Services Hub, United to Solve Homelessness, the Book Exchange, and Volunteer United, the organization helps ensure that no one is left behind during the holidays—and that everyone has a place to belong.
Meeting People Where They Are
The holidays can be a joyful time, but for many, they also bring added stress. Rising costs, limited access to transportation, and housing instability can make even daily needs feel out of reach. That’s why United Way’s Mobile Outreach and Services Hub brings help directly to where it’s needed most.
The mobile unit travels across Mesa County connecting residents with essential services—everything from hygiene supplies and health resources to assistance with housing, employment, and food access.
“During the holidays, our mobile hub becomes a kind of sleigh of support,” says Philip Masters, United Way’s Outreach and Services Coordinator. “We’re not just handing out resources; we’re bringing compassion and connection to people who need to know they’re not forgotten.”
At a recent outreach event, volunteers distributed bicycles and served hot cocoa to local children. It was a simple gesture—but one that made the season a little brighter for everyone who stopped by.
Uniting to End Homelessness
United Way’s United to Solve Homelessness initiative reflects the organization’s deep belief that housing is a foundation for well-being. Through collaboration with local partners, the program focuses on prevention, coordination, and solutions that address the root causes of homelessness.
As winter weather settles in, the program ramps up efforts to connect individuals to shelter and long-term support. Blankets, sleeping bags, and care kits are distributed alongside case management and housing resources—because stability begins with safety.
“Homelessness doesn’t take a break for the holidays,” Masters says. “But our community doesn’t either. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every act of kindness adds up to real change.”
A Gift That Keeps on Giving: The Book Exchange
Not all holiday gifts come wrapped in paper and bows. Sometimes, they come in the form of a gently used book waiting to be discovered. United Way’s Book Exchange program is a year-round effort to make reading accessible to all—and during the holidays, it takes on a special magic.
Colorful book boxes are decorated with festive touches, filled with children’s stories, and placed around town for anyone to take or leave a book. The program encourages families to read together and reminds us that imagination, learning, and joy are gifts meant to be shared.
The Heart of It All: Volunteer United
The warmth that fuels all of these efforts comes from one powerful source—volunteers. Through Volunteer United, community members can find countless ways to give back during the holiday season: serving meals, wrapping gifts, collecting coats, or simply lending a listening ear.
Each act of service adds a little more light to the season. When people volunteer, they don’t just change someone else’s day, they remind us all what community really means.”
The True Spirit of the Season
As carolers sing and lights shimmer across downtown Grand Junction, United Way of Mesa County continues to embody the true meaning of the holidays: unity, compassion, and hope.
Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, every person has the power to make this season brighter for someone else.
Because when we come together—when we choose generosity over judgment and connection over isolation—we create a Mesa County where everyone can thrive. And that’s the greatest gift of all.
“During the holidays, our mobile hub becomes a sleigh of support,” says Philip Masters, UWMC Outreach and Services Coordinator.