Rainy Day Activities

April showers bring May flowers—and we should be seeing a lot of blooms here soon.

We’ve been getting a lot of rain here in Columbus, and while it’s needed, it can also leave you feeling bored and unsure of what to do. If you find yourself stuck inside on a gray day, here are some ways to stay busy.

Spend Some Time on Burlington English

If you happen to have the Burlington English app, spending some time on it while it’s raining can be incredibly beneficial.

Instead of scrolling through social media, open the BE app and do a quick lesson. Is there a commercial break during your favorite show? Perfect time to do get on your phone and engage in an English lesson!

Listen to Audiobooks

There are a variety of apps that you can download onto your phone that give you access to a wide range of stories, so you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.

The best part about audiobooks is that you can listen while doing other things. If you’re trying to get some rainy day cleaning done, you can pop in your headphones and listen to a book at the same time.

If you’re looking to relax, curl up on your couch with a blanket and an audiobook and get lost in another world.

Read with Your Kids

If you need to keep yourself and your kids busy on a rainy day, consider reading to your kids. It doesn’t matter what types of stories or books you choose. You can even have them read to you. Reading is a great way to forget that the weather outside is less than ideal.

Bake a Delicious Treat

While engaging in learning activities on a rainy day can be beneficial, you can also do something enjoyable—like baking your favorite treat. Not only will the warmth from the oven fill you with joy, but the smells in your house will make you forget all about the dreary weather outside.

The rain may be needed, but it can still make the day feel long and boring. Thankfully, there are things you can do to pass the time.

The Perks of Partnering with the Columbus Area United Way

The Platte Valley Literacy Association has been a Columbus Area United Way (CAUW) Partner Agency for decades (more than 30 years), and we are proud and honored to have that connection. 

What Is a Partner Agency?

The simple answer to this question is that United Way Partner Agencies provide services to individuals within a community to address specific needs that the United Way has determined are important to quality of life. They have named these their Three Pillars. Those pillars include:

• Health
• Education
• Financial Stability

These categories are pretty broad and general, and then it’s up to the local United Way to develop criteria under each heading that best serves the people living in the area. The local United Way then works with “Partner Agencies” to ensure that the needs of individuals within the community are being met.

As a Partner Agency, the PVLA is tasked with providing a service that makes positive, meaningful change within the community. The United Way wants people to live their best lives, but they can’t achieve that goal on their own. They need to work with others who share their vision of a strong community, and that’s why they create partnerships with other agencies.

What Benefits Do Partner Agencies Get?

Helping the United Way comes with many benefits, including access to funding opportunities, resources for promotion and outreach, and opportunities for learning.

The United Way supports its Partner Agencies to ensure they are providing the best services possible. After all, if the Partner Agency is successful, the United Way is successful, and the community gets the services it needs to thrive and survive. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Probably the biggest benefit that comes with being a United Way Partner Agency is the sense of satisfaction that comes with knowing we’re making a difference. It feels really good to know that we are helping those in need and making Columbus an incredible place to live.

A Prosperous Relationship

There’s a reason why the PVLA has been a United Way Partner Agency for as long as it has; it gives us the opportunity to make a huge difference in the Columbus community. We also have access to and make connections with other nonprofits in the area, and it feels good to be part of a productive and prosperous movement.

The United Way has been doing good things in communities around the world for more than 135 years. They are catalysts of social change and exist to promote the common good.

Being a United Way Partner Agency is a big deal because it can make a huge impact on countless lives. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?