The United Way of Eastern Utah (UWEU) is dedicated to improving lives by supporting health, education and financial stability. With the help of two grants, UWEU has expanded its impact in San Juan County, providing essential resources and support to those in need.
Thanks to the generous support of the San Juan Clean Energy Foundation, the United Way of
Eastern Utah (UWEU) has been able to provide critical resources to those in need through two
impactful programs—Soles2Souls and Live.Love.Local.
Soles2Souls
When a child wears shoes that are worn-out or don’t fit properly, it can be uncomfortable and
distracting. UWEU’s Soles2Souls program helps by providing durable, well-fitted shoes to
school-age children at no cost.
With a $5,000 grant from the San Juan Clean Energy Foundation, Soles2Souls distributed 315
pairs of shoes during a special pop-up event in Blanding. Another 61 pairs were delivered to the
San Juan School District for future needs, and an additional 135 pairs were specially ordered for
students at Bluff Elementary and for those who couldn’t receive shoes on the initial distribution
day.
The impact of this initiative was further strengthened by the hands-on support of the
Foundation’s Board of Directors, who volunteered at the Blanding event. Their involvement
reaffirmed the significance of the program, and their generosity has ensured that 511 students
in San Juan County have new shoes as they head into the school year.
Live.Love.Local
For cancer patients in San Juan County, treatment often means traveling hundreds of miles to
the nearest medical center—an added burden that insurance doesn’t cover. Through the
Live.Love.Local program, UWEU provides $500 fuel cards to help ease the financial strain of
travel. Patients can reapply annually for up to three years, ensuring continued support during
their treatment.
With another $5,000 grant from the San Juan Clean Energy Foundation, UWEU has been able to
expand this vital program, helping more patients reach the care they need. As one patient
shared, “The gas card has helped so much in getting me back and forth to my doctor
appointments. United Way is such a blessing. Thank you!”
