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Happy New Year
from all of us at
United Way of Genesee County |
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Live United means being a part of the change. It takes everyone in the community, working together to create a brighter future. Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own.
Advancing the common good means creating opportunities for a better life for all. When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable and when people have good health. These results/changes have benefits that have a ripple effect throughout the community as a whole. |
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"United Way and Rich Harwood's Prayer for Barack Obama"
Rich Harwood of the Harwood Institute, recently wrote this Prayer for Barack Obama. I think it is worth taking a few minutes of your time to read it. There are a number of parallels to our United Way and our Credo: LIVE UNITED; and our call to action: GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER.
United Way is the collective power of all of us working together - United. It manifests itself when we improve the quality of life for just one person, because that act influences the condition of all of us.
Our focus is on the building blocks of a better life - Health, Education and Income. We all win when families have good health, when a child succeeds in school, when a neighborhood turns around, and when workers have a solid job.
As Rich says in his prayer - "remember that change often starts at home, in our
neighborhoods, among us". In that regard, one of United Way's roles is to serve as the neutral convener in our community...working on behalf of the common good, to bring people and organizations together; to identify and address the problems facing our at-risk children, families and older adults.
This hasn't and isn't going to happen overnight, and without a lot of effort and dedication. Our United Way is that body of volunteers that works to ensure that our community continues to progress, so that our children will have a better future.
Ron Butler
Executive Director
United Way of Genesee County
Here is Rich's prayer: Click here! |
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Thanks for your GENEROSITY!
United Way of Genesee County - Campaign
During Michigan's tough economic times it is important to recognize all the companies and donors who supported United Way of Genesee County, Campaign 2008. With gas prices soaring, cost of groceries increasing, the financial market in decline, and the unprecedented job decline in Genesee County, most companies and their employees were challenged about how to support their neighbors in distress.
Kudos to our company leaders and donors! They kept the needs of the community in the forefront and came up with creative ideas and activities to sustain or even increase their giving to our United Way.
Some 2008 campaign highlights:
Randy Wise Automotive Team focused on increasing their participation and hit the 91% mark. Employees at Landaal Packaging System increased their personal contribution by 12%. Comcast employees exceeded their past giving and participation rate by 10%. We are grateful to all the companies that took the time to educate their employees about United Way of Genesee County, the 28 partner agencies and the 50 different health & human service programs made possible by their contributions. Managers and Campaign Coordinators at Meijer Stores personally facilitated over 70 presentations to educate and encourage employee participation in the United Way Campaign. Result.... $4,000 additional dollars over last year.
Flint Public Library ran a fun campaign with lots of incentives and fun events. At their "Chili Luncheon" celebration they announced that their campaign increased by $2,400.
For the second year in a row Communication Access Center bumped up their fundraising for United Way with lots of interesting events. A new idea they had this year was to have managers create beautiful themed baskets, and then they sold raffle tickets to win the baskets. While having a lot of fun, since 2006, CAC has quadrupled the dollars they have raised for United Way.
Raymond James Corporation believes so strongly in United Way that the company matches every dollar that is pledged by its employees. With this support their campaign increased by 50% this year.
The gang at Al Serra Automotive showed that amazing GM community spirit and increased their campaign by $1,300.
Some strong support for United Way comes from the credit unions in our community. Three
organizations: Security Federal Credit Union, Dort Federal Credit Union and ELGA Credit Union ran classic campaigns and posted double digit percentage increases in their fundraising.
Genesee County Schools shine with terrific United Way Campaigns:
We have a lot of positive things to be thankful for here in Genesee County. Many area school districts ran very encouraging United Way Campaigns this year. With a lot of hard work and fun activities, the following school districts increased the dollars raised this year for United Way; Flushing, Genesee, Kearsley, Lake Fenton, Linden, Montrose and Mt. Morris. We at United Way would like to thank all the Superintendents, Campaign Coordinators and donors from each school district that made these increases possible.
Thank you ALL! |
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Important Unemployment Payment Information
The State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has developed a third payment option in the form of a debit card. Before you go with this form of payment, please take notice there are possible fees and charges attached to using this card. You actually have three options: Traditional Paper Check, Direct Deposit, or the Debit Card. If you are currently receiving your benefits through the Debit Card Program, you can change your benefit payment option at any time.
To change your payment option call
1-866-500-0017, select Option #2,
and choose how you would like to receive your unemployment benefits. For direct deposit, have your financial institution account information as follows: Your financial institution's nine (9) digit routing number; Your savings or checking account number.
When changing your payment option, you will first need to establish your identity by providing the following information: Social Security #; MARVIN personal identification number (PIN) or your driver's license number.
You can call the toll free number anytime between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The change of options takes no more than 3 business days to take effect.
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Target and United Way brighten holidays for families in need!
This is the 18th consecutive year Target has donated holiday trees to United Ways to brighten holidays for families in need. "Target and United Way share the same goal in improving lives. The Target "Share-a-Tree" program is just one more way we can work together to meet that goal and positively impact communities everywhere," said United Way of America President and CEO Brian Gallagher.
There are three Target stores in Genesee County. Collectively they donated seven beautiful, fully decorated trees. Our United Way worked with Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint, DHS, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, and UAW to identify families in need. Target has a long-standing commitment of giving to the community they serve. Target team members participate in the United Way campaign. In 2008, Target's campaign increased by 52% over 2007.
We extend our gratitude to Target team members, campaign coordinators and managers for their commitment, for their generosity, and for partnering with United Way to serve our community. |
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Target Team
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Give.
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| When you give to United Way, your gift along with your friends, neighbors and thousands of other people's gifts make the greatest impact possible.
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Advocate.
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You can make change happen with your voice. United Way needs people who are passionate about education, income and health to make some noise.
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BE AN ADVOCATE
Forward this eNewsletter
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You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone would forward this to five people.
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AGENCIES MAY APPLY FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM GRANTS
Agencies providing emergency food, shelter and energy assistance to Genesee and Lapeer County residents are invited to apply for a federal grant administered locally by the United Way of Genesee County through the Emergency Food and Shelter Local Board Program.
Local agencies are encouraged to complete an application to receive this funding. Applications are available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the United Way Office (located in the Citizens Bank Building South Tower), 328 South Saginaw Street, Suite 501, Flint.
The deadline for applying is 3:00 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2009. |
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Ask the Lawyer Community Seminars
The Genesee County Bar Association attorneys, in collaboration with the Flint Public Library and Legal Services of Eastern Michigan is offering an eight part series of free legal advice seminars. Are you being harassed by a debt collector? Is your personal debt out of control? Landlord/tenant disputes? Foreclosure fears? For RSVP, topic, and scheduling information click here! |
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Click here and join Lola's movement to support the Genesee County Community! |
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Why do you
LIVE UNITED?
Share your story...
We want to find out why you do what you do. Was there a pivotal moment in your life that made you realize you are committed to advancing the common good? Did an interaction with a special individual help you realize that the mission of United Way was one that you wanted to live?
Tell us your story!!!
Once a month we will choose the best story received, and publish it in our enewsletter and our website.
The winning entry will
receive a "LIVE UNITED"
t-shirt.
EMAIL PHOTOS W/STORIES OR YOUR VIDEO LINKS TO: ameister@unitedwaygenese.org
We are anxiously awaiting for your great story!
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Volunteer Opportunity...
Learn how to prepare Earned Income Tax Credit forms for eligible residents. After training, volunteer must provide 20 hours of service.
Christ Enrichment Center
2008 Updates
Tuesdays & Thursdays
January 20, 22, 2009
Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
All trainings are offered through the Genesee County Tax Assistance and Financial Services Coalition.
If you have any questions please contact: |
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Lindsey Younger
Program Director Information Services
Resource Genesee
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| United Way of Genesee County is supporting our community and our environment. We are very excited to announce that we are now collecting used cell phones. United Way will earn money from these donations.
If you would like to participate and help collect cell phones, please contact: Tracy Kedovary @ 810.762.5830.
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