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CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Eagle Alloy
Eagle Alloy ran a great campaign - a 62% increase in pledges with 66% participation - way to go Eagle Alloy!
They also sponsored a food truck at their facility, with employees volunteering. Eagle Alloy knows how to LIVE UNITED. Thank you for all you do in our community!
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WESCO RUNS
UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN!
Above, United Way of the Lakeshore board members Brianna Scott and Jason Piasecki pose with a Wesco store employee for one of the photos which will appear atop the gas pumps.
For the first time Wesco, Inc,. is hosting a United Way campaign that will benefit not only our United Way of the Lakeshore communities, but also 12 other United Ways around the state. This campaign officially began on Monday, February 26, and will go through Sunday, April 29.
United Way of the Lakeshore helped to facilitate this statewide campaign, working with Wesco Marketing Director Bryan Link and Human Resources Director Russ Kopp.
"The added benefit of Wesco aligning with the United Way is they support multiple programs in all our specific locations." said Link. " It is important to us that the money collected and matched will stay local in organizations that help people in our community."
For the next two months, every Wesco store will have a donation jar on their counters, display local volunteer photos on their pump tops and have the United Way logo printed on their shirts and cups promoting GIVE! in every community. Wesco Inc. will match, up to $1,000, the donations at each location.
Stop in to Wesco today!
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WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
NETWORK
The Women's Leadership Network of United Way exists to build a powerful coalition of women, in order that we can - increase awareness of needs in our community, particularly those impacting women and children; provide a forum to learn more about the needs of the community and the organizations that address those needs; and encourage women to become leadership donors. This group of women is comprised of those giving $500 or more annually to United Way.
For those who are interested in helping with Women's Leadership, there is a Steering Committee meeting planned for Wednesday, March 7 at noon at United Way of the Lakeshore, 31 East Clay Avenue, downtown Muskegon.
The 2012 WLN Chair is Tammy Gillette who has been involved with United Way for over 25 years.
2012 Meeting Dates:
March 27: Muskegon Museum of Art
May 22: To be announced
July 24: To be announced
September 25: To be announced
November 20: Salvation Army
Please contact Claudia Bryant at 877-722-3134 or claudia@unitedwaylakeshore.org for more information.
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LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
AND RECAP
Thank you to all the United Way and 2-1-1 leaders that traveled to the Capitol recently for the United Way and 2-1-1 Legislative Reception. There were over 60 legislative offices that stopped by including 46 Senators and Representatives. One of the talking points for the reception included early childhood. Spending under House Bill 4445 (H-2) included $12.5 million would be for the partial implementation of a kindergarten status assessment ($3.25 million), and for the provision of services to early learning program providers in the Tiered Quality Improvement Rating System ($9.25 million). This year marks the 10th year of 2-1-1 access in our state. We thank all of our state representatives for attending the reception - Rep. Hollie Hughes, Rep. Jon Bumstead and Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright. |
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SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR UNITED WAY AWARDS
United Way's annual meeting is April 25. In addition to electing board members and other business, a highlight is recognizing volunteers and organizations who have done exceptional work in our community. We would like your input in selecting those deserving of recognition. These awards encompass all three counties.
The Community Impact Award recognizes a staff person and a volunteer of a human service agency who embodies the spirit of impact through collaboration, collective action and selfless commitment for the common good that results in measurable improvements in the community.
The Spirit of the Lakeshore Award is the highest honor given to the organization that embodies the "spirit" of who we are and why we do what we do.
The Community Builder Award goes to organizations that work in the community by participating in philanthropic efforts and believe that by working with United Way, we can change lives.
Please visit our website to download nomination forms:
http://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/materials-a-downloads
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EVENT CALENDAR
Tuesday, March 20: 11th Annual Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Muskegon Community College. Over 20 vendors displaying goods and services embracing all aspects of health including body, mind and spirit. For more information please call (231) 777-0319.
Thursday, April 19: Michigan's Prevention Awareness Day, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, 11 a.m. on the steps of the Capitol Building. For more information contact Emily Wachsberger at (517) 335-0671 or wachsberger@michigan.gov.
Wednesday, April 25: United Way of the Lakeshore's Annual Meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Muskegon-Harbor, downtown Muskegon. Cost is $15 per person, or $120 for a table. Please contact stephanie@unitedwaylakeshore.org.
Friday, April 27: Muskegon Rescue Mission presents an evening with FFH & Bebo Norman, 7 p.m. at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets on sale now, $10 and $20, with group discounts available. Phone 1-800-585-3737 or www.startickets.com.
Thursday, May 10: Vin Vendue,
presents Lakeshore Chefs Challenge.
Come immerse yourself in an elegant evening of wine tasting and lively auctions of travel packages and specialty items. And this year, enjoy food samplings from area chefs who will be vying for the Lakeshore Chefs Challenge Critic Choice Traveling Award and the People's Choice Award. Fricano Event Center, 1050 West Western Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan from 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, May 12: Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive. More information to come!
Saturday, May 19: 34th Annual Mayfest event at Muskegon Community College. Stay tuned for more details.
Friday, June 8: The 2012 Arc Open at Stonegate Golf Club. Call (231) 777-2006 for more information.
Saturday, June 30: Great Gatsby Event at Hampton Green Farms. This event benefits the Child Abuse Council and United Way of the Lakeshore. More details soon!
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MUSKEGON VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITY
Community Health Needs Assessment volunteers: If you are interested in helping to administer a paper survey at pre-arranged locations, please contact Dave Nagel at (231) 672.3222 or
nageldw@trinity-health.org.
Here are the dates and locations available for March:
Thursday, March 1:
Muskegon DHS from 8 to 11 a.m.
Loaves & Fishes, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MIWorks! Office, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, March 2:
MAP from 1 to 3 p.m.
Loaves & Fishes, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, March 3:
First Congregational Church, 8:30 to 11 a.m.
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OCEANA COUNTY
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The Oceana Hispanic Center, located in Hart, needs billingual volunteers to provide assistance to Hispanic and migrant clients and to help them access necessities such as food and shelter, fill out forms, navigate local systems, and become more active in the community; as well as refer clients to proper agencies to seek aid. Volunteers will need to attend a referral training course provided at the center. Non-billingual volunteers are needed for fundraising, community events, newspaper ad sales, and more. Contact Damian Omness at (231) 873-5900 or connect@oceanahispaniccenter.org for more information.
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NEED HELP WITH YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN?
Free tax return assistance now available. You may qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund and free tax return filing. Workers earning less than $49,078 in 2011 may qualify for an EITC refund up to $5,751!
Goodwill is a lead partner with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Services for West Michigan. A wide selection of dates and locations are available servicing Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Lake counties.
To find out if you are eligible and to schedule an appointment call 2-1-1 (toll free at 877-211-5253).
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FAMILYWIZE DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION CARD
For those needing assistance with prescription medicine and haven't come across a FamilyWize card, FamilyWize now offers a free texting service. Text the word FAMILY to 700700 and receive a response asking if you would like a free prescription card. Respond with the word YES. You will be texted a free FamilyWize card that pharmacists can scan from your phone as a coupon would be scanned.
FamilyWize is a free prescription discount card that saves you and your family up to 30% or more on your prescriptions. Accepted nationwide by most pharmacies. Visit www.familywize.org for a list of pharmacies, additional cards, drug prices, and other program information. |
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