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Did you know?
The Feed THE Need Community Food Drive
sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company
and RE/MAX of Midland will provide
food on the table for hundreds of
struggling families this winter.
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| We are grateful to Dow and RE/MAX for their generous $15,000 matching gift.
Midland truly LIVES UNITED! |
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Sharing Tree Program
Our community rallies to ensure that everyone feels the joy of the holidays
Thousands of gifts wrapped in beautiful red and green bows, hundreds of busy elves working tirelessly as a blanket of snow gently fell. A scene from the North Pole? Almost.
The United Way of Midland County Sharing Tree program helps our community fill the local holiday wishes of those in need and strives to ensure that every person feels the touch of our caring community this holiday season and throughout the year.
The initial distribution day was held at Blessed Sacrament on December 7th, with over 200 community elves coming together to distribute the gifts collected so far. It was a joyous event with thousands of gifts going out to needy families, but there are still nearly three hundred unmet wishes.
"The Sharing Tree distribution day demonstrates this community's compassionate spirit in action," shared United Way Executive Director Ann Fillmore. "It was so heartwarming to see the many volunteers and community agencies distribute the thousands of gifts that our community has already so graciously donated."
It is not too late to be a part of the magic. You can still help guarantee that every child in our community feels the joy that Christmas can bring. Many of our neighbors struggle each and every day, and the Sharing Tree program gives you the opportunity to help.
"We have experienced a nearly 10% increase in requests this year," shared Christy Thomson, UWMC Community Programs Coordinator. "While our initial distribution was incredible, there are still many requests that still need to be filled. For many in our community, this may be the only gift they receive this year."
Tags continue to be available on trees at the Midland Mall, WalMart, K-Mart and United Way and will be distributed to areas families through December 23rd. Gifts that have been purchased can be dropped off at the same locations. Dream Tracers, located near Sears has generously agreed to be the collection location for the Mall. In addition, transportation tickets for Dial-A-Ride and County Connection are being sold at Computers to Go at the mall.
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Community Impact Process
How is our community's investment distributed?
United Way utilizes the Community Impact process to make decisions about how the money raised is allocated to our partner agencies. All of the money raised in Midland County stays in Midland County to benefit our community.
United Way does extensive research to look at the current and emerging needs in the community. Working with twenty-eight partner agencies, we review past and future needs, as well as assess the outcomes of specific programs and services. In the fall, a group of over 150 community volunteers come together to review agency programs and projections.
Based on their findings, these panelists make the funding recommendations for each partner agency for the upcoming year. The panelists invest nearly 2,500 hours to ensure that our pledges will have the greatest impact on meeting the needs in Midland County.
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OPEN YOUR HEART.
JOIN HANDS.
LEND YOUR MUSCLE.
FIND YOUR VOICE.
GIVE 10% GIVE 100%
GIVE 110%
GIVE AN HOUR.
GIVE A SATURDAY.
JOIN US. |
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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 touch if everyone forwards this to five friends.
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Mittens for Michigan
Warming Hands. And Hearts.
Chemical Bank is encouraging everyone to help spread the warmth this holiday season with their "Mittens for Michigan" campaign. Chemical Bank is collecting new and gently used mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for needy individuals and families now through the end of January.
"Last year we helped warm hands and hearts across Michigan with over 10,000 donations," said Chemical Bank Chairman, CEO & President, David B. Ramaker. "We're extremely proud of last year's success and are committed to helping those who are experiencing difficult times in the communities we serve."
"United Way is proud to partner with Chemical Bank again this year with their Mittens for Michigan Program," stated Ann T. Fillmore, Executive Director of United Way of Midland County. "Providing warm mittens to those in need during the upcoming winter months epitomizes the compassionate spirit of our community and demonstrates Chemical Bank's commitment to Living United. United Way will ensure that these mittens are distributed to families with the greatest need through our partner agencies."
Collection boxes are located at Chemical Bank locations throughout Michigan. |
Project Homeless Connect
Reaching out to provide resources.
With the increase in unemployment and the high cost of heating this winter, many local families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
Midland County Continuum of Care assembled 28 agencies and churches together on one day to provide resources for families and individuals who are homeless or
at-risk for homelessness.
More than 163 struggling neighbors participated in the event, representing 310 people in households. They enjoyed lunch and received personal care and winter clothing items. "It's such a great way to provide services in one location for people struggling to meet even basic needs," said Sharon Mortensen, event organizer and chairwoman of the Midland County Continuum of Care. "Homelessness in an area like Midland County is somewhat invisible as it expresses itself in individuals or families doubling up and couch surfing, rather than actually living on the street. With the economy the way it is, such support will become even more necessary." |
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Colette St. Louis Connects
With Granddaughter Caleigh
My granddaughter and I spend Sunday mornings in the woods together. For the last four years, we have dedicated time to maintaining trails at the Chippewa Nature Center. We trim back growth, remove fallen trees and branches and make sure the trails are passable. Caleigh's favorite part is hopping in the golf cart to haul the debris we collect. In summer, we visit the pigs at the Homestead.
Caleigh and I have grown very close, and I treasure the time we spend together. We're lucky to have a volunteer activity that we both love and that has given so much back to both of us.
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