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2009 Strosacker Award Recipient
Wendy Plewa
West Midland Family Center
The Charles J. Strosacker Award was first awarded in 1990, honoring individuals from United Way partner agencies who have had a significant impact on human care services in Midland County. That spirit of leadership within our community, showing compassion for those less fortunate and the innovative spirit are all qualities that define a Strosacker Award recipient.
Wendy Plewa takes children from high-risk homes and places them on the right educational path, acting as their teacher and sometimes as a social worker. She has helped to shape the future for 240 children and families over the last nine years. Always a fierce advocate for at-risk children, Wendy goes into the homes of these students to nurture a relationship with their parents and develop a family approach to education.
Wendy believes strongly in education for all, and teaches her students to become independent thinkers and doers. A life-long learner herself, she studied in Reggio Emeilia Italy and has incorporated their philosophy of involving the entire family in learning into the preschool programs at West Midland Family Center.
"She ensures that the parents are part of their child's learning because she believes that this is the key to each child's success," shared Greg Dorrien, Executive Director of West Midland Family Center.
Congratulations, Wendy, recipient of the 2009 Charles J. Strosacker Award.
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Did you know?
United Way of Midland County has an
online community calendar.
Find out what's happening at
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United Way of Midland County welcomes Success by 6 into it's family of partner agencies. Success by 6 is a partnership of Midland County organizations and community members committed to ensuring that all children from birth to age six are nurtured and cared for and are prepared to succeed when they enter school.
"Early exposure to reading and parent encouragement are critically important in preparing children for success in school," shared Alan Omen, Success by 6 Executive Director. "Reading aloud with children is one of the most important things a parent or care-giver can do."
United Way funds support the Imagination Library early literacy program, which provides free, age appropriate books for all Midland County children under the age of five. Children receive a new book each month to encourage families to read aloud with their children. Every single United Way dollar dedicated to the Imagination Library goes directly toward purchasing books for the children.
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"We are pleased to welcome Success by 6 into our family of agency partners," said Ann Fillmore, UWMC Executive Director. "The work they do helps prepare children to be successful in school and in life, and is a unique addition that compliments our range of services to the community."
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Disability Network of Mid-Michigan
Announces New Location
In late March, Disability Network will be moving to a new location at 1705 S. Saginaw Rd. This move has become reality through collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Midland.
Due to the growth in the Nursing Home Transition Program, Veterans Services and the increase in Outreach Services, Disability Network needed room to grow. "We started reaching out to the community to discuss options and it was through this process that Rob Vallentine from The Dow Chemical Company connected Disability Network and Habitat for Humanity," shared Sara Kristal, Disability Network Executive Director. "Now we will have a space large enough to accommodate our recent growth and future needs."
Disability Network staff plans to move into the new location in late March after the building is renovated to be accessible for staff and visitors with all types of disabilities. Three Rivers Construction Company is overseeing the majority of the renovations and Disability Network is securing volunteers and donated materials to make the move more cost effective.
"We are excited to be co-located with Habitat for Humanity and their Re-Store. This is a fine example of how two non-profits can work together to share resources so they can stay focused on their mission-driven work in such a tight economy," said Sara Kristal.
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United Way
of Midland County
2009 Top Ten Corporate Donors
We are grateful for our corporate supporters. Because of your generosity, lives of our friends and neighbors in need are improving!
Dow Chemical Company
Dow Corning Corporation
MidMichigan Health
Chemical Bank
Midland Public Schools
Deloitte
Fisher Contracting
City of Midland
Three Rivers Corporation
Wolverine Bank
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Share the Memories Prom Dress Program
Last year, 100 high school girls were able to find the perfect prom dress, thanks to the Share the Memories program. A collaboration between North Midland Family Center and Midland Newcomers Club, Share the Memories aims to provide underprivileged girls the opportunity to attend prom wearing a beautiful gown at no cost.
The successful program, now in it's second year, accepts donation of gently worn formal dresses and redistributes them to local students. The group hopes to have more than 800 dresses for area girls to choose from.
The 2010 Share the Memories shopping days are scheduled for March 18 - 21, at the Midland Community Center. Girls can sign up on-line for an appointment at www.sharethememoriesmi.org.
Any girl will tell you that the art of picking out the perfect gown is part art, part science. Girls browsing the racks of donated dresses pick and choose from every color and size. They try on the gowns in "dressing rooms" built just for this event. There are even tables of donated accessories to find the ever-important accessories, and chances to win prize packages of make-up and flowers. The goal is for every girl to walk into her prom feeling strong, confident and pretty.
If you would like to donate a gently used formal dress, you may drop it off at the Midland Community Center, North Midland Family Center, Railway Family Center or The Rock Youth Center.
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Oven Lovin'
Dow Chemical Employees Raise Awareness
for United Way 
Sheila Van Geffen, UW Steering Team
Dow Chemical Company employees recently held a bake sale at the Dow Corporate Center in an effort to raise awareness of United Way's impact all year long. More than 150 employees stopped in for a treat and to learn more about United Way's building blocks for a good life; health, education and self-sufficiency.
"The event was a visible reminder of Dow employees' commitment to the mission of United Way and it's partner agencies throughout the year, not just during the campaign," shared Marshall Sprigg, Dow's United Way Campaign Cabinet Division Chair.
Leftovers were shared with the hungry in our community. Hidden Harvest collected the baked goods and delivered them to agencies that feed those in need. | |
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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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