Just a quick word of THANKS to all who have committed to help make a difference in our community with the pledge of your support to United Way. We've seen many individuals and organizations 'step up' with increases in what they have pledged in the past years, which is VERY encouraging and exciting to see! Unfortunately, we have also seen others who have not been able to support United Way with the level of giving that they have provided in previous years.

My visits to see many programs supported through United Way of Saginaw County have only strengthened my resolve to do everything I can to assure United Way gets all the support it needs from our communities. Everywhere I had the opportunity to visit, I saw good people doing good work and really helping those in need.

Our campaign has come a long way, but WE ARE NOT DONE YET! We have a ways to go before we can fund 2011 programs at the level we want and need to. Please give and give generously. There is still time to make your pledge. Either call 755-0505, visit the website or send in your pledge TODAY! It is important to remember that every dollar counts.  United Way continues to be an outstanding way to meet needs across our community and is something that we cannot do alone. Please THINK WE BEFORE ME and show your support to this community.

Jim Cross, 2010 Campaign Chair

Volunteer START Grants Available
Now through December 10

Volunteer START (Students Toward A Responsible Tomorrow) grants are offered to all Saginaw County high  schools to help facilitate meaningful volunteer experiences that benefit the community at large. For the past five years, START grants have opened up many opportunities for our student leaders as well as helped many throughout the Saginaw County community. Each school can apply to receive up to $2,000 to help students fund their volunteer project(s). The grants are provided thanks to funding from the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation.  If you know of a student or school interested in getting involved, please contact Kelly at 755-0505, ext. 211 or visit our website for downloadable applications.

Celebrating 25 years of Holiday Wish List

For the past 25 years, United Way of Saginaw County has been helping families have a better holiday season through our Holiday Wish List program.

This program is very different from other programs in our community. Not only does the United Way program adopt the entire family, we also cross-reference names with the Salvation Army to make sure services are not duplicated. Names of families and individuals were referred to the program by more than 65 service providing agencies. 

The process begins each year in July when applications are given to local service providing agencies and the process is closed in early October. Wishes are then published online early November and a list of wishes are released in full in the Thanksgiving edition of The Township Times.

Each year, dedicated volunteers help United Way and program partner, the Department of Human Services, match local individuals and businesses with people seeking assistance during the holidays. Many volunteers, such as the Communications Pioneers, have been integral in the program from the begining. Volunteers make the program possible by donating their time to help input wishes, put books together and answer phones at the phone bank. Last year 21 volunteers donated 153 hours.

This year, there are 434 wishes that are looking for assistance with food, toys or clothing. There are several ways that you as a business or individual can become involved.

* Call our phone bank between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 755-8855.

* Click to view and adopt wishes online
* Mail a monetary donation to United Way at 100 S. Jefferson Ave., 3rd Floor - Saginaw, MI 48607 and we will use that to help adopt a family in your honor.

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Upcoming Events

* Saturday, December 4th
* Hosted at the YMCA

* Registration Form and Pledge Sheet available online

*For more information - please visit our website

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way

Allocation Process Volunteers

Interested United Way supporters will be assigned to a focus area of the United Way fundraising and funding process. Each focus area will have a volunteer panel that is responsible for reviewing requests for funding from pre-determined nonprofit organizations. The panels work together to make recommendations on funding for these organizations.

This is a wonderful way to learn more about your community, United Way, the partner agencies and the services and programs they provide.

VITA Volunteers

United Way is seeking volunteers to help with our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The volunteers will provide free tax preparation for low income individuals.

There are more than 93,500 low income individuals in Saginaw County. Last year volunteers were able to serve 2,500 of those individuals, helping them claim more than $4 million in total refunds, money that went back to the local economy. To reach even more people we need your help!

GOvolunteerNOW.org 

The United Ways of Bay, Midland and Saginaw Counties are collaborating with the Dow Chemical Company to launch a new, user-friendly, online volunteer recruitment and referral tool.

Serving the Great Lakes Bay Region, the new website is a great way to connect volunteers with opportunities to serve and a fantastic way for United Way partnering agencies to recruit volunteers.

Signing up is simple:

1.  Go to www.GOvolunteerNOW.org
2. Click on "Register Now"
3. Fill in the fields, then click "Continue"
4. Verify your account through the automatic
   e-mail confirmation
5. Registration is complete

Find a volunteer opportunity:

1. Go to www.GOvolunteerNOW.org
2. Login using your user name and password
3. Choose a location or zip code
4. Enter keywords that align with your interests
5. When you find the right opportunity, click "MORE"
6. Click "I WANT TO HELP"
7. Add a message if you like
8. Click "SEND"
9. You'll receive a confirmation e-mail
10. The organization you selected will contact you