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ENEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY
February 2012 Newsletter



Our VITA sites officially opened the last week of January/ first week of February. Since they have opened, VITA volunteers have been busy preparing taxes at our 8 sites throughout Saginaw County. (Volunteers pictured from left to right/top to bottom include: Myles Sakshau & Kelsie Quimby - Barb Witkowski - Joshua Gray - Janet Roekle, Joyce Potoff, Elaine Sommers & Kay Wyatt)


Community Impact Program Updates

VITA Volunteers Busy Preparing Taxes


Our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program would not be possible without a very dedicated group of volunteers. Many of our volunteers have been with us for several years and continue to work tirelessly for our community each year. These individuals spend hours studying, training and preparing before the tax season even starts. In addition to the work they put in during the tax season, site coordinators have hours of work to complete after they finish their day.

 

Each year we are truly amazed by the time these volunteers share through the VITA program. Many volunteers work multiple days per week and sometimes at more than one site. We cannot say THANK YOU enough to each of our dedicated VITA volunteers.

 

Volunteers are available to prepare taxes at the following sites in Saginaw County:

  • Butman Fish Library, Saginaw
  • Delta College, University Center
  • Frankenmuth Credit Union, Frankenmuth
  • Frankenmuth Credit Union - Town and Country Office, Saginaw
  • Freeland High School, Freeland
  • Hoyt Library, Saginaw
  • PNC Bank, Buena Vista
  • Rauchholz Memorial Library, Hemlock

Please call or visit our website for location dates and times.

 

If you are interested in making a difference by becoming a VITA volunteer, please contact Marsha Cooley at
(989) 755-0505, ext. 203.

Imagination Library Program Reaches 1,000 Saginaw County Children


Imagination Library LogoWe are proud to announce that the Imagination Library program has recently reached a major program milestone. As of February 2012, we officially have 1,000 children in Saginaw County enrolled in this amazing program.

 

As a reminder, all children under 5 years old living in Saginaw County are eligible to sign up for the Imagination Library program. Each child that participates in the program receives one book per month until their fifth birthday.

 

Please contact Joanie Covert to find out more details on the Imagination Library program or to sign your child up.

AmeriCorps Community Resource Navigator Helps Connect Saginaw County Residents to DHS Benefits


Thanks to a grant through the Michigan Association of United Ways, we were able to acquire an AmeriCorps Community Resource Navigator to help serve the Saginaw County community. In December 2011, Tara Cobb was chosen to fill this position.

 

As a Community Resource Navigator, Cobb's assignment is two fold. Cobb will be responsible for educating organizations, churches and other entities on how they can become a community partner. Cobb will also assist their current service recipients as well as others in the community through the MIBridges system. She will meet with individuals one-on-one.

 

Cobb is working collaboratively with the Department of Human Services (DHS) on this program as the MIBridges online system is provided through www.Michigan.gov. The MIBridges system offers current or potential DHS service recipients access to information on their individual case, begin the process to receive services or make changes to their profile.

 

The more community partners signed up, the easier it is for these individuals to access their case records without having to call in or stand in line at DHS. Instead, they can go to any community partner and access their information.

 

Training on the MIBridges system will be provided in the near future. If you are interested in more information or would like to become a community partner, please contact Tara Cobb at (989) 755-0505, ext. 206.


Getting to Know You

5 Minutes with a UWSC Board Member

 


Name: James Jesselaitis


Title:
UAW Internationally Appointed Ergonomic Technician


Company:
Nexteer Automotive/ UAW Local 699

 

How did you first become involved with United Way:
 
I have been involved with United Way and volunteering, one way or another, as long as I can remember. My parents taught my siblings and I to always put others' needs ahead of ourselves. For me, giving back is something that I have always been involved in.

 

Where did you grow up: I grew up on a farm in Saginaw (Sheilds).

 

What brought you to Saginaw County: I was born in Saginaw, I grew up here and Saginaw will always be where my roots are.

 

Education: Swan Valley High School, Averill Career Center Marketing Management, Delta College - Associates in Applied Science and Welding Engineering, various certifications from Nexteer/UAW.

 

Interests: I enjoy helping out in any way that I can in whatever I do. I am a Saginaw Township Firefighter, enjoy spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snow boarding, snowmobiling, camping and boating. Pretty much, I enjoy anything that allows me to stay active. I am always up for a new challenge!

 

Favorite United Way Event/Program: There is nothing better than seeing someone's face when our UAW Local 699 Community Service Committee delivers food and gifts for Christmas to families in need through the Holiday Wish List program. I love building and fixing things so Project Independence is also very rewarding to me. It is great to see everyone working together and learning along the way to help our community!

 

What you hope to gain from your involvement with United Way: I hope to gain new friendships, help make Saginaw a better place than it already is and turn this town around by getting people involved. Working together - we can make a big difference!


"Check Off" for United Way

United Way of Saginaw County is encouraging residents to "check off" for the United Way Fund when filing their state tax returns.

 

Form 4642 on the 2011 state income tax return allows residents to donate all or part of their state tax refund to the United Way Fund. The money will then go to your local United Way based on the zip code listed on your return.

 

The funds received will help assist low to moderate income families in Michigan with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. 

 

2011 Tax Check Off 

 


GIVE TODAY.

 

Visit www.UnitedWaySaginaw.org to make your online donation.

Remember, every gift makes a BIG difference in the lives of others.

Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting 
4.17.12

Please save the date and plan on joining us for breakfast on April 17th as we host our Annual Meeting. Our event will be held at Horizons Conference Center. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 8 a.m. 

 

(Formal invitations will be mailed)

  

Spring Into Service Day - 5.17.12

Stay tuned for more details on our annual Spring Into Service Day event that we, along with our community partners, host for the Saginaw County high school students.

 

9th Annual Jason Richardson Golf Classic - 7.11.12

Hosted at The Fortress in Frankenmuth, our annual golf classic is one of our biggest events of the year.

 

We need your help to make this another successful year. If you are interested in golfing, a sponsorship or donating a prize, please contact Kelly Johnson at (989) 755-0505, ext. 211.

 

 


211 Information and Referral Line Update

 

The Northeast Michigan
2-1-1 Call Center is in the process of completing the final stages of licensure for 13 additional counties to receive 24/7 information and referral services.  The 13 counties include: Saginaw, Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Crawford, Huron, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Tuscola. They will be joining Midland, Gladwin, Isabella, Clare and Gratiot Counties - bringing the coverage area to a total of 17 counties served.

 

Once the process is completed, Saginaw County residents will be able to call one, single point of entry through 2-1-1 to access vital community information, resources and services.

 

Currently, Saginaw County residents must call 1-888-636-4211 to receive information and referral services. As United Way of Saginaw County prepares to join the service area covered by 2-1-1, we are asking that all nonprofit organizations and governmental entities submit their information and become registered on the database. 

 

To register your information, please contact Joanie Covert at (989) 755-0505, ext. 218.

 


Serving the Community through AmeriCorps

 

Thank you to Cindy Davey for her service to the Saginaw Substance Abuse Prevention AmeriCorps program. Over the past year and a half, Davey served two half-time positions while being placed at the United Way office. "Cindy is one of those fantastic people who will step up to any challenge," said Kristy Bitterman, program coordinator. Our organization appreciates all the help and hard work that Davey did while serving through the AmeriCorps program.

Service Recap - My experience as an AmeriCorps volunteer 
through UWSC

"Serving with the AmeriCorps program in the United Way office has been both inspiring and rewarding. I have had the privilege of working with a staff dedicated to helping those in our community who are in need. I enjoyed working on the Make a Difference Day event so much that I have signed up to volunteer again in the Spring (even though my AmeriCorps term is now complete). Overall, I have really enjoyed the experience

 

Through the AmeriCorps program, I have learned so much about substance abuse and prevention. Also, I have been truly blessed to work under such a committed leader, Kristy Bitterman, in the fight against drug, alcohol and tobacco substance use and abuse. While I am sad to leave the AmeriCorps program, I am looking forward to continuing to volunteer with the connections I made, in other capacities."

 

~Written by Cindy Davey, AmeriCorps Member 2009-2011

 


Sharing a Success Story...

Submitted by Marsha Cooley, VITA Program Coordinator

"I ran an errand to one of the VITA sites recently and as I waited for the volunteer preparer to finish with the tax payer, I was able to observe the interaction between the two. As the preparer handed the tax payer his documents, he turned and gave her a big hug. I was quickly reminded that this is what our program is all about - making a difference in someone else's life!

 

This is the reason our volunteers are so dedicated to this program - to help their fellow community member. They do not look for rewards, credit or praise. It is because of their selfless giving that the rewards they receive come in the form of hugs, big smiles and sometimes even cookies!"


Hot Links

United Way in the News

Did you miss a press release or news story on United Way? Check our online news room to find the latest story.

 

LIVE UNITED Pictures

Do you have a picture of someone in the community LIVING UNITED? How about a photo of you or a friend wearing a LIVE UNITED t-shirt? Or maybe a photo of you and your coworkers volunteering for a United Way partnering agency?

 

We would love to see these pictures! Please email the jpg images to Kelly Johnson and we would be happy to include them in our future publications.

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United Way of Saginaw County 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, 3rd Floor, Saginaw, MI 48607
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