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Event pictures can be found on our website and facebook page.
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Springing Into Service at the Children's Zoo | |
On Thursday, May 17, more than 200 students representing 18 Saginaw County high schools and 90 adult volunteers, came together to Spring Into Service at the Children's Zoo at Celebration Square.
From painting to planting to staining and clearing brush, teams of volunteers were assigned to work together as they made improvements to the zoo.
This year was extra special as we celebrated our 10th year of hosting service days with our partners at Saginaw Community Foundation. These service days are a joint effort between with community partners.
Since 2002, our groups have accomplished various tasks at the following locations:
- 87 homes of senior citizens
- 14 homes of veterans
- 5 senior citizens' centers
- 6 homes for Emmaus House
- 8 elementary schools
- 20 public parks and play spaces
When asked what their favorite part of the day was, here are a few of the answers we received from the participants:
- "Everything, just being able to give the Zoo a better look for the kids." - Treasure, Saginaw High School
- "Knowing I made a difference." - Channing, SASA/FORCE
- "As a team leader, I really enjoyed getting the chance to work with students. Thank you for once again putting together a positive activity for the community to do." - Brittnay, Young Professionals Network
Thank you to all the students, adult volunteers, teachers, school contacts, site leaders, committee members, financial supporters and everyone else who helps to make each of these days possible. We could not have done it without your help! |
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Event pictures can be found on our website and facebook page. |
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Income Tax Assistance Volunteers Honored for Dedication to Community | |
We recently honored and celebrated the achievements of 60 income tax volunteers at an appreciation luncheon. The volunteers, who donated their time and talent during income tax season, were honored for their dedication to the community.
Through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, individuals who are financially unable to have their taxes prepared can visit one of the many VITA sites and have a fully trained volunteer prepare their taxes for them, free of charge.
During the 2011 tax year, the 60 Saginaw County VITA volunteers spent more than 4,300 hours helping 2,928 clients and together completed more than 5,745 returns. In total, more than $3.4 million was brought back to the Saginaw County community through the work of these committed volunteers and the VITA program.
Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers, site coordinators and supporters who help make this program a major success for Saginaw County.
Also, a very special thank you to our two Freeland High School students - Myles Sakshaug and Kelsie Quimby. It is because of their commitment to the program and our community that we were able to be the 2nd high school VITA site in the state of Michigan. Even though they have graduated and are now heading to college, their service and dedication really shows their true character and we really appreciate the achievements that they helped us accomplish.
In order for this program to continue and grow, we need your help! We are always in need of volunteers, young and seasoned. The more volunteers that we have, the more we can serve our community. If you are interested in getting involved with the VITA program, in any capacity, please contact Marsha Cooley at (989)755-0505, ext 203. |
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New Leadership Team Announced | |
In May, our Board of Directors took on new leadership roles. Leading the group is Ricardo Resio from Rehmann (pictured). Resio is now serving as Chairman of the Board.
The following community leaders will assist Resio, as well as fulfill the rest of the executive board leadership positions:
- First Vice Chair - Dave Youngstrom (Yeo & Yeo)
- Second Vice Chair - Herb Spence (Spence Brothers)
- Secretary - Carrie Travis (Covenant HealthCare)
- Treasurer - Brian Dixon (Yeo & Yeo)
- Allocations Process Chair - Larry Sims (Brookstone LHS, LLC)
- Bylaws Chair - Bridget Hollingsworth (HealthPlus of Michigan)
- Nominations Chair - Steve Schlicht (UAW Retiree/Local 467)
- United Way Liaison to Saginaw Community Foundation - Keith Wenzel (Chemical Bank)
- Saginaw Community Foundation Liaison to United Way - Smallwood Holoman (The Dow Chemical Company Retiree)
- Executive Committee Members at Large: Joyce Seals (Ezekial Project), Joseph J. Kiss (Bank of America), Barb Russell (Community Volunteer) and Bryan Gilleland (Frankenmuth Insurance)
In addition to the Executive Committee's leadership roles, 27 community members will also serve on the Board of Directors. Three community members have recently joined our board. We would like to welcome Bernice Butler (City of Saginaw), Stephen Jenkins (GM) and Melissa Spranger (Citizens Bank).
"Our Board of Directors play such an integral role in fulfilling our mission," said Cherrie J. Benchley, president/CEO. "We are excited to work with our dedicated board members in these new capacities and look forward to another successful year," added Benchley. |
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5 Minutes with a UWSC Board Member
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Name: Dave Youngstrom 
Title: Principal - Yeo & Yeo CPA's
and United Way of Saginaw County - First Vice Chair
How did you first become involved with United Way?
Yeo & Yeo has always had a culture of giving, and encouraged our employees to be involved in our community. So when the opportunity to take a step forward (thanks to Bob Gentner) came up I was very excited to have a chance to impact so many people in Saginaw County.
Where did you grow up? Bay City
Education: John Glenn High School and Saginaw Valley State University
What brought you to Saginaw County? Work brought us to Saginaw, but we moved here to raise our kids in our great community.
Family: My parents, Bob and Rose Youngstrom, currently live in Bay City. My wife, Michelle, and I have three wonderful children. Ashley (pictured) is a sophomore at Freeland High School and is active in softball and volleyball; Andrew is in 6th grade and is active in Boy Scouts Troop 323; and Abby is in 5th grade and is involved in competitive cheerleading and soccer in Saginaw.
Interests: I am a huge Detroit Tiger fan and try to get to every game I can when the kids have some down time.
Favorite United Way Event/Program: Holiday Wish List
What do you hope to gain from your involvement with United Way? I am really proud of the fact that we have continued to maximize the dollars that the United Way has put into the community over the past several years. So I would say the satisfaction of making a difference is what I have gained.
Anything else you would like to mention? Any board member would not be able to have the impact we have without the outstanding staff of the United Way. So I thank them for all that they do every day! |
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| Summer Office Hours | |
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, United Way of Saginaw County will operate during the following hours:
Monday through Thursday
* 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
* Closed between Noon and 1 p.m. for lunch
Friday
* 8 a.m. - Noon
You can reach United Way by calling (989) 755-0505. Or visit our website, www.UnitedWaySaginaw.org. |
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9th Annual Jason Richardson Golf Classic - 7.11.12 | |
Hosted at The Fortress in Frankenmuth, the 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, providing a sponsorship or donating a prize, please contact Kelly Johnson at (989) 755-0505, ext. 223.
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to golf or committed to a sponsorship.
Currently there are only 7 spots for golf teams still available. There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities. Visit the website for more event details. |
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Getting involved is fun! Here are a few highlighted volunteer opportunities in our community: | |
Make an impact in your community! Campaign Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising. Volunteers are needed August through December to help with soliciting local businesses.
You Scream, I Scream - We all Scream for Ice Cream - Volunteers are needed to sell ice cream for two hour shifts, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on June 16th at a local nonprofit.
Driver volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound seniors from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mileage reimbursement will be provided.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities or would like to get involved in the community, please contact Henrietta Watson at (989) 755-0505, ext. 216. |
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Submitted by a Delta College VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteer: | |
"I chose to be a VITA volunteer because I saw it as a great opportunity to learn while also helping the community. I heard about the VITA program last year from a classmate who actually did my family's taxes as part of the program. My major is accounting and I have always liked to work with numbers so I thought being part of this program could definitely benefit me. On the other hand, I wanted to be part of the organization and volunteer my time to help people with their income taxes. I know filing taxes can be a stressful time for some people and even with programs available online, there are still individuals out there who need help.
Overall, being part of VITA was a great and beneficial experience. I did not just learn a lot but also got to meet with a lot of nice people who really appreciated our help. VITA is a great program and it was an honor to be part of it. If my schedule allows me, I would like to volunteer again next year." |
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Community Service School Recap | |
Each year AFL-CIO Community Services Group holds a Community Service School. This year the group met at Black Lake, May 14 through May 18. During their week long training, more than 100 union leaders from across the state came together to receive the knowledge and tools necessary to serve their communities and assist displaced workers.
Part of the course is designed to teach the students about the United Way partnership with the Labor community as well as how important it is that they get involved with their local United Way, so they can help make their communities a better place to work and live. Other classes focus on board development, public speaking, social media tools and health and safety, just to name a few.
As part of the school, the group collected non-perishable food items and raised more than $1,500 for a local food pantry. |
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