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NMU President Les Wong and First Lady Phyllis Wong are the Campaign Co-chairs for 2009-10. |
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The United Way has reached 80% of its goal of $500,000. We thank all of our generous donors and encourage new people to join the campaign.
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Bridges kids and a grateful senior stand outside the house they painted and the flagpole they installed.
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Debbie Hatcher, Manager of Younkers in Marquette, not only encourages her associates to participate in the campaign, she is on the United Way Board and is a former campaign Co-chair. Debbie LIVES UNITED! |
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These local agencies will benefit from your generosity during the campaign:
2009 - 10 Member Agencies
Alger Marquette Community Action Board (A.M.C.A.B.)American Red Cross
Cancer Care of Marquette County
Janzen House
Lake Superior Village Youth Center
Lutheran Social Services
Negaunee Senior Center
Pathways to Healthy Living
Propylon Non-profit Housing
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.)
Salvation Army - Ishpeming
Salvation Army - Marquette
United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan
U.P. EMS
U.P. Library for the Blind
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Greetings!
Welcome to our first attempt at an online United Way newsletter. You are receiving this because you indicated an interest, and we're glad you did! This will give us the opportunity to keep our donors and supporters updated on what we're up to at the United Way, and more importantly, how the money you invest is being used.
We welcome your input, ideas and questions at any time. Just give us a call at (906) 226-8171 or drop me an e-mail at sminckler@uwmqt.org.
Sue Minckler, Campaign Coordinator |
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United Way Agency
Success Story
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The Bridges Program Links Recovering Youth with Local Seniors
Great Lakes Recovery Centers is an inconspicuous place, tucked neatly behind the bustling traffic on Presque Isle Boulevard. Once inside, the stir of active kids surrounds us. We were greeted by Jim Vermilyea, Program Director of the "Bridges" program. He invited us into his tiny office and began to tell the story of how his kids have made a difference in our local community through the Bridges program.
The Bridges program pairs youth from the Great Lakes Recovery Center with elderly participants with disabilities, who are referred from Pathways, another United Way member agency. The two groups come together once a week, visit and participate in a variety of activities. During these visits pairs begin to form and the bonds between the youth and elderly strengthen. These bonding activities not only provide important social interaction for the seniors, but allow the youth to feel good about themselves, knowing they are helping someone out.
While the program was taking place, one of the men happened to mention that he could use some help putting up a new flagpole at his house. A group of kids from GLRC offered to help him out. While they lent a hand with the flagpole, the kids noticed that his house really could use some fresh paint. One of the youth came to Jim and insisted that they help the man with his house. With that a group of kids took on the project of helping this man paint his entire house. Marquette Wallpaper and paint donated the materials and the kids took it from there.
Richard, Amanda, Andrew, and Jacob (see photo) were some of the many young adults who worked on the large project, and were interviewed for this article. Hesitant at first to open up, they eventually began talking about how big of an impact the Bridges program has had on them. Amanda said she would be looking for volunteer opportunities once she completed the program. The kids began to tell us about the program itself, but ended by telling us about all of the elderly people that have made a difference in their life. That is what the Bridges program is all about, building bridges and making relationships by bringing the elderly and these kids together for the benefit of both.
This story is the first of many that the United Way of Marquette County will share. Many of our donors want to know who is being impacted by the pledges they send, how their money is helping others here in Marquette County. To learn more about the United Way, or to make a pledge, please visit our website at www.uwmqt.org or call the office at (906) 226-8171. Or stop in to visit us at our office in Lakeview Arena on E. Fair Avenue in Marquette.
The interview and the story were done by Mandy Smith, an N.M.U. Social Work Student interning at United Way, and Beverly Hughes of United Way. |
Community Day for United Way!
Spend $5, save $10 and make a donation to a great cause! What could be better than that? Join us again for "Community Day" at Younkers. Buy a $5 coupon book from United Way, and we get to keep that money, and you end up with a coupon book full of money-savings coupons, including $10 off a purchase of $10 or more. You make money, we make money, and you have fun shopping.
The event takes place February 27th, or you can take advantage of their "pre-sell" option and do your shopping between Feb. 21-25 to get the savings and then pick up your merchandise after the sale.
Better yet, stop into our office in Lakeview Arena and buy several coupon books, which you can give away or sell to others. You may call us at (906) 226-8171 for more information.
Please help us make this a successful fundraiser to support the area nonprofits. And thank the great folks at Younkers for holding this special event for community groups to raise money.
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"Check Off" for the United Way Fund
This year the United Way of Marquette County is encouraging Michigan residents to "check off" for the United Way Fund on Michigan tax returns. Form 4642 on the 2009 income tax return will allow people to donate all or part of their 2009 Michigan tax return to the United Way Fund, a fund created to help Michigan's needy families with their most basic needs. The fund helps provide food, clothing and shelter for Michigan's low to moderate income families.
Given today's economic conditions and high unemployment in Michigan, more families are at risk than ever before and the need for assistance has never been greater. The Michigan Legislature has created a quick and easy way to donate resources that help ease the burden for many Michigan families. This year, please be sure to "check off" for the United Way Fund. All proceeds will directly benefit the United Way in your community. Giving has never been so easy.
The United Way of Marquette County, like most United Ways are experiencing increases in requests for funding and services from agencies, which are facing budget shortfalls. At the same time, fewer people are able to make the donations they might have in the past, so fundraising has been a bit of a struggle. The Michigan tax check off is an easy and painless way to help those in our community. |
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United Way of Marquette County
(906) 226-8171 www.uwmqt.org
P.O. Box 73 Marquette, MI 49855 | |
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