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United Way of the

Eastern Upper Peninsula

GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER.

ENEWS FROM YOUR UNITED WAY

Greetings from United Way!

The Real Value of Your Donation

'Tis the season for giving!

While you are planning what gifts you will give the people on your list this holiday season, remember to consider a gift to a local non-profit. And as any budget-conscious holiday shopper does, look for ways to get the biggest bang for your buck. So if you are going to make a charitable donation this year, consider opportunities to give in a way that multiplies your donation so it can have an even greater impact.

How can you measure the impact of your donation in terms of the value it has for a charity? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Company Matching Funds - Does your employer match charitable donations? Some companies have a matching gift program that matches employee donations to non-profits dollar-for-dollar. With an employer match, your $1 donation could easily become a $2 donation! Or perhaps even more, as some matching programs are even more generous.
Matching Grants - Non-profit agencies have opportunities and access to apply for matching grant funds. These may be available through state or government grant programs, or local grants through organizations such as Rotary. Dollars available for a matching grant may include individual donor contributions as well as company matching gifts, increasing the value of the donor's dollar even more.
Tax Deductions - While the dollars you might save through a personal tax deduction do not multiply the donation to the non-profit, they do provide you with added incentive and the ability to be more generous in your contribution.

So as you consider a charitable gift this year, keep in mind that United Way actively seeks to maximize donor contributions where possible through matching grants, allowing your dollars to have an even greater impact on the local community.

Together we can be the difference.

Tracey Laitinen

Executive Director

United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula

tracey@unitedwayeup.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnitedWayEUP

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/traceyordiway/helping-our-community-thrive/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayEUP

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTXHKYAQsfgUXsVb5uFmWA

AmeriCorps Progress Update

Happy New Year!

This new year brings with it new possibilities and a brand new set of goals for me. Most of you know that I was able to sign on for a second year of AmeriCorps service. What some of you may not know is what I'll actually be doing for this second year. My 2013 year of service had me serving in conjunction with the Department of Human Services to educate the public about their new online benefit access system. I had the chance to sit down with several of you to discuss how MI Bridges works and what it means for benefit access and management in the years to come. I had such great feedback and was welcomed into the community with gusto. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that.

My hope is that I will generate just as much interest, if not more, for my 2014 service! This year, I will be stepping out of my Community Resource Navigator title and stepping into my brand new AmeriCorps Financial Empowerment Coach role.

As a Financial Empowerment Coach through AmeriCorps, I will be able to sit down with your clients and help them asses their financial situation, manage a budget, figure out what kind of banking practices will best meet their needs and even find a way to start saving for the future. As the year progresses, I will continue to offer basic budgeting and banking workshops in Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac counties; I'll be getting the word out to the public by attending events and visiting organizations with informational flyers and brochures (much like I did with MI Bridges!); and I will be meeting with clients one-on-one to address their financial emergencies and concerns. I will still be able to meet with clients in the field - whether that's at a local library, in your office, or another public spot with internet accessibility. A typical first session with me will include a formal intake for your client to sign paperwork - including a confidentiality agreement - and go over a financial assessment with them. We'll discuss needs and goals, as well as how to help them out of that vicious emergency assistance cycle that many find themselves in - especially regarding utilities during our harsh winter months.

I will be available to your organization to host budget/banking workshops specifically for your clients - no minimum participation required. I can also work with your organization to devise a working relationship that benefits both you and the client - for instance, let's say your organization provides heating assistance for someone whose gas seems to be behind the same time every few months or every year. You decide that it would be nice to be able to send them to someone to talk about a better way to budget and plan for their heat bill every month - that's where I come in. You can refer clients to me for a specific period of time (maybe you want them to attend a workshop on budgeting, or perhaps you'd like to know that they've signed up to meet with a finance coach quarterly for the next year before you okay an assistance payment); then I can notify you that your client did in fact make contact with me. Once this has happened, you're able to make note of it in their client file. The hope is that by giving people access to someone who is able to show them where money is being spent and why it is important to budget for future expenses, there will be fewer people who look at emergency assistance as a built-in way of paying bills. It's a lofty goal for sure in our economy, but I'm planning on spending the next 12 months trying!

Changes, changes and more changes!

I am also very excited about United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula's new MI Bridges kiosks. For those who may not have heard, you are now able to refer any client that needs to manage or apply for new DHS benefits to the United Way EUP office! Two computer kiosks have been set up in the office - anyone can stop in and access their DHS MI Bridges account during United Way office hours. No appointment is necessary if this person is capable of using the computer on their own. If you're working with a client that needs help applying online or setting up their DHS MI Bridges online account you can now refer them to Stephen Carey who is a certified MI Bridges Navigator for United Way of the EUP. For more information, or to inquire about appointment times, feel free to contact Steve by calling 906.632.3700 ext. 3 or by email Stephen@unitedwayeup.org.

If you'd like to speak with me about how my Financial Empowerment Coach role could benefit your agency or clients, please contact me - americorps@unitedwayeup.org or by phone 906.632.3700 ext.4.

Please also note, I will continue to be available for any organization that would like to train its staff or volunteers to become MI Bridges Navigators. You can contact me directly to discuss scheduling or, for more information, please visit.

http://mibenefitsaccess.org/partners/become-a-partner/

Raulaniesa Aranda

AmeriCorps Financial Empowerment Coach

Your Gift CAN Make a Difference...

When people are hurting you help. Your charitable gift touches those in need today. The world's problems aren't easy to solve, but your gifts build solutions. The charitable organizations you support right here in the Eastern Upper Peninsula also touch the future. They will be creating your vision for a better world long after your lifetime. Their work, and the lives they touch, can be your legacy. Read more...

Rodenroth Motors has hit a milestone!

This year they raised $1,808 and increased their giving by 48%. We are proud to say that Rodenroth Motors has supported United Way of the EUP for more than 12 years.

L to R: Stephanie Miller, Paul Phelps, Robert Conner, Sally Williams, Lisa Cryderman, Steve Rodenroth, Tracey Laitinen-Director UWEUP, Rebecca Fegan, Shawn Horton

Spotlight Recognition

October 2013

Individual
-
Randy Krause - Over 5 years ago, Randy Krause organized a small group of young adults with disabilities to help boost their self-esteem. It began as a small art club allowing these individuals to express themselves creatively. Randy encouraged their talents by providing her own time, materials, and ideas to help them along. Since then the group has grown to around 8 young adults meeting once a week for 2 hours. In addition to artwork, the group has become a social outlet giving the members a chance to share their experiences. Randy has gone above and beyond to provide this opportunity, even arranging birthday celebrations with food and cake for each member. The art class currently meets every Monday at 3 o'clock in the Westbridge apartment's community room. Anyone with a disability or who is facing physical or mental challenges is welcome to attend.

Group - Hospice Calendar Girls Volunteers - The 2013 Hospice Calendar featured ladies from across the Eastern Upper Peninsula tastefully portrayed in a various stages of undress performing a variety of activities ranging from playing cards, to fishing. Hospice Board Members, Hilary Galey and Nancy Mongene coordinated the project, and Jude McConkey volunteered her time to take the photographs. Several ladies posed in the calendar and many local businesses were sponsors or provided in-kind donations for the calendar which sold for $10 a copy. In total the calendar raised 20,100 for the Hospice of the EUP.

Business

Shhhh, they haven't been surprised yet!

Click here for previous winners and pictures!

Latest Inventory List of items you can purchase at our Local EUP Food Bank.

Click here to see what we have!

2013 Project Homeless Event Report for Chippewa Co. held Nov. 7th

Number of Guests Served: 151

Number of Male Guests: 37

Number of Female Guests: 114

Number of children (0 - 18 yrs): 129

Number of guests who stated they were homeless: 5

Number of guests who stated they were doubled up or couch surfing: 12

Number of guests who stated they were unemployed: 114

Number of guests who stated they were a veteran: 13

For the FULL report click here.

www.UPVolunteer.org

Have you used www.UPVolunteer.org yet? This is a great resource for both volunteers and organizations.

Are you interested in volunteering? Browse opportunities throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Create an account and you can express interest in opportunities with one click!

Do you have an organization that regularly uses volunteers? UPVolunteer.org lets you create and post volunteer opportunities, and will notify you whenever anyone is interested in helping out.

If you have a business and would like to start an employee volunteer program UPVolunteer.org can help you too! Register your business, answer a short questionnaire and your employees can access volunteer opportunities specifically recommended for your business.

Take a few minutes and check what www.UPVolunteer.org can do for you. If you have any questions or need help getting started, email Stephen or call 906-632-3700 x3.

Santa came to town

December 4th was the annual Luce County Merry Christmas Community Dinner held at the American Legion Hall in Newberry. Every year the Luce County Link, The Newberry High School Key Club, and the United Way of the EUP partner to plan this community event.

Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the Newberry area Girl Scouts sign Christmas Carols

Santa and Mrs. Claus came to light the community tree in front of the American Legion and then joined the Newberry area Girl Scouts in signing Christmas Carols. Afterwards everyone was invited inside for a community dinner featuring turkey with all the trimmings with 250 meals being served. Over 300 children waiting in line for a chance to get a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. In addition to a warm dinner and visits with Santa, the evening also featured music provided by DJ Sparky, Travis Freeman from Oldies 93 broadcasting live, and a silent auction of Christmas ornaments decorated by Luce County students and artists.

The elves took a moment for a picture before Santa showed up and put them to work

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy dinner and see Santa, and to all the volunteers and groups that worked hard to plan and put on this great community event!

New Federal Report Finds 1 in 4 Americans Volunteer

A new national study by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) shows that volunteering is a priority for millions of Americans. Among the reports findings:

Altogether, 64.5 million Americans volunteered nearly 7.9 billion hours last year. The estimated value of this volunteer service is nearly $175 billion, based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour.

The top activities included fundraising or selling items to raise money (25.7%); collecting, preparing, distributing, or serving food (23.8%); engaging in general labor or transportation (19.8%); or tutoring or teaching (17.9%).

Volunteering has trended upward among Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1981) over the past eleven years, increasing nearly 5.5 percentage points during that period.

The volunteer rate of parents with children under age 18 (33.5 percent) remained higher than the population as a whole (26.5 percent) and for persons without children (23.8 percent).

Volunteers are almost twice as likely to donate to charity as non-volunteers. Eight in 10 (79.2%) volunteers donated to charity, compared to four in 10 (40.4%) non-volunteers. Overall, half of all citizens (50.7%) donated at least $25 to charity in 2012.

For more results of the study and customizable data sets visit http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/national

Girl Scout Cookies

The 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program runs January 10-March 23. Girls will be taking orders in January and direct selling at booth sales in late February-March.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business and one of the most respected financial literacy programs in the world. Girls who participate in the Cookie Program get hands-on entrepreneurial experience and learn five key skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. When you purchase a box of Girl Scout cookies, you are supporting local girls as they reach their goals and learn essential skills that they'll carry with them throughout their lives.

After paying our cookie baker, every penny earned during the Cookie Program stays local: a portion stays with our Council to provide services to our girls, and the rest to the troop selling the cookies.

Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, known as Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH in Michigan, provides older adults who qualify with unprocessed, Michigan-grown products from authorized farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan.

Qualified older adults and Wisewoman participants recieve coupons that are used to purchase Michigan-grown produce at registered roadside stands and farmers markets. Eligible items include: berries, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, beans, honey, and more.

The program is free for both the participant and the farmer. It's truly a win-win for Michigan farmers and older adults!

This will be the 3rd year that United Way of the EUP has reimbursed coupons for 54 farmers in the E.U.P. that have accepted these coupons from seniors. Each year the program has grown and to date (as of Dec 20th) we have reimbursed almost $5,000 to local farmers! MSU Extension distributes the coupons and this Spring they handed out $6000, or $2000 in each of the EUP's 3 counties. WIC distribution numbers have not been reported yet.

For more information on how to sign up to accept these coupons from the public contact United Way of the EUP-Tracey Laitinen at 906-632-3700 or tracey@unitedwayeup.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our Annual Volunteer Luncheon Thank You Event at LSSU will be held in April 2014. Please help us get the word out to any students that volunteer that we need them to contact us with their hours of service to be recognized at this event.

For more info click here!

The Affordable Health Care Act

-know before you go-

Click here to read a helpful document on how to calculate your tax credits and more!

Protect the Charitable Tax Deduction! #ProtectGiving As political leaders in Washington, D.C. focus on deficit reduction and tax reform, there are proposed harmful changes to the charitable tax deduction. Doing away with the charitable deduction at a time when people are still reeling from the recession and facing the consequences of government cutbacks is bad timing and bad logic. Add your voice to the effort by signing the change.org petition to protect giving.

Losing your home? Do you know someone who may be struggling to remain in their home?

Click here to learn more about how one of our United Way agencies could possibly help you or someone you know Today!

Salvation Army's Hours and Services

Food Pantry Hours

10am-3pm Monday thru Friday for social services including the food pantry. Clients fill out application and present a picture ID and SS#'s for household members.

Breakfast M-F 8:30-9:30am

Lunch M-F 12-12:30pm

Dining Hall open until 1pm

Breadrack

Distribution of perishable food items begins at 9:30am

Clothing and Furniture Vouchers

Based on emergency or need. Clients complete application with caseworker.

Utility Assistance

As funding is available. Clients must call to set an appointment with the caseworker.

Personal Care Products

Clients can fill out application to receive products every 3 months.

Diane Peppler Center Wishlist:

Laundry Soap

Dryer Sheets

Baby Products

Towels

Diapers /any size

Unscented lotions

Deodorant

Shampoo

Toothpaste

Conditioner

Socks

Gift Cards

Children's Toys

Old Cellphones to recycle

Baby Shampoo

Nail Clippers

Sewing Kits

If you are able to donate, please call us at

(906) 635-0566, or stop by our office.

V O L N T E E R

All that's missing is
U

To learn more about how you can Volunteer email Stephen@UnitedWayEUP.org

Tell him you want to sign up for the Volunteer e-letter.

Do you know what is going on at your local library?

Bayliss Library

St. Ignace Public Library

Pickford Library

Tahquamenon Library

If you know of anyone who needs home repairs in the following communities, please send the completed forms to the address on the bottom of the form by April 1, preferably:

Germfask, Curtis, McMillan, Seney, Grand Marais, Engadine, Newberry, Hulbert, Eckerman, or Paradise.

We can not do electrical, plumbing, windows or doors. We can build wheelchair ramps, porch entrances, hang drywall, paint, side homes, lay down rolled linoleum flooring, clean yards, help in cleaning homes. We do not work on buildings or structures that are not part of the living structure of the home (not garages, sheds, pole barns, etc.). We can install fences to help for children or animals close to the home.

Our mission teams of volunteers from all over the place - work on projects in the months of June and July. We do not have volunteers that are with us during the year and so can not unfortunately really help with projects during the school year.

Shalom,

Katie Peterson

Deaconess and Church and Community Worker Advance number 982942 Director of God's Country Cooperative Parish PO Box 382, Paradise, MI 49768

www.gbgm-umc.org/gccp

Upcoming Farmer's Markets & Food Related Activities

Sault Ste. Marie Farmer's Market

Meet the People that Grow YOUR Food

Sault Winter Farmers' Market returns to Bayliss Library for the third year. Saturday from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

There will be two markets in December, and then the market will resume in January and continue into May, as in other years. It is in the planning stages, but you should expect to see many of your favorite vendors returning with consumables and wearables.

Contact Volunteer Market Master Teri Foust if you would like to become a Vendor or ask questions

terifoust@gmail.com

Hospice Wish List

Coffee

Styrofoam Cups

Bleach

Baby Wipes

Windex

Toilet Paper

Spaghetti & Macaroni Noodles

Mayonnaise

Canned Pop

All donations are greatly appreciated. If you are able to make a donation please stop by the Hospice House or call 906-259-0222

For the month of November 2013, CHAC screened 87 clients and completed 61 enrollments, bringing our current total to 783 enrolled clients in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties. CHAC completed 196 referrals to other community programs. CHAC's volunteers and placement workers contributed 71 hours this month! Thank you to everyone who has made these numbers possible.

Hearthside Assisted Living Wish-list

Making a list and checking it twice.....

Every year our community's generosity spills over into our Hearthside family. I am always asked "what do the residents need?" or "what would they like". We have comprised an annual "wish list" for those who are curious or at a loss for gift ideas.

We are accepting donations of gift baskets and treats, monetary donations, and any other donations for gifts for our residents. We would love it if we could have each resident receive at least one gift and a stocking. We already have the stockings but need items to put in them. We do have names of a few residents who may be in a little more need of Holiday cheer than usual. Please make sure that when you are sending your own loved ones gifts that you put their name on the item in permanent marker and also directly on the packages. Keep in mind we have over 50 "moms or dads" under one roof.

Here are some gift ideas:

A. Twin sized bedding: Fitted & flat sheets, warm blankets/quilts/ comforters, pillows and pillow cases

B. Night gowns of all sizes and men's pajamas. Both men's and women's items needed in all sizes up to 2XL.

C. Individual Bulletin Boards no smaller than 3 foot by 2 foot and no bigger than 4 foot by 3 foot for each room.

D. Clothing Protectors (adult bibs)

E. Rolling Cart storage units: The four drawer size

F. Eye Glass Chains

G. Dial A Ride Bus Passes ($7.50 and great for outings and are good for 11 trips)

H. Hats, Mittens, Socks, Knee High Panty Hose, Scarves

I. DVD Holiday Movies

J. Travel, Documentary or Historical DVDs

K. Boxed Candy (both sugar free and regular)

L. Word Searches, Crosswords, and EZ Grip 300 piece or less jigsaw puzzles

M. Room Fresheners (no candles please)

N. Jackets and Sweaters for both men and women

O. Wheel Chair and Walker Caddy/Organizers

P. Monetary Donations are always welcome

Stocking Stuffer ideas:

Travel sized toiletries such as deodorant, lotions, chap sticks, regular sized shampoos, body washes and body wash puffs, nail polish, nail care kits, nail files, nail brushes, hair brushes, combs, denture cups, pencils, Candy Canes and other candies or light snacks.

If you are able to make a donation, please stop by Hearthside or call (906)635-6911