United Way of the

Eastern Upper Peninsula

What makes United Way different...

Citizen's Review Panels also known as CRP's in our office are just one way that United Way is different from other not-for-profits.

Each year we fundraise and then to help us determine HOW to allocate funds, we ask the public to participate in CRP's to determine, essentially, WHO gets HOW MUCH.  

If you are interested in the process OR better yet, have time to participate and score our agencies on Thursday, February 13th, please email or call me and I can sign you up.  You do not have to be a donor to participate but you need to live in our coverage area (Chippewa, Luce or Mackinac County).  

This is a GREAT way to learn about the nuts and bolts of United Way and all the mysterious and awesome things that United Way, along with the 18 agencies asking for funds this year, do to make our community a better place to live.

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

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, The Newberry Area Chamber of Commerce 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

 

Sault Ste. Marie Farmer's Market

Contact Volunteer Market Master Teri Foust if you would like to become a Vendor or ask questions terifoust@gmail.com

Pickford Farmer's Market

The Pickford Farmer's Market is seeking a VOLUNTEER to manage the 2014 season. Please contact (906)647-8500 with questions or to express interest.

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.

Read more...

On January 20th, The United Way of the EUP and the Engadine Consolidated Schools partnered to assemble food baskets as part of the MLK National Day of Service. During the month of January Life Skills Teacher Mrs. Klobucher, and EUPISD Service Learning Americorps*VISTA Nicole Kilgore developed lessons plans where students from Mrs. Klubacher's 1rst hour Service Learning class listened to Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech and explored quotes on citizenship and service from Martin Luther King Jr. Each student created a poster with a pledge of one thing they would do for their school, their community, and their family. During the week of January 13-17, the students created brochures on nutritional eating.  On Monday, January 20th, the class assembled 24 food kits that were distributed to local families by the United Way and area AmeriCorps members later that day.

Students from Mrs. Klobucher's Service Learning class with some of the assembled food bags.

Through this project the Engadine School and the United Way were able to distribute food for over 50 Engadine area residents. Funding for this project was provided by grants through the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), Volunteer Centers of Michigan (VCM), Michigan Campus Compact (MiCC), and The LEAGUE Michigan.

Packed food bag along with brochures created by the Service Learning class in Engadine.

The MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service - a "day on, not a day off." The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community." 

Effective January 7, 2014, the Pickford Community Library will have additional operating hours to serve you on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  We look forward to an exciting year of great books, great programs, and great fellowship.

New Library Hours

Tues. and Thurs.   1-8
Wed. and Fri.   10-4
Sat.   10-3

UPCOMING EVENTS

 Read more...

Know how to navigate the system and deadlines....Read more here.

V O L  N T E E R

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.

Advance number 982942 Director of God's Country Cooperative Parish PO Box 382, Paradise, MI 49768