United Way of the

Eastern Upper Peninsula

May 2014 United Way Monthly eNewsletter

 We asked and YOU responded.  Since our large follow-up plea went out

in March we have received almost $7,500 in the month of April.  This was donated by some of the almost 500 previous donors that had not given, as well as many donors that felt that they could give again.

$7,500 might not seem like much to some, but that can provide #7500 meals, 625 shelter nights, backpacks for several years for Project Backpack and a LOT MORE!  Thank you, thank you, and thank you again for all your time, assistance in getting the word out and for your donations.  We know that many employees are living paycheck to paycheck and have not received raises in many years as well as have seen benefits such as healthcare and other costs rise.  We know this is a tough time and we feel like we are in it with you.  

SAVE THE DATE-Project Backpack will be August 15th. 

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

Hello again!

I have been serving far and wide across our 3-county region to bring free financial empowerment services to families and individuals wherever I am able. I've held workshops in Newberry, Sault Ste. Marie, and Kinross and I'm looking forward to organizing more in the coming weeks.  Like most of you, I spent last month dodging snow storms trying to get back and forth to meetings and appointments. With clearer roads, I'll be able to spend even more time in our outlying areas like Curtis, DeTour, Paradise and all towns and villages in between. I'm in the middle of planning some summer family workshops to bring money-skill information to children and the adults in their lives in several areas including Pickford, DeTour and Cedarville. I'm also working on some collaborative efforts with other service agencies to create a workshop or two filled with some great Do-It-Yourself fun for adults and older teens.

May will have me booked once again for events and projects! 

 On May 8th, you'll find me serving with some awesome students from Malcolm High School at Hearthside Assisted Living Facility in Sault Ste. Marie. We'll be doing some spring cleaning and garden prep work again for them this year! The students are excited to help out and I know the residents at Hearthside look forward to seeing them. If you have an hour or two to spare May 8, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. please join us! May 17th will have me in St. Ignace at their annual 'Super Saturday' Children's Celebration and 4-H Expo. It'll be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Bear East Ice Arena. There was such a great turn-out last year. I can't wait to see everyone again!

It's also that time of year where I start looking ahead at the end of summer already. I know what you're thinking, it's just barely spring and here I am rushing summer already. I can't help it! There is so much to do to get ready for the Mackinac County Back to School Carnival! I'll be helping to host it again this year in conjunction with the Mackinac County Community Care Connections event (a.k.a. Project Connect) and Project Backpack. It'll be one big block party! Keep your calendar open for August 27th if you'd like to volunteer and clown around with us.

I'll also be popping up through the month at various United Way of the EUP sponsored events to talk financial empowerment and my AmeriCorps service, including the Stamp Out Hunger Postal Food Drive on May 10th and the Sven Heikkinen Memorial Golf outing on May 15th. If you see me, be sure to say 'Hi'!

Did you know that we have a College Access Network right in our own backyard? 

To learn more about EUP CAN DO IT and our local statistics please visit:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/EUP-CAN-Do-It/171864139526089 on Facebook or http://www.micollegeaccess.org/directory/lcan/eup-can-do-it on the web.  Holly, the director, can answer any questions you may have.  EUP CAN DO IT wants to make srue that EVERY graduating Senior in the EUP knows that they need some type of additional education to be successful in today's workforce. 

For the full report click here.  VERY interesting.

Sault Ste. Marie Farmer's Market

The Sault Ste. Marie Farmers' Market is searching for volunteer Market Masters to help with setup, take down and help answer customer questions during the open market time.  Where else can you hang out with the People that Grow Your Food? P,ease contact Cindy Dutcher at dutchfarm@sault.com if you want to hang out with these great EUP families.

 Pickford Farmer's Market

V O L  N T E E R

On Friday, May 23rd, The Lunch Box box will be out 'raising some dough' for the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Stop by the parking lot at Greater Peninusal Orthepedics between 10am and 5:30pm and pick up a delicious Indian Taco or try some of The Lunch Boxes other FryBread Creations. The Lunch Box will donate 50% of their proceeds for the day to support the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula and our Partner Agencies.

• Repair/Replacement of windows, exteriors, doors, and roof.
• Air-sealing measures such as caulking or weatherstripping.
• Insulation of pipes, skirting, roof area/attic

Over 300 people and 30 service groups and area businesses attended the United Way of the EUP's Annual Thank you Event yesterday. The Event celebrates volunteers from Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties and awards them for the past 12 months of hard work and dedication.

This year's speaker was David Price. Mr. Price is the Executive Director of MARO, the association representing providers of employment and training services for persons with disabilities and other barriers. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, he was the Assistant Director from 1987 to 1994, and the Project Director from 1983 to 1987. From 1976 to 1983 he worked at MOARC, a community rehabilitation organization in Paris, Michigan. David spoke about some struggles he faced in his own life and how support from family, friends and countless volunteers was crucial in his recovery.

David Price shares a story how volunteers helped him through a difficult period.

Michigan Student Service Award recipients included three students from Pickford High School: Camden Ledy, Noah Brooks, and Courtney Spence; four students from Sault High School, Cory Matkovich, Heather Gregg, Melissa Buhro, and Katherine Doty; and one student from Rudyard High School, Bryce Suggitt.  Each of these students volunteered over 400 hours of their time over the course of their High School Career. MSSA recipients were given a certificate from Governor Rick Snyder and a medallion to wear at graduation.

Presidential Service Award recipients were Christopher Jago, and Neal Pavlat from Malcolm High School in Sault Ste. Marie, and Bryce Suggitt, from Rudyard High School.  Each student received a pin to wear at graduation, a letter and certificate from President Obama.  In total all 10 students volunteered over 6,600 service hours.

Michigan Student Service Award recipients. Each student volunteered over 400 hours during their high school career.

Annual Spotlight Recognition winners were also announced during the luncheon.  All year long the United Way collects nominations for Individual Volunteer, Group, and Business Neighbor of the month and then then Volunteer Advisory Board votes on the monthly and overall winners for the year. 

Subway was named Business Neighbor of the Year.  Nominated by Hospice of the EUP, Tom and Laura Fornicola, through their Subway Franchise, have generously supported the Robert and Helen Ball Hospice House. When 15-20 family members are gathered around a loved one and food is the last thing on their minds, a beautifully prepared tray of subs arrives "just for them!" It is not just about a platter of subs, but a sign of caring for others and bringing a family and friends together at a time when the support of one another is needed most. Recently, Subway even supplied food for an "end of life party" that will remain in the memories and hearts of family members for years to come.

In addition to the Fornicola's generosity to Hospice of the EUP, they contribute to the community in many other ways, such as Providing coupons to hand out as part of bike and boater safety programs; Creating a reading incentive program at St Mary's School; and food for the volunteers at the I-500, and Relay for Life.   

The Group of the Year was Malcolm Students Offering Service (MSOS). Nominated by Hearthside Assisted Living, MSOS is made up of a group of students from Malcolm High School who participate in service learning activities throughout the community. One local organization the group has adopted is Hearthside Assisted Living where they are known as the Malcolm Miracles. The students are always helpful with the residents and are always available to assist with anything Hearthside needs. Malcolm students chaperon monthly shopping trips, help decorate Hearthside for holidays and other special occasions, and assist with activities like bowling and bingo. The student's regular visits to Hearthside promote self-esteem and a sense of belonging to some of the less active residents and generally brighten the resident's days. Since 2011 students from Malcolm High School have made 52 visits to Hearthside and volunteered over 1300 hours helping with residents and working around the facility.    This year's Volunteer of the Year was George Major of Newberry, MI.  Retired from a 45 year career as a truck drive, George has been volunteering for Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinaw counties' Department of Human Services for the last 10 years as a driver, and also volunteers as a driver for Upper Peninsula Health out of Marquette. George takes individuals in these counties to medical appointments all over the state as needed. For the Department of Human Services alone George has driven over 954 times. On those trips George has travelled over 186,606 miles and volunteered 13,211 hours of his time to driving patients to their appointments. For the last three years he has taken a woman to dialysis appointments three times a week (every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) from Newberry to Marquette faithfully. He leaves at 4:30 a.m. and returns home around 2:00 p.m. Other days, George takes anyone else if asked.

Soo Co-op Credit Union was recognized as a finalist in the small business category for the Spirit of Michigan Award. The Spirit of Michigan Award is given out annually by the Michigan Association of United Ways to recognize small, medium and large Michigan companies that demonstrate community engagement strategies in the areas of health, income and education. Awardees are selected for their leadership in improving Michigan communities and focusing on the common good through corporate and employee engagement.

Tom and Laura Fornicola from Subway, Spotlight Business of the Year

Spotlight Individual of the Year, George Major

Thank you to all the nominees and award recipients!  For more information on how to nominate a person, group, or business that you know is deserving please visit our website at www.UnitedWayEUP.org or contact Stephen at 632-3700.  We hope you can join us next April during National Volunteer Week! 

Every day, volunteers across the Upper Peninsula give of their time and talents for the benefit of others. Their pay is often no more than a smile from someone they helped. The U.P. Volunteer Network invites you to recognize and celebrate outstanding volunteers and community-minded organizations and businesses by nominating them for the 2014 U.P. Service Awards. 

 Make your nominations today! Download the complete the nomination form.

Recipients will be honored during a special luncheon at the U.P. Nonprofit Conference on October 9, 2014 at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.  

To view past U.P. Service Awards recipients visit www.upvolunteer.org. For questions, contact Linda Remsburg. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

More Information...

Food drive information...

Lunch Box details and Pre-orders

MI Bridges Information 

For agencies and organizations looking to become a MI Bridges Navigation Partner, or those that need more of their staff trained, a request for training can be submitted by filling out the MI Bridges Training Request Form

For more information on the process of becoming a Navigation Partner, visit the  Becoming a MI Bridges Partner section of the  Michigan Benefits Access site.