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Greetings from United Way! Did you receive our August mailer yet? If you have then you should see that we highlighted some programs and projects that the community has been asking more about. These include Removing Barriers to Education (RBE). School can be hard enough, and if you are falling behind and you don't have a good family support, it may not be as simple as just trying harder. Since 2012 we have been able to reach out to students at Malcolm and most recently at Kincheloe and find out what is going on behind the scenes to see if we can assist these students in getting back on track. Some students are raising their siblings, some have to work as mom or dad is disabled and work cuts into the school day, some live in homes where the utilities have been turned off so they haul water and shower elsewhere and have limited cooking ability, some parents sell the food monies they receive (bridge cards) and these students have little to survive.
June 2014-Kincheloe Alternative High School, a Consolidated Community School (CCSS), to learn more about local business and to put in some sweat equity at the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CC EDC). CCSS are a consortium of seven local school districts providing alternative, adult and community education programs and the Kincheloe site serves approximately 34 students ages 14-20.
L to R: Joe Servia-KAS Lead Teacher, Billie Jo Ennes-KAS Paraprofessional, Tim Gregory-CC EDC Maintenance Supervisor, Tammy Beaseau-CC EDC Airport Manager, Shelby Fhlug, Brandon Johnson, Kimberly Munoz, Nicole Mahar, Cole Maahs, Jacob McQuade, Jessy Farley, Shyanne Rolston-Rudd, Tracey Laitinen-Director UWEUP and Raulaniesa Aranda-AmeriCorps Financial Empowerment Coach at UWEUP
The above scenarios are more common than you would think and until we started running programs such as RBE we didn't know as much as we do now. Through United Way we have been able to work with about 20+ students from each school and help get them what they need to be successful. This includes food in the form of easy to cook meals, shoes, clothing, identification to get jobs, opening bank accounts to cash employer checks, budgeting, and a lot of it is just listening to them. We work on future goals and were even able to set up a trip to Alpena Community College! If you want to get involved there isn't a better time! School will be in session soon and we would like to branch out into other alternative schools in the EUP but don't have enough hands to do it. Call today-906-632-3700x2. Save the date for some upcoming events!
- Sept 20th Run in the mud and climb over obstacles in the NEW Mosquito Dash
- Sept 29 LSSU's Hockey Spaghetti Dinner at the CCHall from 430-7pm.
- U.P. Non-Profit Conference Oct 9th NMU.
- Community Pig Roast at the Sault Blue Devils Football Game vs. Escanaba on Oct 17th
- Chili Cook-off November 10th
Together we can be the difference.
Tracey Laitinen
Executive Director
United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula
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Americorps Progress Update
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It's back to school time again! Families are slowly getting back into their fall schedules and are hopefully starting to look ahead to fall and winter expenses. No need to panic though, there are resources locally that can help ease you back into it all.
Summer is a time for play, and we don't always give our household budgets a lot of thought until the reality of a long winter hits us. I can help you get ahead of some of that inevitable financial stress through one-on-one coaching or group workshops where you can learn new-to-you techniques and find out what other families are doing to help get them through the fall.
I'm busy putting together some great workshops in the tri-county community so be sure to watch our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest feeds to find out all the details! Workshops will include:
- Family Budgeting - tips on how to get the whole family on board for saving!
- JKL Bahweting PAC's School Success Workshop for parents - the PAC group has come together to give JKL Bahweting parents a venue to discuss money dilemmas and look at ways to impact household budgets in a positive way. This group will be held Monday, September 15th 5:30-7 p.m. at the school and is open to parents and guardians of JKL Bahweting students.
- Don't go broke! - you'll learn some new techniques to take the stress out of bill paying and still have a few dollars to get you through the month
For more information give me a call 906-632-3700 ext.4 or email americorps@unitedwayeup.org!
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June Spotlight Recognition
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Individual - Beverly Kay Mahar has volunteered her time and talent to the people of the Newberry area for the last 20 years. Kay has taken pictures and nearly every community event, including Valentine's Day dances, Easter events, Fourth of July, Halloween events and takes all the kids pictures with Santa at the Newberry Merry Christmas community dinner. Hundreds of children and adults have benefited from the kindness and compassion shown from Kay each year.
Group - War Memorial Hospital Volunteers include a very diverse group. Volunteers make up the WMH Auxiliary group, Helping Hands volunteers and the Road to Recovery Drivers. In 2013 War Memorial Hospitals Volunteers gave approximately 24,000 hours in 2013. Some of the activities and task WMH volunteers handle include Information Desk, Surgical Waiting Room, attending Health Fairs and other Special Events, working the Mail Room, helping with Materials Management, Clerical support, Driving radiation patients to Petosky, running errands around the hospital. In addition the hospitals gift shop is completely staffed and managed by volunteers!
The majority of donated time is directed at the improved experience of patients and staff at War Memorial Hospital. The volunteers also help War Memorial Hospital and Road to Recovery by helping with fundraisers and special events. The Ladies Auxiliary alone raised over $50,000 last year.
Business Neighbor - The Chi Mukwa "Big Bear" Recreation Center has donated space at their facility during the winter months for the Great Start Parent Coalition's weekly playgroup. This playgroup is hugely attended by area families with children ages birth to four years old. The weekly playgroup provides a valuable opportunity for these children get out during winter months for some physical activity and develop social skills interacting with other kids. The Great Start's partnership with Big Bear has been greatly appreciated by the parents involved. The group of parents also have taken the initiative to meet through the summer at playgrounds.
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Chippewa County Students get Ready for School
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Friday, August 15th saw the return of Project Backpack to VanCitter's field in Sault Ste. Marie. This annual partnership between the United Way of the EUP, The Salvation Army, and the Department of Human Services provides backpacks and school supplies to get Chippewa County youth prepared to return to school.
This year was the 4th Project Backpack Chippewa County and the event was expanded to include backpacks and supplies for students in 7th and 8th grade as well as pre-K through 6th grade as in years past. In addition to backpacks and supplies this fun family event included bounce houses and a hotdog lunch, vision screening provided by the Lions Club, Child ID kits courtesy of the Masons Club, and a Feeding American Mobile Pantry with groceries for attending families. Over 240 families attended Project Backpack and 502 backpacks were given out to Chippewa County students. The Lions Club provided 45 vision screenings and the Masons gave out 43 ID kits. Over 150 families were able to bring home a box of groceries as well.
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Volunteers sort donated supplies for packing into the backpacks at the Salvation Army.
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The Project Backpack event is the culmination of several events and projects that take place throughout the summer. Starting in July, 11 area businesses and organizations hosted Project Backpack School Buses, or held their own supply drive, to collect backpacks and supplies. In August, volunteers participated in a Stuff the Bus event at Wal-Mart, handing out shopping lists, collecting supplies, and helping give out information for the event. On the 14th, 47 volunteers gathered at the Salvation Army and stuffed over 500 backpacks with school supplies. The day of the Project Backpack event, 59 volunteers helped hand out backpacks, direct attendees, distribute food, serve hot dogs, and supervise kid's activities. In all 106 volunteers gave 254 hours of their time. At the rate calculated for Michigan by the Independent Sector, volunteers gave $5,623 worth of volunteer hours for Project Backpack!
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Ross from the Instigator's Robotic's Team helped collect supplies at Wal-Mart.
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Each backpack with supplies given out had an estimated value of $35. With 502 backpacks handed out to area youth, $17,520 worth of backpacks and supplies were distributed to help get Chippewa County kids ready for school.
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Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's Project Backpack a huge success!
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Thanks go out to all the area businesses and individuals that collected and donated supplies, all the volunteers who supported the events, Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie for sponsoring Project Backpack, and everyone who attended the event.
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Upcoming Farmer's Markets & Food Related Activities
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Engadine
When: Saturdays, 9:00am until Noon.
Where: In the Township Pavillion located in Mill Pond Park.
Newberry
When: Thurdsdays, 3:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Newberry, Avenne
Pickford
When: Thursdays 4:00 until 6:00 PM
Where: Township Parking Lot behind Historical Museum under shade tree. Flea Market will be in the Northwest corner of the Township parking lot behind the Township Hall
Les Cheneaux
When: Friday, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Where: 2900 West M-134, east of the M-134/Three-Mile Road blinker
Sault Ste. Marie
When: Wednesday 4:00 until 6:30 PM
Where: Crossroads of Sault Ste. Marie: Portage and Ashmun Streets. (Under the Twin Peaks, behind the Eagle's Nest).
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 Did you know you can GIVE to United Way when you shop at Amazon and it won't cost YOU a Penny??? | |
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support. Look for us under United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Project Connect
Mark your calendars for upcoming Project Connects in the Eastern U.P.
Chippewa County -, October 23rd, Avery Square in Sault Ste. Marie. Agency Form
Click here for more details
Mosquito Dash Registration
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Nugget of History
Past United Way Presidents & Campaign Chairs
| | Year | President | Campaign Chair | | 1956 | Phillip Colasanti | W.F.G. "Bud" Weber | | 1957 | Bud Weber | Bud Weber | | 1958 | Bud Weber | Bud Weber | | 1959 | Bud Weber | Bud Weber | | 1960 | Bud Weber | Stephen Jacobs | | 1961 | Ted Jago | Howard Haight | | 1962 | | Ted Jago | | 1963 | | Jack Guiney | | 1964 | | Jack Guiney/Willard LaJoie | | 1965 | | Dr.Walter Wentz/Donald Gerrie |
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Mosquito Dash
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You can help reduce kids obstacles to education by participating in the Mosquito Dash and taking on a few obstacles of your own.
The Mosquito Dash will be held on September 20th at the Moran Fairgrounds in Moran, Michigan. Adults and youth are invited to participate in the 2K obstacle course that features road terrain, tire hills, mud pits, hay stacks, a giant slip N slide and more. There will also be a youth obstacle course at the Moran Township Playground for kids 3-5 years old.
Participants will travel down Church Rd. (1/2 mile) to the Moran Fairgrounds where the obstacles will be hosted. Once obstacles have been completed, participants will travel back down Church Rd to the Moran Playground or End of Race. Music and entertainment provided by 95.1 The Eagle! Stay after the race for a yummy lunch from King's Fish Market! Items to bring: Towels and extra change of clothes. Bathrooms are available.
Participation certificates will be given to children ages 3-12. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be given to children 6-12 and 13 years & above! Registration cost includes an event T-shirt & Cinch Sack!
Don't forget to grab lunch with us U.P. Style! King's Fish Market will have some yummy grub available to fill you up before you leave!
Proceeds from the Mosquito Dash go to support the Great Start Collaborative and the United Way of the EUP
For more information and registration click here!
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Salvation Army's Hours and Services
Food Pantry Hours
10am-NOON * 12:30-2:230pm Monday thru Thursday 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
Bread Rack
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.
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For ten years, nonprofit leaders, staff, board members and volunteers have been taking skills, connections and knowledge back to their communities. This year's Conference will celebrate the positive impact the nonprofit sector has had on the Upper Peninsula.
The UP Nonprofit Conference will be held on the campus of Northern Michigan University, October 9th. This year's conference features a variety of workshops geared towards Nonprofit staff, leadership, volunteers, and board members. Lunch will feature an Awards ceremony, where winners of UP Service Awards will be announced.
This year's keynote speaker is Erika Oliver.
Self-described as a "recovering pessimist", Erika Oliver challenges and inspires teams and individuals to achieve their goals and create relationships that result in profit and prosperity. She has a passion for people and organizations with a social mission.
Erika Oliver is an Organizational Development Consultant and the author of several publications including "Three Good Things: Happiness Every Day, No Matter What!".
For registration and more information please click here!
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For the month of July 2014, CHAC screened 34 clients and completed 28 enrollments, bringing our current total to 115 enrolled clients in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties for the Volunteer Program. CHAC completed 83 referrals to other community programs. Thank you to everyone who has made these numbers possible.
CHAC has certified Navigators answering questions and enrolling individuals into insurance plans. Through July 2014, CHAC has organized 28 outreach/education events and has reached 5568 consumers with information regarding the Affordable Care Act including premium tax credit information for insurance through the Marketplace as well as information regarding Healthy Michigan (expanded Medicaid).
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