United Way of the

Eastern Upper Peninsula

The Real Value of Your Donation  

Do you know someone who volunteers their time and is under appreciated? Would you like to see a group or business recognized for their hard work and generosity? The United Way's Volunteer Center is constantly searching the community for people we can shine the spotlight on. 

Nominations for the Volunteer of the Month can be submitted by anyone for individual, and community partner categories. Winners are selected monthly, and each winner is surprised with a rally of recognition where they receive a framed certificate and and other tokens of appreciation. Individuals will also receive a certificate for lunch for two at a local eatery.

To nominate and individual, group, or business as our Volunteer of the Month, fill out the nomination form, or just email Stephen and tell him why your nominee deserves to be recognized!

Check out the United Way website to see more of our past winners!

Eastern UP residents braved an early November storm to enjoy the United Way's annual Chili Cookoff on the 11th.  This popular event featured organizations and businesses from across the Eastern Upper Peninsula testing their personal chili recipes to determine region's best.

Our panel of distinguished judges helped choose the best recipes. Here Dr. Pledger and Alan LaVictor sample some chili

Four-hundred, sixty-five guests were on hand to sample chili, listen to a variety of local music acts, and support the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. As a thank you for their service, the twenty-six area veterans in attendance were given free admission to the event. This year featured a 1980's Movie theme and teams were up for the challenge with classics such as Ghostbusters, Caddie Shack, A Christmas Story, and The Muppets represented in the booth decorations. In addition to chili and music the Crafts for a Cause group had deserts for sale, Soo Brewing Company provided free Root Beer, and the Great Start Collaborative brought a variety of crafts and activities for the kids in attendance. Through the event, $4,000 was raised to support the United Way.

Four local music acts took turns entertaining the cookoff attendees.

"We are thankful for the great support we get from the community, as well as our partner agencies, for this event. We tried out a few new ideas this year, and it all seemed to go well. Everyone looked like they had fun with the 80's movie theme, we're already thinking up new ideas for next year," Tracey Laitinen, Executive Director United Way of the EUP.

Teams were on board with the 80's Movie theme. Diane Peppler's decorations were inspired by A Christmas Story, complete with customized sweaters.

Twenty-one teams participated bringing 25 different recipes of chili to compete in the Hot, Mild, White Chili, Vegetarian, and Professional categories. The coveted People's Choice Award, choses by votes from the cookoff attendees, went to the Border Patrol for the second year in a row. Winners of the Hot, Medium, Vegetarian, White, and Professional divisions were chosen by a panel of judges made up of a residents from across the EUP.  Winner were:

Hot Chili:

1. Girl Scouts of NW Great Lakes
2. EUP Community Dispute Resolution sponsored by Lighthouse.net
3. The Palace

Mild Chili:

1. Soo Eagles Hockey
2. Meals on Wheels
3. CHAC sponsored by WMH

White Chili:

1. New Hope
2. Boy Scouts
3. CHAC sponsored by WMH

Vegetarian Chili:

1. Feeding America sponsored by Huntington Bank
2. Diane Peppler Resource Center
3. Child & Family Services sponsored by Eagle Eye Grooming

Professional Chili:

1. The Palace

Best Decorated:

1. CHAC sponsored by WMH
2. Luce County Resource and Rec Center
3. Girl Scouts of NW Great Lakes

All the division winners!

What is AmazonSmile?

For the month of October 2014, CHAC screened 38 clients and completed 20 enrollments, bringing our current total to 99 enrolled clients in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties for the Volunteer Program. CHAC completed 70 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.  The 2015 Marketplace Open Enrollment period is here now through February 15, 2015. Contact CHAC for information regarding the Affordable Care Act including premium tax credits for insurance through the Marketplace as well as information regarding Healthy Michigan (expanded Medicaid).

CHAC is holding Enrollment Events near you, call to schedule your appointment today!

• Cedarville - Wednesday, December 3rd
• Newberry - Monday, December 8th
• Kinross - Thursday, December 11th
• Engadine - Monday, December 15th
• DeTour - Tuesday, December 16th

The Sault Area Middle School and the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula came together to help Chippewa County families enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. Students at the Middle school held a food drive to collect non-perishable, Thanksgiving themed, food items during the month of November. The US Coast Guard, and Hoover Precision held food drives to contribute to the project as well. Mrs. Donaldson's home room class at the Middle School collected the most food bringing 290 items with over 1350 non-perishable items being donated in all. Family Video of Sault Sainte Marie donated Turkeys to round out the project.

Turkey's donated by Family Video, ready to get handed out.

On the 22nd, in conjunction with National Family Volunteer Day, 20 volunteers helped pack the collected food into baskets, with each one containing a complete Thanksgiving Dinner. Through the event food baskets were assembled for 65 area families.

Volunteers get ready to pack Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets

Family Volunteer Day by the Number

• 65 Families (122 individuals) Served
• $50 estimated value of each basket
• Over 1350 food items donated
• 20 Volunteers participated
• 30 Total hours volunteered
• Value of volunteer hours- $2,103