United Way of the

Eastern Upper Peninsula

Here comes 2015!

I can't believe that my 5th year at United Way has come to and end.  It feels like just yesterday I was starting a new adventure.

While 2014 has had its challenges we have also made great strides in helping even more families with less funding.  I don't know how we do it!  This year we received a grant through the Michigan Association of United Ways and were able to create 2 kiosks and a mobile kiosk to do outreach.  In the last several weeks along we have exceeded our projections.  

I feel very honored to work at United Way and even though some days are tougher than others, we are making headway.  I am looking forward to an even better 2015, making more partnerships, collaborating even MORE, and doing more to make our EUP community an even better place to live.

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!

The Luce County Merry Christmas Community Dinner to place last week on at the American Legion Hall in Newberry. The Luce County Link, The Newberry High School Key Club, The Newberry Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of the EUP partnered to plan and host this community event which featured a visit from Santa, raffle prizes, a silent auction for ornaments decorated by local students, music, a community dinner, and lots of fun.

Key Club members work on plating deserts

Santa and Mrs. Claus rode into town on their sleigh and helped light the community tree in front of the American Legion. Afterwards everyone was invited inside for a community dinner, featuring turkey and ham with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and desert; 220 meals were served in all. Over 300 area children took the opportunity to sit down with Santa and Ms. Claus for a free picture.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves from the Luce Co. LINK

Thanks to DJ Sparky for setting a festive mood, the LINK Youth Council, The Newberry High School Key Club, and Luce County Communities that Care for helping prepare food, serve drinks and keeping tables clear, and for everyone who came and enjoyed the evening!

To see more pictures from the Newberry Merry Christmas, visit UnitedWayEUP.org!

The America Gives More Act Amends internal revenue code:

• make permanent the enhanced tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory
• increase from 10% to 15% of the aggregate net income of taxpayers the amount of deductible food inventory contributions taxpayers can make in a taxable year
• permit a taxpayer who is not required to account for inventories or capitalize indirect costs to treat the basis of any wholesome food as equal to 25% of fair market value( solely for deduction purposes)
• set forth a formula for computing fair market value

Makes permanent

• Tax free distribution from IRA's for charitable purposes and tax deduction for contributions by individuals
• corporations of real property interests for conservation

Allows taxpayers to treat a charitable contribution made after the close of the taxable year but before the due date of tax return to be counted in that taxable year.  Reduces excise tax rate on net investment income of tax-exempt private foundations from 2% to 1%.  Prohibits the entry of budgetary effects on this Act on any PAYGO scorecard.

Contact Debbie Stabenow's email page http://www.stabenow.senate.gov/?p=contact

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