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Donor Open House
Deb and Steve Olsen, of Northern Machine, are pictured by the room their gift helped renovate at the United Way Human Services Center. Building fund donors were invited for a special open house and tour to see the internal signage throughout the campus. | |
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Volunteers needed to help invest, determine priorities | |
Have you ever wondered how United Way invests donations received in the annual campaign? Community members work in teams to learn about local services, review programs - nd make recommendations how to invest donations in programs that are positively impacting people's lives. The decisions are made entirely by United Way donors, and this review process is one of the most critical functions of United Way.
Volunteers serve on a team addressing one of our community impact areas - helping kids succeed (education), increasing financial stability and independence (income) and improving healthy living (health). Panels visit agencies, learn how to evaluate programs according to the "outcome measurements," read and evaluate applications and make their recommendations. The panel leaders finalize the panel recommendations, which are then presented to United Way's Board of Directors.
The community investment process takes about 12 hours, plus reading time. It begins with site visits in March, reviewing applications in April and hearing presentations from the agency programs in May. This year's applications will be submitted and reviewed online.
After the spring community investment process, volunteers will continue to learn about their impact area through quarterly meetings throughout the year.
For more information on how you can help, please email Lisa Tyler, Vice President Community Impact, at lisa@unitedwaylakeshore.org.
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Help Michigan's Needy
Families in Our Community
Given today's economic conditions and high unemployment in Michigan, more families are at risk than ever before and the need for assistance has never been greater. The Michigan Association of United Ways worked with the Michigan Legislature to create a quick and easy way to donate resources that help ease the burden for many Michigan families.
When filing your state income taxes, be sure to fill out form 4642, which allows tax payers to donate all or part of their tax return to the United Way Fund. The United Way Fund has been created to help assist low to moderate-income families in Michigan with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.
All donations made to the United Way Fund will be used to help support local families. Donations made by taxpayers in their city will benefit the needy families in that area.
The United Way Fund is an easy way to LIVE UNITED and to make a difference in your area. Please remember to "check off" for the United Way Fund.
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Youth United: Kids helping kids | |
Youth United, a county-wide group of high school students, volunteered at Kids' Food Basket in January. The students decorated bags and packed snacks and trail mix in preparation for the 500 Sack Suppers delivered to students at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Muskegon Heights. Youth United is a new student leadership initiative at United Way of the Lakeshore. More high school students are welcome to join - contact Lisa Tyler, lisa@unitedwaylakeshore.org, for more information.
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 Netwalking
A healthy way to grow
your business | |
NETWALKING is a unique networking concept that provides uninterrupted "talk time" or "quiet time" for active business professionals.
Why NETWALKING? It is physical activity that fits into your day. It's an opportunity to problem solve, educate and inform. It will enhance creativity and new solutions; it will enhance relationship building; and walking and talking side by side cuts through hierarchical and status distinctions and sets people at ease.
Where? The Lakes Mall on Monday & Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. (Please use the food court entrance.) LC Walker Arena on Monday & Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. Please use the 4th Street entrance. |
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Talk Sooner Campaign | |
The Talk Sooner Campaign has been running in various phases since 2010 and is a collaborative effort between Lakeshore Coordinating Council and their contractors and Network 180. The committee would like to hear parent perspectives on the use of technology in promoting this campaign.
They are asking as many parents as possible to take the short survey below. If you are a parent in Ottawa, Muskegon, Kent, Allegan or Berrien Counties, please take this survey and pass this survey link to any parent who may be willing to take this survey and provide some feedback.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/Talksoonersurvey
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Find United Way on Facebook for daily
pictures, updates, information
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Congratulations to
2-1-1 - celebrating
10 years in Michigan!
2-1-1 is your 3 digit
number to give or get help.
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Free Tax Preparation Services in West Michigan
To schedule an appointment, or to see if you qualifiy for free tax preparation services, please dial 2-1-1, or toll free at 1-877-211-5252.
Call specialists will provide information and assistance in determining if individuals are eligible for free services, which tax credits if any they may qualify for, and what documents and information they will need to bring with them to an appointment.
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On Sunday, February 10, hundreds of volunteers across the state will help college-bound Michigan students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is an annual event to increase the number of students who continue education beyond high school by providing the free FAFSA assistance.
Events will be held Feb. 10 at Baker College from 2 to 4 p.m.and at Newaygo County Regional Educational Services Agency (NC RESA) from 2 to 4 p.m.
Muskegon Community College will hold sessions on the following dates from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 116A: February 8, 15 and 22 and March 1/,8, 15 and22 and May 3.
A Muskegon Opportunity Pilot FAFSA event at Orchard View High School will be held on February 21 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
New events will be posted on the Muskegon Opportunity website as they become available.
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Tuesday, February 12: United Way of the Lakeshore invites Employee Campaign Coordinators and Payroll Personnel to a THANK YOU BREAKFAST from 8 to 9 a.m. at United Way. Let's celebrate and share ideas! Please RSVP to Nancy Robbins at (231) 722-3134.
Friday, February 15: The American Red Cross presents a one night only performance by 1964 - The Tribute to help raise funds for local Red Cross services. Tickets are on sale now at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon. All seats are $29.50. Tickets are available at the Frauenthal box office or online at www.startickets.com.
Thursday, February 21: Muskegon Parents for a Great Start present Kevin Kammeraad and the Cooperfly Puppet Troupe at 6:30 p.m. at the Muskegon Township Library. Kevin is an award-winning artist, performer, and children's author of several books and CDs. Please RSVP by Feb. 15 to Cathy Curtis at (231) 726-1224.
Thursday, February 28: Soup's On Along the Lakeshore from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Event Center at Fricano Place, 1050 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. Tickets are $35 each and available at Catholic Charities West Michigan's Muskegon office and online at soupsonforall.org. This event benefits the God's Kitchen food programs of Catholic Charities West Michigan - Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and God's Kitchen Along the Lakeshore (formerly Christian Community Center).
Saturday, March 2: Cheers & Chocolate - a special event to benefit Every Woman's Place/Webster House Youth Services from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of Michigan, 336 West Clay Avenue, downtown Muskegon. You must 21 years old to attend. Tickets are $55 each. Please call (231) 759-7909 for more information.
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If you have an event you would like included in the United Way ENews,
please contact stephanie@unitedwaylakeshore.org.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore is asking the community to support Bowl for Kids' Sake, the mentoring organization's biggest annual fundraiser, which
enables Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide caring adults to mentor vulnerable children in need. With the help of ongoing staff support, one-to-one relationships keep going strong long-term to help youth overcome adversity to achieve lifelong success.
Interested bowlers can register and solicit donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore bowling events at www.bbbslakeshore.org/bowl. |
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Volunteer Opportunity
The Alzheimer's Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, is looking to expand its programs and services in the West Shore Region.
The Alzheimer's Association needs the following types of volunteers - Program Presenter, Support Group Facilitator and Office Volunteer. Contact Elizabeth at ejohnson@alz.org or 800-272-3900. To become an Event Committee Volunteer, contact Stephanie at sbarnhill@alz.org or 800-272-3900.
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The Foster Grandparent program is looking for volunteers! If you are age 55 or better; want to share your experience and compassion; have 20 hours a week to give to children; want a non-taxable stipend; enjoy meeting, working with and sharing new experiences with other seniors ... you may be a great foster grandparent!
For more information, call the Foster Grandparent Program of Catholic Charities West Michigan at
(231) 727-4140. |
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Newaygo County
On Saturday, Jan. 28, United Way of the Lakeshore sponsored the Polar Dip at Hess Lake in Newaygo. Thirty-one brave souls participated in this Newaygo Area Chamber of Commerce Winterfest event.
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