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ENEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY
October 2012 Newsletter

Make a Difference Day 2012

    

Students and community leaders came together to 'Make A Difference' at the homes of seniors and veterans.

Students volunteer to 'Make a Difference'


 

More than 190 students from 13 local high schools volunteered to clean, paint, prune and beautify homes of eight senior citizens and veterans in Saginaw County on Thursday, October 25.

 

Although the original event had to be postponed one week due to inclement weather, that did not stop the volunteers from joining us and making an impact in the community.

 

"This is a great way to engage these young adults in their community, showing them how they can come together to make a substantial difference in Saginaw County," said Joe Madison, a community volunteer who has helped coordinate these service events from the beginning.

 

This event marks the 10th annual Make A Difference Day and is a joint collaboration between the Saginaw Community Foundation and United Way of Saginaw County.

 

In the past 10 years, more than 3,000 student volunteers have helped to clean up the homes of 87 senior citizens, 14 veterans, five senior centers, six Emmaus House homes, eight elementary schools and 20 public parks. That adds up to more than 12,000 hours at 140 sites. Thank you to everyone who has had a part in making these days such a success!

 

Pictures from the event can be viewed on our website and facebook page.


Campaign Updates

Highlights, Updates and Success Stories from United Way Workplace Campaigns

 

 

Wildfire Credit Union tried a few new events this year to help kick-off their United Way campaign. Employees competed in a chili cook-off and "sweet treats" bake sale. For the chili cook-off, employees brought in chili to be judged. Their co-workers then paid $5 to try the different kinds. Each person who donated also received a vote to help decide the office champion. Congratulations to Caryn Pennell and her "Gotta Have It" chili for winning first place at the Bay Road office. In total the two events raised more than $550 for their local United Way.

 

Frankenmuth Insurance wrapped up their very successful   campaign in a unique and exciting way - they had a high stakes game of Family Feud. Modeled after the classic game show, "families" of staff members faced off against each other to answer survey questions and gain points. Charismatic hosts, Jason Farmer and Matt Stamper, even presented vintage commercials - such  as the "Where's the Beef?" lady. The overall winning team now has bragging rights in their office and the pleasure of displaying their gnome trophy for the year.

 

Macy's blew us away with their in-store campaign. Employees stepped up and gave at a 96% participation rate and thanks to their generosity and dedication to making change in our community, their store came in at more than 200% above their goal (and well above the giving level of some of the chain's larger stores in Wayne County). The employees at Macy's of Saginaw reached the highest giving level of all Macy's stores in Michigan. 

 

The staff at Gardey Financial Advisors really made "change" happen in their workplace. Their campaign manager, Lucia  Gardey, prepared "Be the Change" cups for each staff member to collect daily pocket change. Her rules provided that both coins and bills would be considered change. The staff was divided into two teams and whichever team was able to raise the most money after week one had to treat the losing team to a potluck lunch.

 

To see all the pictures from campaign events around the community please visit our website or facebook page.

 

We always look forward to highlighting the businesses, organizations and people who make our campaigns happen. If you have any pictures, success stories or fun campaign highlights, please email Kelly Johnson so we can feature your team in the newsletter.

 


Community Impact Updates

Holiday Wish List Program - Wishes Now Available for Adoption

 

 

wish listFor the past 27 years, United Way of Saginaw County has hosted the Holiday Wish List program which helps families and individuals in our community have a brighter holiday season. Whether it means putting food on the table or gifts under the tree, there are many families in our community that would appreciate the extra assistance during the holidays. This year the program aims to help 468 families, all of which were referred to us through more than 70 nonprofit organizations.

  

Wishes are now available to view online through the United Way website. A complete list of wishes will also be posted in the November 20th edition of The Township Times. If you would like to help someone have a brighter holiday season, please consider adopting a family from our Holiday Wish List program. Gifts will be accepted now through December 14.

 

To find a wish:

  • Visit the United Way website
  • Look through The Township Times on Nov. 20
  • Call the Wish List phone line at (989) 776-0545, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To adopt wishes:

  • Email Henrietta Watson and tell her which wish(es) you would like to adopt
  • Call the Wish List phone line at (989) 776-0545, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Or, if you would like to make a general gift to a family, we accept gift cards and monetary donations which we will then distribute to the various families
    • Please make checks out to Holiday Wish List Program
    • Please mail to our office: United Way of Saginaw County, 100 S. Jefferson Ave., 3rd Floor - Saginaw, MI 48607

Thank you to everyone who has helped support this program in the past and to everyone who will help make the holidays brighter again this year. Also, a big thank you to our partners at the Saginaw Department of Human Services for helping us host this program. If you have any questions, please contact Henrietta Watson.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Receives Additional Grant Funding

 

 

We are very proud to announce that our VITA program recently received an IRS grant for the second year in a row. These funds from the IRS Department of Treasury will allow us to expand and enhance our current VITA program.

 

The VITA program helps thousands of Saginaw County taxpayers each year who cannot afford to pay for preparation of their tax returns. Thank you to all of the volunteers who help make this program possible.

 

The impact that this program has on the community is truly outstanding. To become part of this vital program or for more information, please contact Marsha Cooley at 755-0505, ext. 203. Volunteers in all capacities are always needed! Help make a difference in someone's life today.


Getting to Know You

5 Minutes with a UWSC Campaign Volunteer

 


Name: Daryl Thomas   

Title:
Business Process Leader,  

The Dow Chemical Company

 

How did you first become involved with United Way?
 
For the past 25 years I have been supporting United Way. I initially became involved with workplace campaigns but this is my first year volunteering for the organization.

 

Why did you decide to get more involved with the United Way Campaign? I am a firm believer in community volunteerism and aware of the impact that United Way has in our community. This year I thought it would be a good idea to volunteer my time by getting more involved with the campaign.

 

Where did you grow up?  

Saginaw all my life!

 

Family/pets: I am married with two daughters, who are just as involved with the community as I am.

 

Interests: Spending time with family, fitness, attending concerts and cultural events, sporting events (especially rooting for Michigan teams).

  

Favorite food: Any southern cuisine, Mexican or Italian foods.

 

What has been your favorite experience that you've had in your role as a campaign volunteer? I've always been familiar with the United Way but had no idea of how much United Way impacts and supports the community, way beyond the campaign. Through volunteering I have received a broader perspective of the great work that this organization does.


Additional Ways to Support United Way and our Community

Easy Ways to Make CHANGE Happen

 

 

United Way has partnered with our friends at CovenantCovenant HealthCare  HealthCare to help provide the gift of warmth. Every year, many men, women and children in our community struggle through the  cold winter season without a coat to keep warm. You can help provide them with this basic necessity through the Covenant Cares with Coats Drive. We are asking that you help by providing any of the following items in new or gently used condition: coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, snow boots and snow pants. All sizes for men, women and children are needed and greatly appreciated.  If you are interested in helping, please drop off your donations by November 9 to any Covenant HealthCare campus.

 

 

Chemical Bank's 'Mittens for Michigan' campaign encourages others to lend a hand and help provide warmth for those who are experiencing difficult times throughout Michigan communities. Please join Chemical Bank this holiday season by donating new, homemade or gently used mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for Michigan individuals and families in need. Each Chemical Bank office will have a collection box for donations. Also, for every "like" that Chemical Bank receives on its facebook page between November 1 and November 30, a set of mittens will be donated to a local charity.

 

 

 Please help United Way receive $2,000 from Frankenmuth Credit UnionSimply click this link and vote for United Way. The four agencies with the most votes will receive $2,000 each

 


Upcoming Events

  

Halloween Charity Bash

Friday, November 2

 * Hosted by Wilson Realty

 * Event will be held at Swan Valley Golf & Banquet

 * Doors open at 9 p.m.

 * $15 per person

 * More information

 * All proceeds benefit United Way of Saginaw County 

Creating Change TOGETHER - Luncheon

As a thank you for your continued leadership, support and commitment to our community, we invite you to be part of our community conversation as we discuss the opportunity to create change together.

 

Friday, November 16

 * Doors open - 11:30 a.m.

 * Lunch served - 11:45 a.m.

 * Hosted at Horizons

 * Community Conversation facilitated by Ken Fyfe

 * No cost to attend

 * Click here to RSVP -
(must RSVP by November 8)

 * Thank you to event sponsor,
The Dow Chemical Company

 

  


Campaign Company

Spotlight

Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy employees in Saginaw set a goal of raising $1,500 in special event fundraising this year as part of the United Way campaign. The employees proudly reported back that they were able to surpass that goal, raising a total of $1,675 in special event fundraising. The employees generated campaign excitement and extra donations by hosting a drawing for two front row parking spots, selling breakfast burritos, having a football toss game and creating a few "Minute to Win it" challenges. The biggest fundraiser this year was their famous baked goods/chili sale. Numerous employees donated baked goods and chili to sell. There were so many participants that they had to keep adding tables as the day went on.

 

   

Dow New Leaders Challenge

  

The Dow Chemical Company encourages you to double the value of your gift to the community by taking part in the DOW NEW LEADERS CHALLENGE. Please help us receive a $25,000 match from The Dow Chemical Company by becoming a new Leadership donor today.

 

New Leadership Donors:

* If you give $500 - Dow will match 
   $500 - making the gift to the
   community $1,000

*If you give $750 - Dow will match
    $750 - making the gift to the
   community $1,500

* If you give $1,000 - Dow will match
   $1,000 - making the gift to the
   community $2,000

  

Already a Leadership donor? Take part in the challenge by moving up to the next Leadership level today!

 

Current Leadership Donors:

  

* If you give $1,500 - Dow will match 
   $1,500 - making the gift to the
   community $3,000
*If you give $2,000 - Dow will match

   $2,000 - making the gift to the
   community $4,000

 

To sign up for the challenge please fill out your pledge form and indicate your level of commitment to our community.

 

*United Way of Saginaw County must raise $25,000 in new Leadership donations in order to receive a $25,000 gift from The Dow Chemical Company.


Volunteer Opportunities

Getting involved is fun! Here are a few highlighted volunteer opportunities in our community:

Adult Literacy Tutor volunteers are needed to work one-on-one with adults who need to improve their reading skills.

 

Mail Delivery volunteers are needed at a local agency to deliver departmental mail throughout the agency.

 

Dinner Cooks are needed to prepare healthy meals at a local agency. The volunteer would arrange a day to come in. Meals would be prepared on location around 5:15 p.m. each day for about 7 people.

 

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities or would like to get involved in the community, please contact Henrietta Watson at (989) 755-0505, ext. 216.

 


Sharing a Success Story

SVSU 5K for United Way

  

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, October 20 for the 4th Annual Healthy-U Cardinal Family Fun Run/Walk hosted by our friends at Saginaw Valley State University.

 

SVSU students, faculty and members of the community came together to raise money for United Way as they walked or ran in the 5K event. In addition to the race there were bounce houses, games and even a clown making balloon animals. Despite the weather being a little dreary there really was something for everyone.

 

"Being a part of the SVSU 5K was a great way to bring together our local community. As a Saginaw resident, SVSU student and current United Way intern, I definitely felt the excitement and pride during the race. I had a great time supporting a great cause and I cannot wait to participate again next year."
~ Fatima Baig 

 

Although results from the race and SVSU's total campaign are still being calculated, we appreciate everyone who came out and supported the event as well as everyone at SVSU who has helped the event grow bigger and better each year.

 

Pictures from the event can be viewed on our website and facebook pages.


Labor News

Labor Kick-off/ School Supply Drive

  

Thanks to our Campaign Vice Chair, Craig Goslin from the Saginaw Spirit, United Way received two sets of Saginaw Spirit season tickets. We decided to use these tickets as an incentive for our labor partners. Throughout the month of October union members could purchase raffle tickets for their chance to win one set of the tickets. On November 1, we will draw two lucky winners  who will receive two tickets each to all of the remaining Saginaw Spirit home games. Thank you to the Saginaw Spirit as well as the following labor unions: UAW Locals 699, 668, 467 and 455, Carpenters Local 706, IBEW Local 557 and Ironworkers Local 25.

 


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GIVE TODAY.

 

Visit www.UnitedWaySaginaw.org to make your online donation.

Remember, every gift makes a BIG difference in the lives of others.

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