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More event pictures can be viewed on our Facebook page and at RealEstateByWilson.com.
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Annual Halloween Charity Bash raises more than $3,000 for United Way | |
The 2012 Halloween Charity Bash hosted by Wilson Realty entertained 300 guests and donated event proceeds of $3,017 to United Way of Saginaw County. A total of 53 sponsors provided $19,000 worth of materials, services, prizes or cash to make the event possible.
The costume party was held at Swan Valley Golf and Banquet Center. Our staff members, Kelly Johnson and Kimberly German, represented United Way as LIVE UNITED superheroes (pictured bottom left).
The Wilson family and company stated that they are proud to host this event each year as it truly is a community-based event evidenced by those in attendance, and the local businesses/individuals that sponsored it. (Pictured bottom right - from left to right: Cherrie Benchley, Marie and Nathon Wilson, Gavin Wilson and Scott Wilson)
United Way thanks everyone who donated, volunteered, organized and supported the event, making it one of the best yet! |
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Highlights, Updates and Success Stories from United Way Workplace Campaigns
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The AT&T Foundation presented United Way with their  $20,000 campaign donation. This donation is in addition to the amount that their employees contributed. (Pictured left to right: Ben Glardon, 85th District State Representative - Ken Horn, 94th District State Representative - Craig Goslin, Campaign Vice Chair - Cherrie Benchley, United Way - Gavin Goetz, AT&T).
In addition to their employee donations and special event fundraisers, Citizens Bank presented United Way with their $15,000 campaign donation.
(Pictured left to right: Todd Gregory, Citizens Bank - Cherrie Benchley, United Way - Melissa Spranger, Citizens Bank/United Way Board Member).
 We could not ask all of our dedicated companies to run employee fundraising campaigns without running one ourselves. This year our United Way of Saginaw County internal campaign was coordinated by our newest staff member, Kimberly German. Kimberly researched the best practices lists, surveyed some of our campaign coordinators and came up with some fun internal campaign ideas. Our office was divided into two teams based on ages, Baby X's and Team XY. The staff had to pay $3 to participate in the weekly group activities or $5 to  sit out. Each week points were awarded to the two teams based on the various activities. The staff created United Way themed window displays, competed in generation based trivia games, had a change war and found out who really knows their coworkers the best. Between the fundraisers and employee contributions, our office raised more than $7,500 for our community! The "wiser" team (Baby X's) ended up winning office bragging rights. United Way President/CEO, Cherrie Benchley, will treat the staff to a pizza party for having 100% participation and going over the set goal.
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.
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Holiday Wish List Program - Wishes Now Available for Adoption
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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 Dec. 14.
To find a wish:
- Visit the United Way website
- Look through the November 20th Township Times
- 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 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. |
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5 Minutes with a UWSC Board Member
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Name: Keith Wenzel (pictured with his wife Kristen)
Title: Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for Chemical Bank - United Way Board Member and Campaign Cabinet Member
Family: I have been married to my wife, Kristen, for 18 years; we have one son, Walker.
Interests: I enjoy playing golf and home improvement projects. I am currently training our black lab, Maggie, who is the only dog I have met who decides if it is worth her reward before responding to any training.
Favorite food: Nothing beats a home-grilled hamburger.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Saginaw and have been a lifelong resident of Saginaw. I have been able to travel throughout the United States and Europe and have come to realize Saginaw is still a great place to live.
Education: I attended and graduated from both Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University.
How/when did you become involved with United Way? I was a Loaned Executive during the 1996 campaign, without any knowledge of what the United Way actually did. I have enjoyed helping the needs of the community ever since.
Favorite United Way Event/Program? The Allocations Process, where the members of the community actually decide where the donors' funds are directed.
What is your favorite experience in your role as a Campaign Volunteer? To visit the agencies and to see how the investments of donors are put into action.
Anything else you would like to mention? Thanks to the United Way Staff, for all of their hard work and dedication to the community and the agencies they serve. |
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Easy Ways to Make CHANGE Happen | |
 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.
 Please help United Way receive $2,000 from Frankenmuth Credit Union. Simply click this link and vote for United Way. The four agencies with the most votes will receive $2,000 each.
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Campaign Celebration | |
Please join us as we announce the results of our 2012 annual fundraising campaign at our Campaign Celebration event on 1.17.13. Invitations will be mailed early January.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
* Doors open - 7:30 a.m.
* Breakfast & program - 8 a.m.
* Hosted at Horizons
* Cost to attend - $12.50 each
* Click here to RSVP -
(must RSVP by January 11) |
| Amigo Mobility | |
The employees at Amigo Mobility outdid themselves again this year! United Way and READ Association presented to their staff and two Amigo volunteers spoke about why they support United Way and volunteer in the community. In addition to their employee contributions, Amigo had a special event when employees could wear jeans and either MSU or U of M attire the day before the rivalry game if they donated $3 to United Way. They also had several days throughout the year where employees could pay $3 to wear jeans, and on Fridays staff would sell popcorn from their old-fashioned popcorn machine for $1 per bag. Overall they exceeded their goal and raised more than they did last year. (Pictured are various Amigo employees showing their support to United Way and their favorite college teams).
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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. |
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Getting involved is fun! Here are a few highlighted volunteer opportunities in our community: | |
Help organize donations for a local agency that needs volunteers to help sort and organize. Volunteers would also be responsible for assisting with the sorting of personal care items, clothing and bedding.
CASA volunteers are needed to help make a difference in a child's life. Must be able to relate well to children.
Special Event volunteers are needed to help set-up, tear down, assist with activities, provide crowd control and help with first aid.
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.
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Creating CHANGE Together Luncheon | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, November 16 for the Creating CHANGE Together Luncheon and Community Conversation.
More than 100 community members joined us for our first of many Community Conversations.
We look forward to working together with all our community leaders, partner agencies, community organizations and community members in the near future as we discuss the best ways to move forward and improve Saginaw County.
(Pictured above: Jeff Martin, United Way Campaign Chair - Cherrie Benchley, United Way - Craig Goslin, United Way Campaign Vice Chair). |
| Saginaw Spirit Raffle | |
Last month we announced that we were hosting a Saginaw Spirit season ticket raffle for two of our labor supporters, thanks to a generous donation from our Campaign Vice Chair, Craig Goslin. On November 1, United Way Labor Liaison, Steve Lamb drew two lucky winners who received two tickets each to all of the remaining Saginaw Spirit home games. In total, $256 was raised for United Way of Saginaw County. Congratulations to Ryan Smith and Scott Naylor, both from UAW Local 467. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy your time at the Saginaw Spirit home games! |
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