United Way of Midland County Campaign gains momentum in Week 3.

United Way of Midland County continued to make progress in its third week of the 2017 Community Campaign. Our community has raised $2,018,331, making up 42% of the overall $4,800,000 campaign goal.

“Don and I have always felt a strong desire to give back to the communities we have lived in,” shared 2017 Campaign Chair Diane Postler-Slattery. “United Way helps so many people in ways that we can never fully appreciate. We feel privileged to be a part of this amazing organization that has such an impact on so many lives in Midland County.”

United Way partner agencies are also getting into the fun of this year’s campaign by once again organizing the Agency Games. This fun “minute-to-win-it” style competition serves as the partner agencies’ large campaign fundraising event, and featured Big Brothers Big Sisters, Midland Area Homes, Shelterhouse, Family and Children’s Services and Greater Midland Community Center. At the end, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Family and Children’s Services tied for first place.

“We wanted to be more active in giving back, and we decided the best way to do that is to have some fun,” explained Mitzi Brown of Shelterhouse, one of the Agency Games organizers. “In a sense, it makes us become more united within United Way. We’re really all one.”

Many organizations have been creative with their campaign kick-off efforts. Ernst and Young hosted a kick-off event where over 60 employees learned about the impact of United Way while assembling 150 personal care kits that will impact individuals in Midland County through the Disability Network of Mid-Michigan.

“The energy and passion in the room was contagious. This event has provided our EY teams with creative ideas on how to get involved and truly make a difference in the community” said Brad Newman of Ernst & Young. “EY and United Way will continue to partner for the betterment of the Midland community.”

Chemical Bank employees gathered together to kick-off their campaign with a pep rally at Northwood University’s Riepma Arena where they debuted their inspirational “We are the World” employee campaign video and learned about community needs.

Over 100 Ambassadors from MidMichigan Health participated in United Way impact bus tours. Afterwards employees shared that they “really enjoyed visiting the house of someone impacted by United Way, as it made me realize what our giving can do” and “Wow! What an eye opening experience. It really helped me understand the impact that United Way has on the community.”

This year’s campaign has also seen many generous donations at the Leadership Circle and Tocqueville Society levels. These generous community leaders show their commitment by contributing $1,000 or more in support of United Way. The Tocqueville Society celebrates legacy-minded donors who contribute $10,000 or more. The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation continues their generous support of our community by offering a challenge grant. The grant offers a $500 match for individuals and couples who are new Leadership Circle donors or those that increase their gift by $500 or more along with a $5,000 match for new Tocqueville donors. They also provide a matching grant for new Young Leadership Circle Donors, those under 40 who donate $500 or more.

The 2017 Community Campaign will continue through October 30. For more information on how you can change lives for the better in Midland County, visit unitedwaymidland.org.