United Way of Midland County continues to press toward the finish line and has reached an encouraging milestone. The community has passed the $3.6 million-mark, reporting pledges totaling $3,608,832 or, 78% of the overall campaign goal of $4.6 million.
“The contributions to United Way are invested right back into our community to tackle our biggest challenges,” shared Tim Lacey, 2024 United Way Campaign Chair. “We are humbled and thrilled with the progress. Our community continues to open their minds and hearts as we press forward with confidence.”
Team Dow celebrated not only meeting but exceeding their goal of raising $1.25 million to support vital community programs. Throughout their campaign, they hosted a variety of special events to engage their team including hosting Traveling Tom’s Coffee Truck, chili cook-offs, virtual auctions, United at the Rooftop, Brewing Up Impact and countless team meetings and events that served as fundraisers for the campaign. They also offered their team an opportunity to learn more about the programs United Way funding supports through Impact Bus Tours. Nearly 230 Dow employees participated in 16 tours, visiting over 20 partner agencies.
“We set an ambitious goal this year, increasing our target $50,000 from last year. And we did that because the needs in our community, and the costs to address those needs, are greater than ever,” said Brendy Lange, president for Dow Performance Materials & Coatings and executive sponsor and chair of the Dow GLBR United Way Campaign. “But this campaign is about much more than meeting a financial goal. It’s about supporting our friends and neighbors who need our help, so we can continue to change lives for the better. And I couldn’t be prouder of our Dow colleagues who again stepped up with their generosity, their commitment and their care to do just that. And we look forward to continuing to help United Way improve lives for those in need throughout our region.”
In addition to donations made by employees and from special events, the Dow Company Foundation also provides philanthropic donations directly to the United Way organizations located in the counties of Bay, Midland and Saginaw.
The Dow Company Foundation is a longtime supporter of United Way. Each year, the Foundation awards grant dollars to numerous eligible charitable organizations across the Great Lakes Bay Region to support programs that help our community thrive. With needs at an all-time high, the money donated through Dow’s efforts will help address many critical needs, including programs that focus on youth mentoring, mental health, overcoming loneliness and supporting the ALICE population.
MyMichigan Health has showcased their employees’ hearts for the community. Their campaign has wrapped up raising over $386,000 to support the communities they serve.
The team at MyMichigan saw a record-breaking year with dollars raised through special events, totaling over $95,000. Through t-shirt sales, jean days, cookie bake-offs, parking spot auctions and other creative ideas, their team embraced having fun, all while making an impact.
“In a year where these dollars mean more than ever to those who need our support, we are so encouraged by the amazing and creative ways that employees and organizations are stepping up,” Lacey continued.
Campaigns are continuing to find fun ways to get engaged. Earlier this week, United Way staffers joined Hidden Harvest, for their annual chili cookoff and basket auction and Hemlock Semiconductor for their impact fair to share about the work of United Way and our partners. Other businesses are kicking off their employee campaigns next week, including Garber Chevrolet and Yeo & Yeo.
Northwood University is kicking off their campaign with its annual Go MAD (Make a Difference) day at Camp Neyati. Players from their baseball team will be joining United Way to clean up the grounds. Other workplace campaigns continue to wrap up including W & W Tool & Die, RCL Construction and GE Insulation.
United Way partner agencies competed in a Halloween costume contest at Noon Rotary, showing their spirit for the community. Sam McKenzie, Executive Director at Hidden Harvest, took first place as Sam the Strawberry. Bev Wenzel from The ROCK, Joe Blewett from Family & Children’s Services, Joe Coffey from Home to Stay, Jennifer Chappel from Habitat for Humanity, Kathryn Tate from Legacy Center and Kevin Heye from Midland Child Advocacy Center all dressed in costume raising dollars to support the annual campaign.
Everyone is invited to be a part of the 2024 United Way Campaign. To learn more about community needs, how dollars are invested for change, read an impact story, or find help, you can visit unitedwaymidland.org/2024campaign.
