Week 5 of the United Way of Midland County campaign continues to prove that there is strength in numbers. United Way is reporting pledges totaling $2,976,756 representing 65% of the overall campaign goal of $4.6 million.
“The next few weeks will be crucial as we head towards the final stretch of our campaign,” shared Tim Lacey, 2024 United Way Campaign Chair. “Every contribution – no matter the amount – will be invested in vital programs that are life-changing for so many of our neighbors. How we unite as individuals now will help strengthen Midland County today and for years to come.”
United Way partner, Greater Midland, kicked off their campaign engaging 300 employees across the county – including Greater Midland Community Center, Greater Midland Tennis Center, Greater Midland Coleman Family Center and Greater Midland North Family Center.
Many companies including Ace Hardware, Feeny Jeep Chrysler Dodge and Disability Network of Mid-Michigan all launched their campaigns this week. Ieuter Insurance wrapped up their campaign, raising nearly $15,000 for community programs.
Midland County kicked off their campaign and will be offering their team a variety of fun activities including basket raffles and 50/50. County Controller, Bridget Gransden, also filmed a Biscuits with Bridget interview with United Way CEO, Holly Miller, to learn more about how supporting United Way impacts the community. Midland County ESA just started their campaign, meeting their goal within the first few days. To show their commitment to our neighbors, they increased their goal hoping to make an even bigger impact.
At this week’s noon Rotary lunch, Holly Miller presented alongside Tim Lacey, 2024 Campaign Chair, and several partner agencies including Family and Children’s Services, The Legacy Center for Community Success, The ROCK, Hidden Harvest, The ARC of Midland, Senior Services, Home to Stay, Shelterhouse, Greater Midland Community Center, North Midland Family Center and Midland Child Advocacy Center all shared about the impact United Way makes in our community.
As another way to make an impact, many organizations are spending time volunteering in the community. Trinseo employees spent the day volunteering with United Way’s partner agency TenSixteen, helping to build trails, benches and a new firepit. In collaboration with Chippewa Nature Center, made possible by a United Way SPARK grant, they are transforming the 10-acre wooded area behind their residential treatment center into a forest therapy trail. This underutilized area will now give those at the center the chance to share group time outdoors, participate in exercise programs and experience the healing power of nature no matter the season.
United Way measures success in how lives are changed, and they do not do this work alone. They partner with 24 dedicated nonprofits and invest in quality programs that show measurable outcomes every year. Together, they create new solutions to community issues and join with people from all walks of life to put those solutions into action.
United Way listens, asks questions and analyzes data to ensure that top issues are aligned with the most pressing needs. Dollars are invested in programs in the areas of Youth Success, Health and Household Stability because change is bigger than a single organization or program.
“You may not realize that volunteers determine how the community’s investment will be allocated,” shared Kim Stuhler, Associate Director of Community Impact at United Way. “Each year our volunteer panels devote nearly 30 hours reviewing applications, looking at outcomes, posing questions and hearing from our partners. Based on what they learn, these volunteers make funding recommendations to the United Way board.”
This process ensures that there is a high level of accountability and demonstrates the impactful ways that lives are being changed by the community’s investment.
United Way’s issue area focus this week is job skills.
Job Skills is one of the fifteen issue areas that United Way of Midland County focuses on. 48% of people with disabilities in Michigan live in a household below the ALICE threshold. Last year, over 330 students and adults with a disability were equipped with employment skills, job coaching and financial coaching and support. To learn more about young adults with disabilities finding independence and financial stability, read Amanda’s Story.
“As we get closer to reaching our goal for the 2024 community campaign, I’d like to thank all who have had a chance to support United Way and their partners so far,” shared Lacey. “The outpouring of support is incredible, yet there is still work to be done. We encourage you to engage in creating change in our community by pledging today.”
To make your contribution to supporting our community, you can donate at unitedwaymidland.org/givetoday.
The 2024 United Way campaign will continue through the fall and everyone is invited to be a part of it. 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.
