At the end of the second week of the community campaign, United Way continues to gain momentum. Pledges totaled $1,862,888, representing 41% of the overall campaign goal of $4.5 million.
Dow employees have shown their commitment to the community with swift and overwhelming response. After a robust pacesetter campaign, they successfully met their campaign goal this week, five days before the official end of their employee campaign.
With Dow’s employee campaign ending September 30, they have raised the bar and established a new goal: reaching 110% of campaign goal, or $1.2 million in employee pledges. Recognizing the need is great, they are pressing forth with purpose.
“Team Dow has shown what it means to be “Stronger Together” during our employee campaign so far, and I couldn’t be more proud,” shared Mary Draves, chief sustainability officer and vice president of Environment Health & Safety at Dow. “This year has been difficult, but the amazing part has been watching our community come together to support each other. I am inspired by the resilience and selfless service demonstrated as we continue navigating uncertainty.
The community at large is also showing up in new and unique ways to show their support of our neighbors.
Earlier this week, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation announced they are matching 50 cents for every dollar donated by new donors or existing donors who increase or sustain their individual gifts. This exciting news is “game-changing” as stated by Jim Nigro, United Way of Midland County board president, as it stretches the impact of individual gifts even further.
Companies and organizations have also showed how playing a part in the campaign isn’t just about filling out a form: it’s personal. Plus, it’s fun, too.
Dow partnered with United Way to host a virtual cooking demonstration with Chef Theo from The H Hotel. Attendees watched Chef Theo and Kali Cochran of United Way make pan-seared salmon and pan roasted honey lime chicken live from The H’s kitchen. They learned helpful information about food insecurity and nutrition, thanks to representatives from Hidden Harvest, the Arnold Center and Senior Services, all partner agencies with United Way.
Dedicated to learning about the needs and how their dollars are invested back into our community, AMPM, Inc. hosted a “Play United” trivia event with nearly full employee participation. The ROCK Center for Youth Development—another United Way partner agency—is selling candy bars at their sites to help get the word out and add a little sweetness to campaign efforts.
The fun doesn’t stop there.
MidMichigan Health is hosting an array of activities to engage employees, including a virtual 5K, a bake sale, a cookie bake-off and Jeans Day stickers for employees. Their dedication to making the campaign fun and versatile helps boost morale and provide creative choices for how employees can get involved.
“At the end of the day, our community’s heart and compassion is what makes the campaign what it is,” said Holly Miller, president and CEO. “The beauty of the campaign is there are many creative ways to participate: special events, shared stories, virtual games, volunteering and diverse ways to give. It’s all coming from a place of togetherness and hope, which is especially encouraging after this year’s events.”
Throughout the campaign, The Reverend Wally Mayton and Sara Eastman—the first campaign co-chairs in history—will be hitting the campaign trail while filming updates at various campaign hot spots around Midland County. The video series will be shared each Friday on United Way of Midland County’s Facebook page.
“I travel the campaign trail with a colleague I trust and respect,” Mayton said. “We share devotion toward the community. We encounter our neighbors in service. This trip becomes an adventure, and we couldn’t be more excited to show how our community is working together towards this unified goal.”
The campaign will continue through Friday, Oct. 30.
