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 $3,055,261, representing 65% of the overall campaign goal of $4.7 million.
The fun continues across the county as more organizations participate in the campaign and learn how their investment makes an impact. Last week, the City of Midland challenged Midland County to a friendly wiffle ball game at the Midland Miracle field. Throughout the afternoon, folks showed up to have fun and enjoy lunch, all while raising dollars for their United Way campaigns.
“Our staff at the City of Midland are dedicated, public servants with great passion for their community. Every year, the United Way Campaign strengthens that,” shared Brad Kaye, Midland City Manager and United Way Board Member. “This year, we took that passion to the wiffle ball field in a friendly game against the County. We are all winners when it comes to raising dollars for our community.”
Throughout their campaign, City employees will have the opportunity to participate in Jean Day for United Way, a change for change competition and enter a raffle to win two wooden Michigan-shaped chairs.
The folks at Midland County also kicked off their campaign last week. This year their team is focusing on the well-being of their employees and are carrying the theme of “keep calm” into their United Way campaign, focusing on the well-being of the community. As a fun way to engage employees, they are offering a basket raffle for employees to bid on prizes, while making a difference.
“The County of Midland employees have a long history of being very generous with their time, talents and treasures when it comes to our annual United Way campaign,” shared Bridgette Gransden, Controller at Midland County. “The internal campaign committee almost considers it a challenge to be more creative every year with friends and fundraising activities. Those have included a city-county challenge the past few years and this year involved a friendly wiffle ball game highlighting the Miracle Field. This year United Way was the only team to walk away with bragging rights! I am grateful for the dedication of our employees to residents on all levels.”
Three Rivers Corporation began their campaign with a presentation from Holly Miller about the good work being done by United Way and how their employee’s dollars are invested for change. United Way welcomed Chris Moultrup, Director of Business Development at Three Rivers to their Board of Directors and Dustin Neumeyer, Marketing and Business Development Coordinator at Three River to their Young Leaders Executive Council earlier this year and are thrilled to have the expertise and knowledge on the team.
The Great Lakes Loons kicked off their campaign with a presentation from United Way team member, Jesse Fletcher. In addition to their employee campaign, the Loons sponsored The Chair Project, as well as served as the location sponsor for United Way’s kick-off event, Gear for the Year.
Other organizations around Midland County are wrapping up their employee campaigns. Saginaw Bay Underwriters, Horizons Bank, Yeo and Yeo, Ten16 and Safe & Sound Child Advocacy Center all ended their campaigns with incredible engagement from their teams. The Legacy Center for Community Success met their goal of 100% participation, with the prize of getting to choose their CEO, Kathryn Tate’s, Halloween costume. She’ll be dressed as Cruella DeVil to celebrate the holiday and their campaign success.
“As we get closer to the finish line of the 2022 community campaign, we’d like to thank all who have had a chance to support United Way and their partners so far,” shared Michael Goad, 2022 United Way Campaign Co-chair. “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, advocating for those who don’t have a voice, or lending your time as a volunteer.”
United Way is spotlighting a unique virtual opportunity in partnership with Bullock Creek Public Schools and CricketTogether. Done completely online with great flexibility, mentors will not only support kids with reading and writing but also with building social and emotional skills! To learn more or sign up to volunteer visit unitedwaymidland.org/ementoring.
The 2022 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/2022campaign.
