Whirlpool Corporation has announced a community basket auction to benefit the United Way of Southwest Michigan. Set for December 1 through December 10, it will be a chance for the community to make bids on decorative baskets for a good cause. The United Way of Southwest Michigan filled us in on the details:
“Giving Tuesday” is right around the corner—the global day of giving that encourages philanthropy and celebrates generosity worldwide. Always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is November 30 this year. Whirlpool Corporation is giving Southwest Michigan the opportunity to participate in the spirit of Giving Tuesday—one day later—and benefit United Way AND get some holiday shopping done. Not for just one day, but 10!
Whirlpool Corporation is holding an online Community Basket Auction from December 1-10 at uwsm.org. The auction begins at 12:01 a.m. on December 1 and ends at 2 p.m. on December 10. On the website, bidders will find photos of the baskets, lists of items in the baskets, and total basket values, as well as the dates and locations to pick up the baskets. Items have been donated by community businesses and individuals, and all proceeds from sales will go to the Whirlpool Corporation employee pledge campaign for United Way.
Basket themes include:
Axe throwing
Boating
Bird & Butterfly Garden Basket
Bread Bar Holiday
Coloma Experience
Cozy Christmas
Gardening with Gladiator
Gladiator Garage
Happy Hour Chill
Laundry Hero
Local Arts Package
Snow Day Emergency Kit
St. Joe Gift Cards
Wine
…and more!!
The Community Basket Auction is the brainchild of Shelitha McKee, a customer relations manager at Whirlpool Corporation and a long-time leader of the company’s employee pledge campaign for United Way. She has spearheaded an internal basket raffle at the company to benefit United Way in recent years, and because of its smash success, the campaign committee decided to take the basket concept community-wide as an auction this year, in addition to the internal raffle.
“We’re so excited that we can offer baskets to the whole community as an auction because the baskets are so creative and fun and people love them,” said McKee. “We know this auction will give a big boost to our campaign to raise funds for United Way and support the impactful work they do in our community.”
Whirlpool Corporation and United Way of Southwest Michigan are grateful for the support of the following who donated items and sponsored baskets:
1st Source Bank
Alex’s Veggies
Children’s Music Workshop
Coloma Township Police Department
Fluff N’ Suds
Holt Bosse
Local Pour
Lumberjax: Urban Axe Throwing
Martin’s Super Markets
Mid-West Family
PhycoTech
Pier 1000
RMB Capital
Starks Family Funeral Homes
The Livery
Well of GRACE Ministries
Vomela
Whirlpool Corporation
YMCA of Greater Michiana
To view auction items and bid, visit uwsm.org.
