It is already an historic year for United Way of Southwest Michigan. The powerhouse non-profit agency is celebrating its 75th Anniversary year — a true milestone. When you take into account the goal for the anniversary year campaign, you get a view of just how historic this year is poised to be.
Coming off of a record-setting performance or more than $4.1-million in the 2016 campaign, organizers and community volunteers have become emboldened to make the 2017 effort truly a campaign for the ages.
The 2016 record of $4,186,203 was a remarkable performance, but this is an organization that is changing lives and the entire community like never before in its three-quarter century history. Recognizing that the agencies served by the collective effort of the United Way, campaign chairs and staff have established an ambitious and record-shattering goal of $4.4-million, and they are already working overtime to assure that the mark is eclipsed.
Anna Murphy is President of United Way of Southwest Michigan. She admits, “It’s a very ambitious goal,” however she is quick to point out, “It reflects the needs of this community.” The vibrant chief of a very active staff and volunteer community adds, “We are trying to ensure that children are ready for kindergarten, that people can meet their basic needs, and that individuals can improve their overall health.” She concludes, “Eclipsing this goal would mean great impact in Southwest Michigan.”
Murphy is spot on, too. The need in Southwest Michigan is decidedly real. In fact, 31-percent of students in Berrien and Cass Counties don’t graduate from high school on time. Fully 16-percent of people are living below the poverty line in our region, and while 1 in 3 adults are considered obese, nearly 1 in every 5 children is food insecure.
United Way of SW Michigan does everything possible to provide responses and solutions that protect, improve and empower lives around the region. Last year, 51 programs at 34 different partner agencies received some sort of funding through United Way. More than 72,000 individuals were served, which is nearly 1 in 3 people in Berrien and Cass Counties. In order for many of those programs to receive state and federal grants, they must show that there is some local “skin in the game” in the form of local matching support. Essentially, more than $3-million was leveraged through United Way funding to support such programs last year.
At the helm of the 2017 campaign, daunting as it is, are two Co-Chairs — Dan Peat from Kinexus of Benton Harbor and Zack East of Mid-West Family Broadcasting.
Peat says, “Supporting United Way is an important role for us at Kinexus, as we know them to be a critical partner in addressing foundational community needs.” He adds, “I know if the United Way is involved, it’s worth getting on board, and it’s easy for me to support an organization that is strategically investing resources back into our region.”
In a bid to attract the elusive new donors in the market and help boost the level of giving, Tyler Automotive has partnered with United Way this year to provide a “car challenge.” Donors who give $156 ($3 per week) will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a 2-year lease on a sub-compact vehicle from Tyler Automotive. For every additional $100 contributed, donors will receive an additional entry into the drawing. Full details and rules are available by clicking this link: http://www.uwsm.org/winacar
Many companies have taken up the mantle of Pacesetters in the new campaign and have already launched their annual drive. They include:
- American Electric Power Company
- Mid-West Family Broadcasting
- 1st Source Bank
- Kemner Iott Benz
- Competitive Edge
- Edgewater Bank
- Leader Publications
- Chemical Bank
- Ravitron
- United Way of Southwest Michigan
If you or your company would like to get involved in the 2017 campaign or would like additional information on the annual effort, contact info@uwsm.org or call 269-982-1700. You can also visit online at www.uwsm.org.
