The United Way of Southwest Michigan is preparing for a big celebration next month.
The United Way’s Zack East tells us “Our Impact, Our People” will be held April 24 to highlight all of the things the organization and its partners are able to do to improve life here in Southwest Michigan.
“This is a great opportunity for everybody in the three-county area to get together and learn about what’s been happening, but also learn how they can help forward,” East said.
East says the event in past years was called “An Evening of Gratitude,” but this year, they want to do more to showcase the people that make the United Way’s programs possible. On hand will be guest speaker John Farden with United Way Worldwide.
“He’s going to simply talk about how United Way helps bring communities together, especially at a time like now where funding decisions are being made federally and by the state level that could change the trajectory of how some of our local, state, and federal agencies operate and how that might affect our communities.”
East says the winners of the United Way’s volunteer awards will be announced at the celebration. The two awards are the Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award, given to a volunteer from Berrien County, and the Judge Susan L. Dobrich Volunteer Leadership Award, given to a volunteer from Cass County. He notes they got plenty of nominations for the honors this year.
“Our Impact, Our People” will be held at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center on the 24th and tickets are available now. They’re $40 each. East says the deadline to get a ticket is coming up this week.
