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Many things make Washtenaw County great. Chief among them is our collective spirit of compassion, generosity and partnership. It's a spirit that knows no boarders. That's especially evident in the local response to the water crisis in Flint.
When the threat to public health became clear last fall, United Way of Genesee County took a lead role in helping address people's needs. Our close relationship with UWGC allowed us to immediately ask, "How can we help?"
Since then, your United Way, along with our partners and supporters have stepped up in many ways:
- We're serving as a local point of contact for Washtenaw companies, schools and volunteers groups looking to help, connecting them to the right people at UWGC to coordinate donations and volunteers. Our 2-1-1 call system is always there when people need it.
- We're sharing a flyer that describes specific, effective ways to help, including how and where to volunteer, how to make financial gifts and how and where to make donations of bottled water. Click here to print your own copy - and please share it with others!
- We're using our digital tools, including our website, Facebook and Twitter, to educate and update the community on ways to assist the people of Flint.
- Our staff have driven over 2 tons of bottles water to Flint and then filled their trailer with empty bottles to alleviate some of the recycling burden. we offered to send some of our staff to help support UWGC on the ground. Local United Ways are there for the community and each other.
- United Way board members are assisting Representative Adam Zemke with his effort to generate 100,000 donated bottled of water.
- Our labor friends have been terrific champions of support. The Huron Valley Central Labor Council donated $1,000.00 to the Flint Water Fund. To date: UAW Local 898 held a bottle drive and collected $200.00, UAW Local 892 collected bottled water and $800.00 in cash donations all of which Faurecia will match, and UAW Local 1284 recently delivered 19,000 bottles of water to the Flint community. We are grateful for their support!
Our United Way remains closely connected to our contact in Genesee County so we're aware of the emerging needs and how we can help in the best possible ways. That what United Way and the people of Washtenaw County are all about.
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