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Campaign 2016
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It is hard to believe another summer has gone by. Students are heading back to school, and the weather will soon turn cooler. With autumn also comes the annual United Way campaign in Clare and Gladwin Counties. A few sponsors are still needed for our Kickoff Breakfasts in Clare and Gladwin Counties, and volunteers are always needed to be a part of our Campaign Cabinet, chaired this year by Rep. Joel Johnson. If you would like to be a sponsor or volunteer for the cabinet in Clare or Gladwin County, please contact our office as soon as possible!
Last year, because of our United Way, 25 agencies in Clare and Gladwin County received funding for programs that benefit Clare and Gladwin County residents of all ages, from infants to seniors! Over 10,000 people were served by United Way funded programs in Clare and Gladwin counties, and in addition to that number, over 8,000 people in our counties used 211 information and referral and Listening Ear 24 hour crisis line services that are also funded by United Way! Funding programs like these through the allocation process is one way United Way brings people, resources, and organizations together to positively impact our community in the areas of Education, Income Stability, Health, and Basic Needs.
Because of last year's campaign, United Way was also able to participate once again in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance preparation program coordinated by MMCAA in Clare and Gladwin Counties. United Way hosted a site in Clare County, and provided IRS certified staff in both Clare and Gladwin Counties to prepare returns for low income seniors, families, and the disabled. Because of this free service, over $100,000 in refunds and credits were returned to community members from the United Way hosted site alone. United Way is proud to be a part of the tax assistance program in Clare and Gladwin Counties.
In addition, the United Way campaign makes it possible to promote volunteerism in Clare and Gladwin Counties. Teri Ehle-McGuire has worked tirelessly on projects throughout Gladwin County, including teaching a Life Skills Sewing Class at Michigan Works. Students in the class complete projects for area nonprofit agencies like the Gladwin County Baby Pantry and New Dawn Shelter. Teri has also coordinated improvement projects at the Gladwin County Baby Pantry and the United Way Community Services Building, which houses Shelterhouse and Gladwin-Ogemaw Habitat for Humanity. In Clare County, we are excited to be collaborating with our area chambers of commerce and nonprofit partners towards a joint initiative to promote volunteering among our students, seniors, employees and more. Stay tuned for details, and please contact us if you want to get involved.
These are just a few of the things that are made possible because of our communities' support of the United Way campaign in Clare and Gladwin Counties. Won't you join us again this year? We so appreciate your support!
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Gladwin County Baby Pantry Upgraded!
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On one of the hottest days of August so far, volunteers came out for a project organized by UWCGC Gladwin County Assistant Teri Ehle-McGuire and benefiting the Gladwin County Baby Pantry! Volunteers helped move supplies to the storage area so they could paint the two front rooms. They also painted the exterior door and window trim. Several community members have already noticed the fresh look! The new paint really brightened up the previously dark paneling in one of the rooms, and Teri, who also teaches a life skills sewing class for United Way, made some new valances that will grace the windows. Even though the temperatures were high, volunteers enjoyed a great day of camaraderie as they worked together talking and laughing throughout the day. The joy of getting to know new people and the satisfaction of a job well done are just a couple of the many benefits of volunteering. If you or your workplace or group would like to get involved, contact us today!
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Lunch Buddies Jaedalin and Jessica
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Partner Agency Spotlight:
Mid Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters
Mid-Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters offers the Lunch Buddies program to local elementary school students during the school year. Adults in the community and high school students have the opportunity to mentor an elementary student once a week during lunch and recess. These Lunch Buddy matches build their relationship over the school year by listening, playing games, helping with school work, and simply talking about the student's day. By having a positive role model and building a caring relationship, we repeatedly see these children boost their school performance, raise their self-confidence, and set more on a path to greater success.
This year, we had an incredibly successful Lunch Buddy program in Farwell schools with an all-star group of high school students. Joseph Green, Alexis Andreas, Justis Sunderman, Aleasha Dishneau, Jaedalin Wilson, Jordyn Smith, Cassandra Yonts, Jillian Yule, Jeralyn Ranes, and Kalynn Brandon all volunteered their time as Bigs this year to make a difference in the lives of their Littles. They have
demonstrated commitment and compassion for their Littles while developing significant relationships. Each Big has their own story of the progress they have seen in their Little throughout the year, from helping them get caught up on late assignments to getting less lunch detentions, dealing with bullying to making new friends, and opening up more in communication to building self-confidence. These students are outstanding representatives of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Farwell High School.
One of these matches was Jaedalin and her Little, Jessica. They enjoyed walking around at recess, getting to know each other and talking about their weeks. Jaedalin helped Jessica practice her multiplication tables for her weekly quizzes. Jessica enjoyed having someone to talk to who cared about her interests.
Whether you are a Lunch Buddy or a regular community-based mentor in Clare or Gladwin County, it only takes 4 hours (or lunch periods) a month to do something Big for a child. If you would like more information about our program, please call us at (989) 386-9304, e-mail us at [email protected], or check us out on Facebook. Mid Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way of Clare and Gladwin Counties funded program that serves both counties.
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