Chemical Bank Celebrates
Jean Day for United Way
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Chemical Bank leaders challenged their employees to exceed their United Way goal this year. The staff responded in a big way, surpassing their stretch goal! To reward their commitment to the community, employees were treated to the first-ever Jeans Day at Chemical Bank. We were thrilled to be a part of this historic moment! 

Jim Nigro and McKay Press
Planners with a Purpose
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Wanting to do something special for their clients, McKay Press creates and distributes yearly planners as a “thank-you for doing business” gift. Their customized planners have become very popular with not only their clients, but community members as well. As a way to give back, Jim Nigro, VP of Sales and Marketing at McKay Press, encouraged folks to make a donation to United Way--in exchange he would gladly give them one of the popular planners. 

Great Lakes Investment Advisors
Passion in Action
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Great Lakes Investment Advisors has a passion for giving back to the community where they live and work. At their annual Client Appreciation Holiday Celebration they asked their clients to share their Christmas spirit by bringing donations and gifts for United Way’s Sharing Tree. To make it fun, clients received raffle tickets toward a prize drawing. Additional tickets were available for a $5 cash donation – which resulted in $250 extra dollars for the United Way!

Subway Restaurants
Tips to Share
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Subway employees rallied around the idea of helping local families in need at Christmastime. Some staffers who, themselves, had received help in the past were pleased to be able to give back this year. As individuals, they could each make a little difference, but together, with the generous support of their customers, they could help a lot. They collected tips and raised more than $800 for United Way’s Sharing Tree program. Their generosity will put gifts under the trees of families who may not have had a Christmas.

Members First Credit Union High School Branches Candy Canes for a Cause
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High school students at Midland, Dow, Meridian and Bullock Creek shared their Christmas joy with friends while helping those in need. At the Members First Credit Union high school branches, students could send candy cane grams for only fifty cents. Proceeds benefitted the United Way Sharing Tree, fulfilling Christmas wishes for many area families.

Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute Bring Joy to Needy Families
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Fifteen Midland County high school students participated in the Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute. To give back to our community in a meaningful way, they selected fifteen Sharing Tree tags, and shopped for the gifts. Students enjoyed a wrapping party where they presented the gifts to United Way. According to Bridget Sadenwater, UWMC Volunteer Manager, “It was rewarding to see the generosity of our teens. They were excited about creating a happy Christmas for others.”

Dr. Klomparens' office is helping
families find their way
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Dr. Klomparens understands that the teen years can be challenging for parents and kids alike. The decisions kids make at that time in their lives can have lasting impact. To help parents navigate the tricky waters of raising teens, Dr Klomparens provides a resource library of inspiring books to read in the waiting room, or to check out to take home. Thank you for making a difference, one family at a time!

Joe Valenta
Passion for People
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Volunteer Joe Valenta has a warm smile, a welcoming handshake and a lifetime of stories to share with everyone who walks through the doors of the Midland Community Center. Inspired by his late wife, Denise, this vibrant ninety-seven year-old Dow retiree has been volunteering since 1980. He loves to connect with people and on any given day can be found greeting guests, making phone calls and even hanging pictures.

Kepler Grandchildren Wishing Others Well
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Born to a family that believes in sharing their blessings, the Kepler grandchildren invited their friends and neighbors to live generously too. During the summer months the kids placed a wishing well at the end of the driveway and welcomed passersby to donate their change to United Way. By the end of the summer the change grew to a $65 contribution.  Even our youngest citizens can make a difference!

Midland Chemic Baseball Field of Dreams
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To give back to the little league that inspired their love of baseball, the Midland Chemic Baseball Team dedicated over 125 hours to improving a ball field. The boys planted trees, spread mulch, edged the infield and made improvements to create the best possible conditions for the next generation of players to learn to love the game.

Gary Veurink--Refocused in Retirement
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Impact Area: Health

After a fulfilling corporate career, Gary Veurink transitioned from success to significance. Fighting for human rights, Gary helps to lead International Justice Mission (IJM), a Washington, DC based global agency. They rescue victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and violent oppression. Committed to bringing relief to victims, accountability to perpetrators and lasting change for the poor in the developing world, IJM with Gary’s help is making a difference one victim at a time.

Victoria Hutter is Inspired to Share
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Impact Area: Education

Ten year-old Victoria was inspired by church camp. She and her friends held a lemonade stand and saved their money for special use. Because she had been donating stuffed animals, toys and outgrown clothing her whole life, Victoria knew she wanted to donate the $9 she earned to United Way. "I know our family doesn't have a lot, but there are people who need it much more than we do," she explained. What an amazing girl--you inspire us Victoria!

Brothers John, Paul and Silas Bring Their Best
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Impact Area: Education

We love volunteering to make a difference in the lives of children!  We help kids develop a passion for reading through the Summer Reading Program at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. As Safety Town volunteers, my brothers and I teach preschoolers how to cross the street, basic first aid and playground safety.  As mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Teaming up for YOUth program, we are role models for elementary school kids.

Volunteering is one of our passions. We get all the thanks we need when we see the kids’ faces light up with smiles.

Connecting with the Nature Center
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Impact Area: Health

My granddaughter and I spend Sunday mornings in the woods together.  For the last four years, we have dedicated time to maintaining trails at the Chippewa Nature Center. We trim back growth, remove fallen trees and branches and make sure the trails are passable. Caleigh’s favorite part is hopping in the golf cart to haul the debris we collect. In summer, we visit the pigs at the Homestead.

Caleigh and I have grown very close, and I treasure the time we spend together. We’re lucky to have a volunteer activity that we both love and that has given so much back to both Caleigh and me.

Submitted by Colette St. Louis, UWMC Board Member

Dow Chemical Employees Shirt in Action
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The employees of The Dow Chemical Company are committed to impacting the Midland community.

In order to add delicious fun to this year's United Way campaign, Michigan Operations held its first-ever Chili Cook-off to raise awareness for this year's United Way Campaign. The big event was held on Tuesday, September 29 at 1790 Bldg, Michigan Operations and drew 21 team competitors.

Competitors fiercely (all in good fun, of course) competed to win the ultimate prize...annual bragging rights for the best chili ever! The grand prize winner also won a chili-pot traveling trophy.

Everyone was a winner, but bragging rights for the best Chili for this year went to the Methocel Team with their "Old Risky Chili."

Scouts Serve Our Community
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Impact Area: Self-Sufficiency

The Scouting for Food program has collected more than 20% of the food needed for the 2009 calendar year to feed the near homeless in Midland County through the Salvation Army! Leadership is taught by many organizations but the Boy Scouts teach how to give back and be a part of the solution; earn your award, sacrifice for others in need and above all show reverence to everyone.

Local employees of The Dow Chemical Company mobilized to give canned goods and compassion. Joining ranks with the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army, they set out to feed the hungry and open their hearts to our neighbors in need.

Teaming Up to Work the Trails
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Impact Area: Health

We teamed with the United Way of Midland County to take part in Spring Season of Caring. The focus was the Riverview Natural Area Project brought to us by the Little Forks Conservancy. Eight employees from the Dow Customer Service Center devoted an afternoon to help create a community trail that hugs the Tittabawassee River and spans much of the Riverview Natural Area. 

Various tasks included trimming branches, raking a path, and moving timber to set the boundaries of the trail. It was easy to see on everyone’s face how much they enjoyed volunteering. The greatest reward of the afternoon was to see and hear how grateful the representative from Little Forks was, and taking a moment to admire the work they were able to complete.

Deputies Devote Time to Give and Serve
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Everyday, the deputies of the Midland Patrol Deputies Association makes a difference whether “on-duty” or “off duty”.  Deputies volunteer for numerous community programs, group fundraisers and church functions. Over the years, members of the MPDA have provided financial support for projects like North Midland Family Center brick paver project, Trilogy skate park, Midland Law Enforcement Memorial, and Sanford fishing platform. 

Every year, deputies individually support the United Way. In 2009, we “answered the call” to be a United Way pacesetter.  Alongside the United Way, the MPDA is committed to making the Midland Community a better place to live!

Cancer Survivor Dedicates 20 Years to Helping
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Impact Area: Health

Gretta Coppens is the recipient of United Way's 2009 Individual Heart of the Community Award. Susan Dusseau, of Cancer Services, nominated Gretta for dedicating more than 20 years to providing emotional support to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. 

A cancer survivor herself, Gretta has crafted and donated thousands of heart-shaped post-surgical pillows for patients recovering from a mastectomy.

Built a Railing While Building a Relationship
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Impact Area: Health

The members of Senior Services Team Handyman volunteer with local seniors to keep them safe and independent. 

This group not only builds stairs and installs smoke detectors, but takes the time to delight in stories of days gone by.

Bundling Children With Hope and Compassion
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Impact Area: Health

Every day, families escaping the horrors of domestic violence are forced to leave everything behind as they land on the steps of Shelterhouse.

A group of Chemical Bank employees advocate for the youngest survivors, by wrapping them in love and blankets as they start over at Shelterhouse.

Deloitte Impact Day
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Impact Area: Education

More than twenty-five Deloitte volunteers headed out to West Midland Family Center to make a difference amidst a challenging economic climate, kicking-off the organization's 10th Annual IMPACT Day.  IMPACT Day is a one-day celebration of Deloitte's longtime commitment to community involvement and workplace volunteerism.

Deloitte employees took on landscaping projects, including trimming shrubbery, spreading wood chips, removing stumps and spreading dirt through low areas of the playground.  The pool areas, basketball courts and outdoor restrooms also received attention from the team of volunteers.

"The 10th Annual IMPACT Day is a salute to Deloitte's decade of service," said Don Riegger, Tax Partner.  "It is rewarding to have a positive impact on local organizations like the West Midland Family Center, which are so important to the Midland Community."  The Midland contingent is part of a huge mobilization of talent and good will; all 40,000+ Deloitte people across the country are encouraged to volunteer on IMPACT Day.

Kids Care Club Teaches Compassion
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Impact Area: Education

Guided by caring community volunteers, eager fourth graders at Longview Elementary School meet weekly during the school year to help solve our communities' problems.  These caring kids have identified issues in their school and neighborhoods and are putting together service projects to provide solutions.  They have planted flowers for and have become pen pals with the residents of Nottingham Place. 

Kids Care Club volunteers are dedicated to developing compassion and inspiring a spirit of volunteering in elementary and middle school children. "Teaching kids at an early age that they can make a difference in their school and community is empowering," says Janet Fergin, United Way volunteer coordinator.

Girls on the Run
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Impact Area: Health, Self-Sufficiency

Last year more than 100 third through fifth graders participated in Girls on the Run, an after school program with a mission of empowering girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. National research shows that girls who complete the program reported increased self-esteem, a healthier body image, and an increase in physical activity.  
 
Trained coaches lead twenty-four sessions over a twelve-week season, encouraging these girls to celebrate their unique selves, to make and keep good friends, and how to make a difference in their communities. 

Red Cross Volunteers Provide Comfort
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Impact Area: Health, Self-Sufficiency

Three year-old Jasmine and her four year-old brother, Rylee, were asleep in their home.  Their older siblings had just left for school and the family had settled back to sleep on a cold late-winter morning. Without warning, an electrical fire erupted inside a bedroom wall where Jasmine and Rylee were sleeping. Their parents struggled to reach the children, but their desperate attempts were blocked by flames, heat and smoke surrounding their rental home. The parents narrowly escaped the fire with their infant child. Tragically, firefighters were unable to save Jasmine and Rylee.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross were called to the scene by Central Dispatch that morning to provide refreshments and respite for the first responders battling the fire.  After the parents were released from the hospital, Red Cross was able to provide emergency clothing and food.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Circle of Giving
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Impact Area: Education

Big Sister Amy mentored Little Sister Janae for five years. They had a wonderful relationship and filled their time together with  all the fun things young girls enjoy. Amy focused on improving all areas of Janae’s life, including sharing the importance of giving back to others. For Janae’s twelfth birthday, she demonstrated her compassion for others. She asked her guests to bring gifts for sick children in the “Make a Child Smile” program, instead of gifts for her. Amy and Janae truly LIVE UNITED!

Teen Shares Time and Talent
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Impact Area: Education

Volunteering is fun!  One of my favorite volunteer activities is face painting. I also volunteer at the library, United Way Volunteer Center and for the Civitan Club. I volunteer because it feels good to know I am helping others. It also provides me with experience that will help in my future employment. I think everyone should volunteer to help our community!

Impacting the Community
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Impact Area: Self-Sufficiency

I have been a Community Impact panelist with United Way Midland County for the past nine years. This has been a very rewarding experience as I interacted with the UW agencies and saw their facilities and what services they provide to Midland County residents.

I volunteer with my church in various activities that impact not just the members of our church, but Midland County residents providing a food pantry, and serving lunches at the Open Door just to name a few that our church impacts.

Reading Recovery
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Impact Area: Education

Literacy Council tutor Gene, was matched with Carl who needed to re-learn to read after enduring a six-week long coma. Carl thought the coma had done permanent damage and was unsure if he still had the capacity to learn.  Working closely with Gene, Carl’s reading level progressed quickly. As he regained his reading skills, his confidence soared. 

Thanks to his partnership with Gene, Carl knew he could overcome obstacles and tackle whatever the future holds!

Circle of Service
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Impact Area: Education, Self-Sufficiency

I began my journey of community involvement 35 years ago. I had the opportunity to lead my company’s annual United Way campaign, and to encourage employees to give of their time and talents. It was a rewarding experience and motivated me to become more involved with United Way; I served as a Loaned Executive, a member of the Campaign Cabinet, division chair, pacesetter and helped to promote online giving.

Advocating Through The ARC
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Impact Area: Self-Sufficiency

Rick is a client of The ARC of Midland who has received services to learn to work successfully, save his money and live independently. He purchased his own home, works at the Loons and travels around town on his moped.  Rick is grateful for all he has accomplished in life and is eager to help others. He helps his elderly neighbors with raking and snow removal. Rick understands the importance of each of us making a difference in our community.

Linking in to Literacy
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Impact Area: Education, Self-Sufficiency

Aeyoung Johnson, a native of Seoul, Korea, has accomplished so much since she came to Midland five years ago, unable to speak any English. She obtained her Michigan driver’s license. Building on experience as a beautician in Korea, she passed the state cosmetology exam and is a licensed hair stylist. She now works in a Midland-area salon and can carry on a conversation in English.

Her next goal is to pass the citizenship test so that she can become a United States citizen.
“I love America, and my husband is American. I need citizenship for my family.”

The Literacy Council was there to help Mrs. Johnson reach her goals at each step along her path toward employment and possible citizenship.