Archive for June 2013
Corrie
“IT WAS VERY HELPFUL HAVING THIS PERSON IN MY LIFE WHO HAD BEEN THERE TO HELP ME DO THE RIGHT THING.”
Read MoreFrom the Campaign Trails: The 2012 Health Bus Tour
In between the fun of our two great Community Campaign Kickoff events, UWBCKR supporters in Kalamazoo had the opportunity to board a charter bus and get a glimpse into the impact they have on the community. Each year, the bus tour focuses on one of our pillars of Education, Income or Health, visiting three local…
Read MoreChanging the Story: Days of Caring
While we know how important raising the combined $15.3 million is for our regional community, we also know that money alone won’t solve everything. Which is why we’re thrilled to see so many of our corporate partners step up not just for workplace campaigns, but for volunteering as well. Days of Caring are United Way…
Read MoreHealthy Behavior Challenge
One of our focus pillars at United Way is health, and we’re passionate about helping everyone in our community live well. We’re also passionate about the health of our staff, which is why our wellness program leaders decided to up the ante a little: with a healthy behavior challenge against Big Brothers Big Sisters staff!…
Read MoreKiersten Meales is Changing the Story
Kiersten Meales seems like an ordinary Western Michigan University freshmen: she’s studying early childhood education, volunteering around campus, and is hoping to become a resident assistant in her future years. What sets Kiersten apart, and drives her passion for helping others is her deep understanding of struggle. Kiersten grew up in the foster care system…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: WMU Students Lend a Hand
Students are an extremely valuable part of the community we live in. Now, I suppose I am a little biased since I am a student. But, as I approach graduation, I’m taking more notice of the active role students play in changing people’s lives for the better. At United Way of the Battle Creek and…
Read MoreUnited Way; A Catalyst for Change
If I do my job right, you’ll never again think of United Way as simply a fundraiser. Of course, that’s how most people view United Way – understandably so, since raising and investing funds in the community is an important part of our work. But if our region is to thrive, United Way must be…
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving!
Since the annual holiday season begins with Thanksgiving Day, I want to bring that theme to this letter. Please accept my deepest gratitude and appreciation for your unwavering support of United Way. Without your generosity we would not be able to mobilize the great resources of our community to improve people’s lives in real, meaningful…
Read MoreUnited Way: Why Partnering Matters
As the saying goes, “Nothing ever changes until somebody motivates a critical mass of the right people to commit to change.” It’s a good saying – and it happens to be true. The need for change is immense. You don’t have to look far to find troubling statistics on school readiness and achievement, children and…
Read MoreCreating Opportunities Through Reading
I’ve always been impressed by the great work being done through the Early Grade Reading Pilot Program at Verona Elementary School in Battle Creek. But it’s much more powerful to actually see the excitement the children had for reading. Last week Thursday, I joined several families for Verona’s Literacy Night. I saw first-hand that this…
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