Archive for 2019
Year in Review: Advocacy Efforts
Give. Advocate. Volunteer. These are the core elements of what we do at United Way. We’ve put an especially strong focus on advocacy in 2019, as public policy continues to be an area in which we can work to eliminate barriers and improve systems that impact many in our community. Looking outward, we are turning…
Read MoreUnited Way Dogs at Work
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” -Charles Schultz Our United Way staff discovered during 2019 that puppies – and older dogs – really do equal happiness, or at least provide a bit of comfort and therapeutic stress relief. After a few drop-in dog visits proved popular, we instituted a dogs at work policy that allowed for…
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Year in Review:
Pop Up Volunteering
In 2019, 21,101 individuals were impacted by Pop Up Volunteering events. Pop Up Volunteering (PUV) enables groups to complete projects wherever they may be – offices, corporate gatherings, churches or other locations. “Pop Up Volunteering allows us to help fill the immediate need within the community,” said Claire Michael, Engagement and Resource Development Associate at…
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Year in Review:
Pop Up Giving
Did you attend a Pop Up Giving this year? If so, you know that they are eye-opening, impactful, and always involve good eats. We hope you also know that you made a difference. Pop Up Giving popped up four times this year, and between donations from attendees, match sponsors and event sponsors, we were able…
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Year in Review:
Impact Events
400 jobseekers. 5,000 books. 10,000 diapers. 100,000 meals. We packed a lot of impact into one year!
Read More‘Completely Shocked!’ Stryker Employee Wins UW Sweepstakes
Before today, Jessica Parnaby would have told you she’d never won anything in her life. She can’t say that anymore; on Wednesday, Parnaby learned that she is this year’s United Way Sweepstakes automobile winner.
Read MoreKellogg’s Club Crackers fights hunger, promotes volunteerism
This season, Kellogg’s Club Crackers is partnering with United Way BCKR with a $25,000 donation and social media video promoting volunteerism. The donation will go toward the distribution of 1.6 million servings of food to local families in an effort to fight food insecurity. In Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, 1 in 7 adults and 1…
Read MoreImpact Week: From Belief to Impact
Editor’s note: Wrapping up our Impact Week focus is Stephanie Slingerland, Chair of the United Way BCKR Board of Directors and Director of Philanthropy and Social Impact at Kellogg Company. Not long ago, a customer asked about Kellogg’s charitable activities. We were delighted to answer him—Kellogg does a lot all over the world, especially in…
Read MoreImpact Week: Initiatives, Advocacy Move the Work Forward
Grantmaking, in one form or another, has been a part of United Way’s history for decades. For a lot of people, it’s what we’re known for, and supporting our partners with funding is still a big part of how we drive impact. However, grantmaking alone won’t propel us to our community level goals of increased…
Read MoreImpact Week: Volunteers are the Heart
Volunteers create lasting change and provide invaluable support for the nonprofit community. National statistics from the Independent Sector show that in 2019, a volunteer’s time was valued at an average of $25.43 per hour. United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region alone worked with 6,259 volunteers just last year. “Volunteers are transforming our…
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