Change the Story
Hundreds Of Area Students Come Together In Community-Wide 'Youth Day of Caring' Volunteer Effort
Today, 475 Calhoun County teenagers played hooky from school. It wasn’t a mass protest; rather, it was a powerful example of young people making a difference through volunteerism. Students from nine Calhoun County area schools took part in the eigth annual Youth Day of Caring. Volunteer groups, ranging in size from five to 75 high…
Read MoreEnvisioning A Vibrant Community
Your United Way has embarked on one of its most exciting journeys ever. Earlier this evening, during our annual recognition and impact event, we announced a new vision, mission and community-level goals that aim to transform our region in specific, measurable and powerful ways. The text of our news release, which appears at the…
Read MoreHelp Now! Fund Update
The United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Battle Creek Community Foundation and Kalamazoo Community Foundation are amazed and grateful for the heart-felt community support of the Help Now! Fund. It’s our privilege to provide you with this update on how these gifts are making a difference. More than $218,000 has been donated…
Read MoreNational School Breakfast Week | Breakfast in the Classroom
What side of the bed kids get up on doesn’t really set the tone of their day; it’s whether they get fed. For students at Battle Creek Public Schools, breakfast is a guarantee—and that’s paying off in healthier students, better grades and fewer disciplinary issues. Starting last fall, the four-year-old Breakfast in the Classroom program…
Read MoreWe are stronger together
Since the February 20 tragic shootings that claimed six innocent lives and critically wounded two, we’ve witnessed the power of resiliency and compassion throughout our region. People gathering to light candles, say prayers and hold one another. Outpourings of sympathy, united in a single phrase: Let us help. Our regional community is unique in its resolve to…
Read MoreHelp Now! Fund will address needs related to Feb. 20 tragedies
In response to Saturday’s tragedies in Kalamazoo County, and in an effort to address both immediate and long-term community needs related to community violence, a collaborative group of local nonprofits has established a fund. Battle Creek Community Foundation, Kalamazoo Community Foundation and United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region will be partnering with…
Read MoreLong-Time Denso Employee Scores New Wheels As 2015 United Way Sweepstakes Winner
Susan Schoder got quite a holiday surprise when she was called to the front entrance of Denso Manufacturing Michigan: She was the winner of a new car. Schoder, a Battle Creek resident and a 25-year employee at Denso, was chosen at random from thousands of qualified donors in this year’s United Way campaign to win…
Read More#GivingTuesday Opens Doors To Get Involved
Turning good intentions into action is the driving force behind Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to encouraging people to support and engage with nonprofit programs. Giving Tuesday was launched in 2012 by dozens of participating nonprofits, including United Way. Held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it’s an alternative to holiday shopping days Black Friday and…
Read MoreAspiring Leaders United Helping to Change the Story
Aspiring Leaders United (ALU) believes every child deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential. To support the next generation of Leaders, ALU is working to provide books for Battle Creek’s Verona Elementary Library. As mentioned in a previous blog post, the group is working to raise $3,000 and holding book drives to outfit the…
Read MoreA Better Region: The Real Gold of Competition
Olympic great Jesse Owens called the friendships he forged as an athlete “the real gold of competition.” Among local supporters of United Way, competition brings an added benefit: more people getting involved to change the story in our region. Several communities and organizations are upping the stakes in their workplace campaigns by competing with…
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