A Volunteer's View

Hi Everyone..........Arlene Koons here. I want to talk to you about volunteering. About a year ago, I "discovered" RSVP, a volunteer organization connected with United Way that helps to furnish volunteer help to various organizations in the 5 county area. I have done many fun things like working on the Parade of Homes, the Habitat Garden show, gift wrapping at the Mall at Christmas time for Habitat, helping with many mailings for various clients, working on the Give Kids a Smile project, which meant helping some of our local dentists give free dental checkups for school children around the area, etc., etc. I knew I could say no if the assignment was not to my liking, but it seems that everything I was asked to do turned out to be so much fun and so satisfying. I have met many wonderful people who are also giving of their time and talents. I have been asked how I can find the time to do this, but what I might say to those people who ask is, "just try it" and since time can always be changed around, they might be pleasantly surprised as to how much pleasure is derived from helping others. I am fully convinced that what I give comes back to me in the form of people helping me out with their helping hands. It is a wonderful feeling!!!!

I don't always have money to give, but I certainly have my time to give and I do that freely because that is my way of LIVING UNITED and giving back to my community.

Give5 Northwest Michigan!

Watch the video! Give $5 then pass this on to 5 of your friends and ask them to do the same. For just $5 and 5 minutes of your time, we can make a huge difference in this community.

Go to www.unitedwaynwmi.org and click on Give5 to donate $5.

Thank you to our friends who volunteered their time to take part in the making of this video:
Brian Sweebe
Arlene Koons
Lindsay Wolff
Tia Mannor
Jamie Sitek
Bill Wadsworth
Steve Wade
Christie Ward
Susan McQuaid
Michelle Gallagher
Wayne Westcott
Mary Gillette
and L.I.A.A. for letting us use their video editing equipment.

Our New R.S.V.P. Coordinator

I’ve just started at the United Way NW Michigan as the new part-time RSVP coordinator. While I’m still getting my feet wet here in the office, I’m looking forward to visiting the organizations where RSVP volunteers work, and to getting to know our volunteers. During my 16 years as one of the editors at the Record-Eagle, I interacted with many agencies and community volunteers. It will be fun now to see and talk with many of you again as I get to know better what you do and how you do it. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 947-3200, Ext. 207, email me at Kathy@unitedwaynwmi.org, or stop in and say Hello if you’re near the office.

How Mark Lives United

My first involvement with United Way was in 1981. My first real job out of college allowed for me to give by payroll deduction. It didn't seem like very much money and it was my first involvement with charitable giving. It made me feel like I was giving back and it still does.

When my children (twins) were born they were premature and in the hospital for 3 months. While making our multi-daily visits to the the neo-natal clinic, my wife and I became friends with other families visiting their new born babies under special care. Some were from out of town but were able to stay because of agency assistance. Many of those agencies were supported by United Way donations. At that time it really struck me what a difference United Way was making for those specific people. That made it real to me for the first time. I was not able to contribute by payroll deduction with my employer at that time and I felt a hole inside because I wasn't. Whether it wasn't convenient or I didn't get a solicitation in the mail, or whatever excuse I used at the time, it wasn't good enough at that moment and I promised myself that I would change that. That was 13 years ago and I have been involved since.

I was very proud when our current United Way President, Mike Hill asked me to join the Board of the United Way. I realize now that the work that the United Way does enables agencies that are at "Ground Zero" for many people that are in the fight of their life to survive. Whether it is agencies that provide food, clothing, and shelter or whether it is helping people cope that are at the end of their rope, I can help. And by telling the United Way story I can help others feel the same way. It takes a lot of courage to work at an agency that helps people deal with the hardships that they are enduring. Maybe there are others that are like me and want to help but find it difficult to be in the trenches.

United Way is how I participate and Live United.

Sincerely,
Mark Eckhoff
President, Fifth Third Bank

Y.A.H.O.O.

This a great group started by students at NMC, in just their first year of existence they have done a lot of good throughout the community. Look for big things to come from them in the years to come. If you would like more information about Y.A.H.O.O please contact Emily at sportshorty21@fastmail.net

Y.A.H.O.O. or Young Adults Helping Others Out, is comprised of high school students, college students, and community members. We currently have about 50 members and are always looking for new faces!

In the past we have volunteered at:

Birchwood Nursing Home (painted wooden angels with the residents during the holidays) Munson Manor Hospitality House (we baked cookies for the residents twice, and also provided a meal) Adult Work Center (we chaperoned their dance at the civic center, and also helped with their carnival) Safe Harbor (we stayed and visited with the people) Salvation Army (we conducted a can drive during the holidays to help the Salvation Army's food pantry; we also received a $2,000 grant from the Student Government Association to buy toys for their toy drive) We hosted an "ENVIRONMENT DAY" at NMC to promote being green Traverse City State Theatre

Upcoming Events:

Bayshore Marathon
Goodwill Inn
Cherryland Humane Society
IdleWild renovation

Y.A.H.O.O. members volunteer because we understand the importance of volunteering. We know that many of these non-profit organizations could not be a helpful resource to needy families and individuals unless they have volunteer help. We also understand that to be beneficial members of the community we must give back to the community through volunteering. The members of this group are always busy planning their next big project or fundraising to give back to these non-profit organizations.

When You See A Need

Like many, my first brush with United Way was through a payroll deduction plan on my first job. It didn’t mean too much, because United Way didn’t have a face for me. Even after I stopped working, United Way was still just a deduction on my husband’s paycheck.

It was after retirement in Traverse City that United Way became personal. In the Greater Grand Traverse Area, the community support for those in need is far-reaching. United Way is moving steadily toward its original concept of “one place to give” and its role as the primary community support system outside of government programs. Recently, United Way gave $325,000 to 33 agencies, which is part of the over $624,889 being invested in the community this year.

The financial support role of United Way can be significantly strengthened by a major expansion of the Volunteer Program to provide community support for worthy projects. Volunteer a few hours of time, one project at a time, or on a regular basis to make life a little bit better for someone else. Local help for local people is the United Way focus.

When you see a need, it’s hard to keep your hand down.

Barbara Rowlett
Secretary, United Way Board of Directors

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