The year's Top 5

Each year, hundreds of local companies and volunteers support United Way during a workplace campaign. Workplace campaigns are the very core of United Way's fundraising activities. We would like to salute our Top 5 for their ongoing support and generosity. Together the Top 5 raised $192,000 for our community.  Top 5 Workplace Campaigns ITW Coding Products Fifth Third Bank Hillshire Brands Forkardt an ITW Workholding Company Meijer  *Our rankings are formulated by the combined total of amount raised and the employee participation rate.

We Need YOU!

United Way's Employee Campaign in local workplaces is about bringing people together to tackle our community's most difficult issues because no one person or organization can do it alone. Whether you're a small business, major corporation, or even a nonprofit we can get you started today. Every workplace campaign is different and can be shaped around your organization's culture. Setting up and running a campaign is simple and we can help you every step of the way. Employees can contribute through payroll deductions or easy-to-use online tools. Many companies double their impact by matching their employees' giving dollar for dollar. The money raised supports vital human services that help people right here in our community.   If you are interested in learning more about the workplace campaign and joining other local business leaders in workplace giving, please contact Michelle Krumm at 231-947-3200 Ext. 204.

Ice Cream Social and Family Fun Day!

On June 8 from noon to 6 pm Buchan's Blueberry Hill and the Traverse City Parrothead Club will be hosting an ice cream social and family fun day at Buchan's farm, 1472 Nelson Road.  Come out and enjoy Buchan's homemade ice cream, bring the kids so they can hang out in the Kids Zone where they can play games, do crafts, pet the animals, and enjoy a hot dog lunch.  Cost to enter the Kids Zone is just $5 per person and all proceeds benefit United Way of Northwest Michigan.

Catholic Heart Work Camp is here to VOLUNTEER!

Do you represent an organization in need of volunteers this summer? 

In mid-July, Traverse City will play host to the Catholic Heart Work Camp - a group of visiting adults and students (ages 14 - 20). Their main purpose while here in TC is to volunteer -  and they need projects to do! 

We'd love to provide you with volunteers, so let us know if you can accommodate one or more teams of 6 volunteers (5 kids/1 adult) for work from 8:30am-3pm during the week of July 17-20. Think big! These volunteers will be ready to work on projects big or small. Keep in mind that it is just fine if you have an age limit for volunteerism - just make sure you let us know so we can have volunteers of the right age come to your project. Also - these volunteers have transportation and are willing to travel 30 - 40 minutes outside of TC - you don't have to be in TC to take advantage of their volunteer efforts!

Please contact Amanda Hilt (231-947-3200x206,amanda@unitedwaynwmi.org) at the Volunteer Center with project ideas. 

Days of Action Book Drive

United Way of Northwest Michigan Volunteer Center is putting out a call for gently used or new children’s books during its annual book drive, scheduled for the week of May 13 through 17, 2013.

The books will be used during the Volunteer Center’s second annual Days of Action, literacy celebration events scheduled in four surrounding counties in June. All collected books will be supplied to children who attend the free-of-charge events in order to help encourage continued reading engagement by families throughout the summer months.

“Our Day of Action events provide families with free literacy activities to engage their children with over the summer.” Said Amanda Hilt, Youth and Family Volunteer Coordinator at United Way of Northwest Michigan. “In addition to providing literacy activities, gently used books are available for children and parents to take home and keep. Reading is incredibly important to continue over the summer. Many families may not have easy access to libraries and having books to keep at home, free of restrictions is wonderful.”

To donate, please drop off your gently used or new books to the local TCAPS elementary school nearest you, or to the United Way of Northwest Michigan offices at 521 S. Union, Traverse City.