St. Joseph, MI: Despite difficult economic times, community members rallied together to help United Way of Southwest Michigan raise almost $3 million during its 2008 annual campaign. The $2,896,800 raised is the result of a community-wide effort. Businesses, employees and individual donors came together to help support a wide range of needs in southwest Michigan. United Way supporters gathered at Lake Michigan College Thursday evening to celebrate the campaign and learn more about future United Way plans. 

“We were a little worried going into this campaign,” said 2008 United Way Campaign Chairman Mary Jo Tomasini. “But when it came right down to it, people here care about their neighbors, their friends and they know that United Way is a great way to reach a large group of people with one gift. We have talked about how we need to Live United. I think the ability to raise nearly $3 million in these times really speaks to the heart of our community.”

Live United was the theme of this year’s campaign. “The bottom line is that we’re all in this together,” United Way President Anna Murphy explained at the celebration. “If you don’t succeed, I don’t succeed. If children don’t come to school ready to learn or families can’t earn enough to be independent – or we don’t make good choices that sustain our health – we as a community cannot succeed.”

As part of the celebration, United Way announced new focus areas of education, income and health. In addition to the focus areas, United Way will continue to provide funding for basic needs. United Way is making some changes in how local non-profit agencies are funded to direct more dollars toward the crucial areas of education, income and health in the coming year. Non-profit directors are invited to attend Community Partnership Funding Meetings at the end of the month to learn more about the new funding process.

The Celebration also provided an opportunity to recognize the many businesses that ran successful United Way Campaigns and individuals who gave, advocated and volunteered for United Way.   

Outstanding Employee Campaigns

These companies ran high quality employee campaigns this year. Our “Outstanding Employee Campaign” companies averaged employee participation levels of 68 percent and together raised over $2.3 million dollars.

“These companies really pull out all the stops to run high quality campaigns that are fun exciting and informative for the employees,” United Way Campaign Cabinet Member Carl Spikner said at the celebration. “Hosting United Way Information Rallies and events such as Tricycle Races, Bosses make Breakfast, Chocolate sales, Gift Basket Raffles, as well as many creative drawings and fund-raisers for employees to get involved.”

The companies honored were:

First Source Bank

American Electric Power – Cook Nuclear Plant

APL Logistics

Ausco Products

Berrien County Cancer Service (A United Way Partner Agency)

Berrien Springs Public Schools

Boys & Girls club of Benton Harbor (A United Way Partner Agency)

Buchanan Community Schools

Chemical Bank

Competitive Edge

Edgewater Bank

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Gast Manufacturing, IDEX Corporation

Indiana Michigan Power Company

Lake Michigan College

Lakeland Regional Health System

Lakeshore Public Schools

Meijer, Inc.

Michigan Works

Mid-west Family Broadcasting

Plante & Moran

Printek, Inc.

Senior Nutrition Services (A United Way Partner Agency)

Shepherd Caster Corporation

United Federal Credit Union

Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan (A United Way Partner Agency

Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation – Benton Harbor Division

YMCA Family Center of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph (A United Way Partner Agency)

LIVE UNITED Award

United Way presented the first annual LIVE UNITED Award to Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

The award is given to a company that goes above and beyond in their efforts to support the United Way. “One company in particular has been committed to supporting the United Way by committing to GIVE, ADVOCATE AND VOLUNTEER,” Murphy said speaking of Mid-West Family Broadcasting in the award presentation. “This company GIVES every year with an outstanding workplace campaign, many members becoming ADVOCATES, talking about the good work of the United Way and their Volunteer time, efforts and in-kind donations are immeasurable!”

David J. Weichhand Award for Creativity and Inspiration

The David J. Weichhand Award for Creativity and Inspiration was inspired by the late David Weichhand, former President & CEO of United Federal Credit Union. His exemplary leadership, enthusiasm, and caring that embodied the very essence of what it means to be a community leader and a true champion for United Way. The award recognizes and honors a company for its creativity and imagination in the employee campaign. 

The company honored was Chemical Bank.

To achieve 91% participation of their 175 eligible employees, Chemical Bank supported many fun campaign events for their staff to participate in. Employees were assigned to one of 32 teams, and 23 of those teams finished with 100% participation.

“Chemical Bank holds an internal competition to win the United Way Cup,” Murphy said. “The team which raises the most money hosting extra fund-raising events earns the right to display the United Way Cup. Eleven teams participated in this year’s challenge and the cup was awarded to the Court Place Administration group in St. Joseph which edged out the nearest competitor by $75.00.”

Hall of Fame Companies

“These companies have had a longstanding relationship with United Way of Southwest Michigan, continually supporting United Way in so many areas beyond the exemplary employee campaigns that they conduct,” said Campaign Cabinet Member Len Amat. “These companies know how to LIVE UNITED. They give. They advocate & they volunteer. These companies provide volunteers who regularly serve in a myriad of capacities, including United Way’s Board of Directors, Resource Deployment Committees, and Week of Caring, to name only a few.  These companies are always willing to lend a hand.”

“And when it comes to employee campaigns, they consistently lead the way with their commitment of time and energy, enthusiasm, and creativity,” he continued. “They truly are the backbone of our United Way. They have helped to shape our organization and continue to be involved. And THIS YEAR, these nine (9) companies together raised over $1.9 Million toward this year’s campaign.” 

American Electric Power – Cook Nuclear Plant

Chase                         

Chemical Bank

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Fifth Third Bank

AEP Indiana Michigan Power Company

Lake Michigan College

Lakeland Regional Health System

Whirlpool Corporation, along with Whirlpool Benton Harbor Division &
The Whirlpool Foundation          

In addition, United Way honored United Federal Credit Union as a new inductee into the Hall of Fame.

“In addition to providing teams of volunteers for United Way’s Day of Caring, United Federal Credit Union employees consistently volunteer their time and wisdom throughout our community wherever and whenever it is needed,” Amat said. “Their campaigns are coordinated with fun in mind, but offering their employees the information and opportunity to connect with and to get involved in their community. Over the past 10 years, this inductee has increased employee giving each year and averaged over 87% campaign participation. This special company reaches beyond our community, but maintains a commitment to SW Michigan.”

Campaign Chair

2008 Campaign Chair Mary Jo Tomasini was also honored for her dedication and hard work while leading the campaign cabinet members.

“Mary Jo assembled an energetic and motivated campaign cabinet. She instilled creativity, fun and a positive spirit into this year’s campaign,” Murphy said. “Your commitment to the community is always seen in your volunteer work and we were lucky to have you lead us through this year.”

Tomasini also passed the campaign chairmanship torch to Gary Easterling, President and CEO of United Federal Credit Union. Easterling is active not only with the United Way of Southwest Michigan but also with Cornerstone Alliance, Harbor Habitat for Humanity and the Cultural Service Academy for Lake Michigan College. 

You can help the United Way by making your pledge today. If you or your company is interested in making a pledge, or if you would like to run an employee campaign at your business, contact Sharon Polfus at 269.925.7772, ext. 17.

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