United Way of Southwest Michigan harnesses volunteer power on MLK Day
MEDIA RELEASE
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
1.17.19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Julee Laurent / julee.laurent@uwsm.org / 269.932.3566
United Way of Southwest Michigan harnesses volunteer power on MLK Day
United Way of Southwest Michigan is partnering with local service groups and organizations in honor of MLK Day of Service on January 21. Thanks to a grant from The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Berrien and Cass County volunteers will join thousands of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, schools and businesses nationwide putting service into action.
MLK Day projects currently include a food drive for area pantries and soup kitchens hosted by Upton Middle School’s Interact Club, St. Joseph High School and Lakeshore High School’s Key Clubs and Niles High School's SADD club. The students at the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor Joel E. Smilow Teen Center will set out in their neighborhood shoveling snow and salting walks for area seniors. The staff at the Department of Health and Human Services Berrien County (DHHS) will be packing 100 literacy kits to be given to the children they serve and the UWSM staff will be collecting new socks and underwear for kids in foster care.
“Today we answer Dr. King’s call to serve and are making a difference in the lives of Berrien and Cass County residents,” said Anna Murphy, president of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “Volunteer service is not only a great resource, it’s a powerful tool that builds strong communities while allowing us to meet local needs. We are putting the core American principles of citizenship and service into action.”
Do you want to get involved? Please let us know what project you are planning or if you need volunteers for your organization on MLK Day by reaching out to Julee Laurent at 269.932.3566 or julee.laurent@uwsm.org.
ABOUT MLK DAY OF SERVICE
The MLK Day of Service is led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer efforts. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.
ABOUT UNITED WAY
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person throughout our community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.
ABOUT CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE (CNCS)
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that leads the annual MLK Day of Service, working with the King Center in Atlanta and thousands of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses nationwide
These projects include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, reading to children, promoting nonviolence, and more. The MLK Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides – today and throughout the year. Many communities will also engage in dialogue to explore ways they can address important issues. National Days of Service provide each of us with an opportunity to join neighbors and local leaders to tackle community challenges and strengthen the nation.
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