United Way of Southwest Michigan gathered with around 500 guests from the community at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College on Thursday, March 14 for this year’s annual Celebration, reflecting on another successful campaign.

United Way of Southwest Michigan is proud to have been chosen as one of this year’s “20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest” by Moody on the Market.

 In partnership with Berrien County Great Start Collaborative and Cass County Great Start Collaborative, United Way of Southwest Michigan seeks to collect 5,000 new and gently used books from March 1-21 for area children and young adults. 

“That was pretty wild!” Taylor said when the car started. “Believe it or not, I’ve never won anything in my life,” he exclaimed to the crowd at the dealership.

In a way, Whirlpool's John Taylor says he scored a jackpot when Maytag was acquired a dozen years ago by Whirlpool bringing him and his family here from Iowa. Tonight, for the first time in his life he scored another jackpot of sorts when he won United Way of Southwest Michigan's Win-A-Car Challenge from Tyler Automotive in Stevensville.

Seven lucky finalists are set to compete in the United Way of Southwest Michigan Car Challenge with Tyler Automotive on Tuesday, February 19.

200 literacy kits for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade will be distributed in three schools in South Haven, Benton Harbor and Niles.

As the longest government shutdown in history stretches on, United Way of Southwest Michigan (UWSM) has formulated a plan to help local residents impacted. UWSM has launched the Emergency Relief Fund to assist federal employees in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties who may be impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. The fund is addressing vital needs, such as food, utility assistance, rent, mortgage payments and other basic needs.