News Archive

January 28, 2008
Volunteers Needed to Help Make Funding Decisions

Traverse City, MI —The power of your gift is magnified through United Way of Northwest Michigan's grant making process. More than 30 community citizens are needed to serve on United Way's Citizen Action Team (CAT).

Citizen Action Team volunteers receive training and orientation to review local nonprofit grant proposals, interview applicants and weigh overall community needs.

Only a commitment of time and eagerness to help is needed to make an enormous impact in your community. Please call United Way of Northwest Michigan today for more information 231-947-3200 x 10 or email michelleg@unitedway.tcnet.org.

United Way of Northwest Michigan’s mission is to efficiently raise and effectively distribute financial and volunteer resources to support community-determined initiatives that improve the lives of community members.

New Release

November, 2007

"Helping Hands Warm Hearts"

Traverse City, MI - United Way of Northwest Michigan is holding a one-of-a-kind art auction to benefit area youth and low-income seniors in our area. The auction will be held on November 14th at the Dennos Museum from 6 until 8 pm and will showcase 13 hand painted chairs designed and painted by area school students, and 200 handmade afghans that were made by our volunteer "Afghan Angels"

Call 947-3200 x 20 or x 10 for ticket information.

September, 2007

“Drive and Drop” to Kick-off 2007Annual Campaign

Traverse City, MI—To kick off the Annual Campaign, United Way of Northwest Michigan and event sponsors; Meijer, Xtreme Clean Touchless Car Wash and Traverse City Burger King will hold a two day “Drive and Drop” Donation Drive to collect canned goods and personal care items to help critically low inventories at are food pantries.

“Drive and Drop” makes it easy and convenient to make a donation to help kids and families in our community. People can just drive up to the donation area in the parking lot by our store and give to the drive without leaving their car, said John Spalding, Meijer Store Director.”

More than half of the recipients are children and the at an all-time high. Items in most need: diapers, soap, toothpaste, brushes, feminine products, laundry supplies, canned meats, soup, canned fruit and canned vegetables. Financial contributions will be accepted and will support the United Way Community Fund.

Donations will be accepted Friday and Saturday, 7:30 AM-6:30 PM in the ExtremeClean parking lot adjacent to the Meijer parking lot. Donors will receive Xtreme Clean Touchless Car Wash and Traverse City Burger King discount coupons for contributions to the drive.

The donation drive will mark the official kick off to the 2007 annual campaign. United Way of Northwest Michigan’s is to efficiently raise and effectively distribute financial and volunteer resources to support community-determined initiatives that improve the lives of our community members. Please call Michelle Krumm at 947-9656 for additional information.

May 21, 2007
United Way of Northwest Michigan Online Auction —
Something for Every Age

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH, May 21, 2007 – Like our volunteer opportunities our online auction has something for every age— just to name a few: Bob Dylan tickets which include dinner and VIP parking pass keyboards, karoke machine, games, clothes, drill sets and much more. It’s easy to get started, go to: startherestaynear.com and click on auction. Bidding will begin on Monday, May 28 and will continue through June 30th.

While you’re visiting our site browse the hundreds of volunteer opportunities. The United Way of Northwest Michigan’s Volunteer Center is a clearinghouse to recruit, qualify and connect volunteers with service opportunities and needs in Northwest Michigan. We have recruited more than 1,500 volunteers and connected them with nearly 200 organizations and agencies in our region this year alone. Our data indicates that collective volunteer hours of service in 2006 approached 50,000 hours. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), volunteer opportunities for 55 years of age and older, has been sponsored by the United Way for over 30 years. Youth and family volunteer opportunities and corporate volunteer opportunities are also coordinated by the Volunteer Center.

For more information, call United Way of Northwest Michigan at 922-7338 or visit the new web site at StartHereStayNear.com

May 16, 2007

A “Day of Good Deeds” to Kick-off “Start Here” Campaign

Traverse City, MI—United Way of Northwest Michigan will kick off the “Start Here” campaign on Saturday May 19, 2007. To kick off the campaign Target store employees will assemble to do a “Day of Good Deeds” beach clean up at Clinch Park. The Target employee team can be recognized by red T-shirts that say “Starts With Me” and will pass out “Pay It Forward” cards to encourage others to share in the spirit of giving.

The “Start Here” campaign is a bold awareness drive, to help people to start turning their good intention into action. “Days of Good Deeds” are scheduled throughout the summer in Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Antrim and Leelanau County. To learn more about the “Day of Good Deeds” or to sign up your team visit our website: StartHereStayNear.com or call 922-7338.

The United Way of Northwest Michigan Volunteer Center is a clearinghouse that recruits, qualifies and connects youth, family and senior volunteers with service opportunities and needs in Northwest Michigan. We have recruited more than 1,500 volunteers and connected them with nearly 200 organizations and agencies in our region this year alone. Our data indicates that collective volunteer hours of service in 2006 approached 50,000 hours. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), volunteer opportunities for 55 years of age and older, has been sponsored by the United Way for over 30 years.

March 7, 2007
Mari Hagen is the Youth and Families Coordinator

Traverse City, MI—Mari Hagen has recently joined the United Way of Northwest Michigan in a new position as the Youth and Families Coordinator for the Volunteer Center. She will be working to help area youth and families in Northwest Michigan connect with local nonprofits to create meaningful volunteer experiences. Mari arrives with experience directing a town Youth Commission, connecting kids and community through enriching experiences and activities.

The mission of the Volunteer Center is to create healthier communities by increasing the quantity and quality of volunteers. We serve all nonprofits and all residents; we do not limit our service to a particular issue, group of people, or type of activity. Our Volunteer Center functions as a clearinghouse that “collects, connects and celebrates” our community volunteers.

The Volunteer Center premiere senior program is our Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). This program serves seniors 55 and older. In an average year, RSVP volunteers donate 50,000 hours to their communities in Northwest Michigan through our volunteer center. The Volunteer Center has recruited more than 1,500 volunteers, of all ages, connecting them with nearly 200 agencies in our region.
A new Community Hub database is up and running to enable non-profits to post volunteer opportunities, free of charge and volunteers to sign up on-line. For more information visit www.unitedway.tcnet.org or call 947-3200 and ask for Mari Hagen, Volunteer Coordinator for Youth and Families, Emily Huntoon, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Coordinator or Susan McQuaid, Volunteer Center Director.