United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region

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Although sharing a heartfelt thank you doesn’t usually require much time or effort, it’s true that many of us fail to say these two simple – yet powerful – words often enough.

Since United Way was founded more than 125 years ago, individuals, companies, foundations and organizations have been coming together on an ongoing basis around common causes, a shared vision and a path to positively impact lives.

On September 30, VML held a company-wide day of service called Foundation Day. Local VML employees spent their Day of Caring with community organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, and the Community Healing Center. Volunteer projects can be difficult to execute, but with a group of more than 100 creative problem-solvers with good senses of humor, Kalamazoo VML employees proved that no challenge was too big.

Not every clash of community rivals takes place on the athletic field. For Vicksburg and Gull Lake, a friendly challenge put up by two United Way community teams will benefit local students.

The two teams, which coordinate United Way campaign activities in their respective communities, are vying to direct an extra $1,000 in support to a local educational program, depending on which community wins. A scoring system based on dollars raised, new business donors and new individual donors will determine the winner.

A couple weeks ago, the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region kicked off the annual campaign with a week long virtual kickoff. To finish off the action-packed week, UWBCKR Staff and a few Board Members gathered together, rolled up their sleeves, and actively engaged in helping to change the story in our region.

Don’t be surprised if you see United Way everywhere you turn in September—on billboards, online, in newspapers, on the air.

During the week of Sept. 14, United Ways across Michigan, including the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, will join forces to tell their stories on a statewide canvas. Billed as a “shared virtual kickoff,” these United Ways are coordinating their promotions to highlight local impact and partnerships that change lives.