MIDLAND -- From the Midland County United Way:
As we cross the finish line of the 2008 United Way of Midland County campaign, we are overjoyed to announce that pledges totaling $4,983,984 have been reported. This represents 104% of our overall campaign goal of $4.8 million. “At the beginning of this campaign we invited everyone in our community to Live United. The key to that message is as simple as it is powerful--we can achieve so much more working together than any one of us can working alone,” said David Dupre, 2008 Campaign Chair. “I am so proud to be a part of a community that, even during tough times, reaches out to meet the needs of its community.”
There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community to achieve this incredible success. Each division was led by community volunteers who dedicated countless hours to spreading the Live United message. “We are grateful to our volunteers for their commitment to the community campaign this year,” said Ann Fillmore, Executive Director of United Way of Midland County. “Their passion and enthusiasm translates into real results for those in need.”
United Way hosted a Toast to Community Volunteers on Thursday, November 6th at the Midland Community Center to celebrate the community’s campaign success and thank the volunteers for all of their hard work. The audience was treated to first-hand accounts of how individual people have been touched by our communities support. “The lives that are impacted are real people—people we work with, pass in the aisle at the grocery store and sit next to at the movie theater,” shared Ann Fillmore.
United Way works to advance the common good. We focus their efforts in three impact areas: Education, Self-Sufficiency and Health. These are the building blocks of a good life: equipping people with the tools to reach their full potential, empowering them to live independently, and promoting health and healing.
The goal of United Way is to create long-lasting change and prevent problems from happening in the first place. Through our 25 partner agencies and community programs, including United Way Volunteer Center, First Call for Help Call Center and Success by Six, United Way seeks to create opportunities for a better life for everyone.
“The funds raised in our community stay in our community and are invested wisely,” said Ann Fillmore. “United Way of Midland County utilizes the Community Impact process to invest those donations.” Currently, a group of over 150 community volunteers are reviewing agency programs and projections, and assess the performance and impact they are having. This same group of panelists will make funding recommendations for each partner agency for the upcoming year.
“Exceeding the 2008 United Way campaign goal is an incredible achievement for our community and a demonstration of our commitment to reaching out to our friends and neighbors, to solve the challenges we face,” said David Dupre. “Midland County has truly demonstrated that it Lives United.”
To learn more about how you can get involved in helping your community, call United Way at 631-3670, or visit their new website at www.unitedwaymidland.org. Working together, we create hope for a brighter future for Midland County.
