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VOLUNTEER SUCCESS STORIES
“A good way to have a good day.”
United Way of Southwest Michigan is honored to feature the Stokes Family as an outstanding example of volunteer service and dedication during National Volunteer Week: April 17-23, 2022.
THE STOKES FAMILY is as much of a fixture at Cass County’s annual School Supply Spectacular as the backpacks that are given away. Each August, you can count on Dowagiac resident Keaka Stokes, 40, and her four children—Jason, 21; Jacob, 19; Joshua, 17; and Kayden, 15—to put in days of hard work in the hot sun making sure as many as a thousand kids in need, from kindergarten through 12th grade, get a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to start the academic year. READ MORE…
Earned Income Tax Credit turns financial tightrope into path to success
The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the most effective anti-poverty, pro-work, pro-business investments we can make as a community. It is a critical proven way to help workers with low to moderate income keep more of their hard-earned wages while boosting local economies.
CRUNCHING NUMBERS and pouring over paperwork—tax returns, no less!—may not sound exciting, but the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is one of the most important services United Way provides to the community because of its tremendous financial impact that lifts up not only the families helped, but our whole local economy. READ MORE…
2022 Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award Winner: Kathy Rossow
2022 Judge Susan L. Dobrich Volunteer Leadership Award for Cass County Winner: Chris Bergen
2022 Volunteer United Service Impact Award Winner: Keith Stevens
2022 Volunteer United Business Partner Impact Award Winner: Honor Credit Union
In March 2020, Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency redid the way they distributed food. They were in need of volunteers and called United Way of Southwest Michigan. United Way provided them with a core group of 30 volunteers to work the drive-through food giveaway. Watch a lead anchor of UWSM TV Corbin learns about how agencies can use United Way to recruit volunteers.
Summer Stock Up is a United Way of Southwest Michigan initiative to stock local food pantries during the summer months. Now in its 4th year, Summer Stock Up couldn't be successful without the support from all the volunteers needed to sort, pack and deliver food to local pantries across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.
American Electric Power, D.C. Cook Plant employees have been part of Summer Stock up since the beginning. UWSM TV takes a look into why AEP gives back to this program in such a big way. United Way of Southwest Michigan is a key component in helping organizations such as AEP, D.C. Cook plant get involved in their local communities through volunteerism.
AmberDeep Aurora takes time to share his experience as a volunteer for Whirlpool's United Way Pledge Campaign. Amber shares advice on how to be a great volunteer and give the most value and impact back into your community.
Corbin has volunteered with United Way since he was little. He enjoys the excitement kids get when you hand them a brand new backpack full of supplies. School Supply Spectacular is a United Way-led backpack giveaway program for Cass County Students. UWSM TV reporter Corbin interviews...Corbin about his volunteer experience at School Supply.
