Campaign Surpasses 60% Mark
Greater Ottawa County United Way began the New Year on a positive note—by checking off the 60 percent mark on campaign thermometer signs around the county—thanks to local companies and individuals who have given generously to the 2009-10 community campaign.
More than $1.2 million in pledges and donations had been tallied as of December 31, putting the campaign at 67 percent of its $1.8 million goal.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to our community for their generous response to this year’s campaign,” said Larry Koops, 5/3 Bank’s Community President for the Lakeshore and 2009-10 Campaign Chair. “It is heartwarming to see how many of our neighbors have chosen to invest in our community through United Way.”
This year, the campaign received a holiday boost as well from two “beyond the workplace” initiatives that launched at opposite ends of the county. In the North, more than 20 downtown Grand Haven merchants held a special “Christmas Tree Walk” and shoppers voted with their dollars and cents throughout December for their favorite decorated Christmas tree, with all “votes” collected for United Way.
Farther south, in Zeeland, “Feel the Zeel of Giving Back” resulted in 13 downtown Zeeland merchants donating more than $1,200.00, which represented a percentage of sales during extended shopping hours and special events held over five nights in December. Through its web-based “Volunteer Solutions,” Greater Ottawa County United Way recruited dozens of volunteers who served as strolling elves, horsedrawn trolley helpers, and gift wrappers on all five nights. Abby DeRoo, Marketing Director for Zeeland’s Main Street Shopping District, said the merchants who participated were pleased with the “giving partnership” created between retailers and United Way.
“This year’s partnership with Greater Ottawa County United Way was even more fun than any of us anticipated! It was a great experience to bring United Way’s “Live United” concept to Zeeland’s Main Street. Not only were we able to raise a modest donation for the community, but all of our activities were absolutely free – thanks to our sponsoring businesses – and offered a festive experience that local families may otherwise not have been able to enjoy. We were certainly “Feeling the Zeel of Giving!”
Patrick Moran, United Way President, predicts that the final months of the campaign will be “an uphill climb.”
“The majority of our 220 workplace campaigns have wrapped up, with only a few more to be launched in January,” he said. “Our experience is that the last third of the climb is the most arduous, and it’s a time when we especially rely on the generosity of companies and individuals outside of the workplaces where campaigns have run.”
Moran added that, in the Tri-Cities, new givers of at least $500 can double their gift as a result of a leadership challenge by an anonymous donor. For the seventh year, this $30,000 challenge grant matches, dollar for dollar, every new or increased leadership gift from Tri-Cities residents. Last year the challenge helped to raise new or increased leadership gifts of more than $49,000.
“And every gift is so important now, when our nonprofit community partners are experiencing greatly increased demand for the programs that United Way dollars support,” Moran said.
Residents who are not able to give through their employment can give online at www.ottawaunitedway.org or mail a donation to United Way at PO Box 1349, Holland, MI 49422.
United Way staff and campaign volunteers will continue their diligent work until March 25, when all the “give, advocate and volunteer” successes of the past year will be celebrated at the annual Live United Celebration Dinner, to be held at Grand Haven Golf Club. For more information on how to Live United through the work of the Greater Ottawa County United Way, or to make a donation online, visit www.ottawaunitedway.org.
At right, Sandy and Paul Huber of Grand Haven volunteer as elves for “Feel the Zeel of Giving Back” in downtown Zeeland, an event that benefited Greater Ottawa County United Way.
