Campaign "Checks" 80%, Dine Out for Good Partners Announced

Despite the chilly winter weather, citizens in Ottawa County have responded warmly to their neighbors in need through Greater Ottawa County United Way’s annual community campaign.

United Way tallied $1,567,788  in pledges and donations by the first week of February, which put the campaign at 87 percent of its $1.8 million goal—and this week campaign volunteers are putting the red checkmarks in the 80 percent boxes on the campaign thermometer signs located throughout the county.

Campaign officials will not rest, however, until they have reached this year’s goal.

“With just about a month left, we’re hoping that our neighbors will continue this trend of generosity and help us go the distance,” said Larry Koops, campaign chair. Nearly 9,000 county residents have already pledged or donated through 221 workplace campaigns or as individual investors. Koops noted that, while workplace campaign giving is down from last year, it is not down as much as was projected, and gifts from individuals are up about 10 percent from last year.

“Once again, the people of Ottawa County have demonstrated their compassion for community and their determination to make a difference. While the number of people who have donated to date is down, the average dollar amount donated is up,” said Koops, a Holland resident and Community President of Fifth Third Bank for the Lakeshore region of West Michigan.

Local restaurants pitch in to help

Local restaurant owners are also doing their part to cook up a successful conclusion to the campaign. For the second year in a row, “Dine Out for Good – LIVE UNITED” provides a way for restaurant goers to enjoy lunch or dinner out while 10 percent of their tab goes right back to helping others. Participating restaurants include City Vu Bistro atop City Flats Hotel on 7th St. in Holland (dinner from 4:30-9:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday March 1 and 2); Anthony’s Kicked Up Catering & Deli, 211 N.  7th in Grand Haven from Monday March 1- Saturday March 6 (open10-3 Monday-Thursday, till 8 on Friday and Saturday); The Curragh Irish Pub on 8th St. in Holland, Thursday March 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 a.m..; Old Boy’s Brewhouse in Spring Lake on Monday March 8 from 3-10 p.m.;  Crazy Horse Steak House. Lakewood at North Park Drive in Holland, on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 9 and 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Culver’s of Grand Haven on Wednesday, March 10, 5-8 p.m. New restaurant partners are still signing up; visit Greater Ottawa County United Way on Facebook or United Way online at www.ottawaunitedway.org to see what other restaurants have partnered with United Way to help you dine out for good—LIVE UNITED.

“At times like these, with so much need in the community, every gift of any amount makes a difference,” said United Way President Patrick Moran. “We are grateful to these and other area businesses who are partnering with us to advance the common good in Ottawa County, and we’d love to partner with many more businesses in similar ways. Give us a call.”     

To learn more or give online, visit  www.ottawaunitedway.org. Donations may also be mailed to Greater Ottawa County United Way, PO Box 1349, Holland, MI  49422. Final campaign results will be announced at United Way’s Annual Celebration Dinner on Thursday, March 25 at Grand Haven Golf Club. 

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