United Way Checks 40% in Campaign
Greater Ottawa County United Way officials are thankful for a generous community this Thanksgiving, as workplace campaigns and individual donations received so far have pushed the community campaign past the 40 percent mark. As of Tuesday, more than $1 million in gifts and pledges had been tallied toward a goal of $2.3 million.
Campaign Chair Scott Remenschneider, Vice President of Huntington Bank, said that United Way staff and campaign volunteers are out in force to try to raise 11 percent more than was raised last year. They are
“leaving no stone unturned” as they strive to meet what is anticipated to be an increased need among the 59 community partner programs supported by the campaign. So far, he noted, companies and individuals have responded generously and enthusiastically.
“Our Top Three campaigns—Shape, Haworth, and JSJ Corp. (which includes its three business units Dake, GHSP, and izzy+)-- have all posted increases over last year,” Remenschneider said. He added that JSJ Corp. had posted the largest increase of the top three, at 19 percent.
United Way President Patrick Moran said that many other workplace campaigns already completed have increased over last year, with the average increase being approximately 7 percent, but with some showing much greater gains.
“We want to give a big shout out to Saturn Electronics in Coopersville, which posted a 417 percent increase,” Moran said. Other Ottawa County campaigns following the upward trend are City of Grand Haven, Consumers Energy, Fifth Third Bank, Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Grand Haven Board of
Light and Power/UWUA Local 582, Gage Motor Mall, Huntington Bank, ITW Drawform, Louis Padnos Iron & Metal, Inc., ODL, Inc., Macatawa Bank, Mercantile Bank, and the employees of all four Meijer stores in Ottawa County.
“This isn’t just good news for the campaign; it also signals a stronger employment picture in Ottawa County, and that’s good news for our community all around,” said Moran.
“Despite the good news for many, those who are not employed continue to struggle,” Moran added. As an example, he reported that United Way partner agencies have been busy providing increased
numbers of Thanksgiving food baskets and other support to needy Ottawa County families this week, and many partner programs are facing reductions in state and federal funds.
“We continue to be very, very gratified by the community’s generosity. West Michigan has proven itself
year after year as a giving community that cares deeply about those in need,” Moran said.
Residents who are not able to participate in the campaign through their employment may give online at www.ottawaunitedway.org, or mail a donation to Greater Ottawa County United Way, PO Box 1349, Holland, MI 49422. For the ninth year in a row, new and increased leadership level gifts ($500 or more from one household) from Tri-Cities residents will be matched by an anonymous local donor up to a total of $30,000. This leadership challenge has been successfully met every year, and campaign officials are hoping it will be met again. Anyone with questions may call Patrick Moran, President, at 616-396-7811 in Holland or 842-7130 in Grand Haven.
