For Immediate Release: September 26, 2012

For Further Information: Lisa Luebke, 231-487-1006

Day of Caring - Huge Success

The 9th Annual Day of Caring connected 602 volunteers in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties with 53 service projects with local non-profit community agencies, the elderly community, cities and counties. This event promotes community volunteerism and gives people the opportunity to give back while making a difference and working together. Day of Caring matches teams of volunteers from businesses, schools, faith communities, and community groups with non-profit organizations in need of hands-on help.

Char-Em United Way would like to thank the following teams of volunteers who helped support our recent Day of Caring. Alanson High School Students; AT&T; Bay Winds Federal Credit Union; Bergmann Center Aktion Club; Boyne Falls High School students; Michigan Benefits Access; Char-Em United Way Literacy Corps; Charlevoix Elementary Students; Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station; the entire student body of Charlevoix High School; Charlevoix Public Library; Charlevoix Kiwanis Club, Charlevoix United Methodist Church; Chase Bank; Child and Family Services; Circuit Controls Corporation; CMS Energy; Concord Academy Petoskey; Department of Human Services; Fifth Third Bank; First Community Bank; Harbor Industries; Huntington Bank; Korthase Flinn Insurance & Financial Services; Little Traverse Conservancy; Lowe’s; McLaren Northern Michigan; Petoskey Club; Petoskey High School Botany Class; Petoskey High School FCCLA; Petoskey News Review; Sunrise Rotary of Petoskey; RSVP; and St. Mary’s Cement allowed their staff to assist with projects throughout the day. Without the participation of area agencies, schools, organizations, service clubs, businesses, and individuals Day of Caring would not be a success.

“We are extremely grateful for all the support from area businesses and organizations who allowed their staff to assist with projects throughout the day. Special thanks go out to Harbor Industries and Fletch’s for hosting our Campaign Kickoff breakfasts in Charlevoix and Petoskey” states Lisa Luebke, Char-Em United Way’s Program Coordinator.

Business sponsors of the Day of Caring and the Campaign Kickoff Breakfast include Spartan Stores, Huntington Bank, Great Lakes Energy, EJ, Johan’s, Phone Guide, Circuit Controls Corporation, Sunnybank, and Northwestern Bank. Special thanks go out to Harbor Industries and Fletch’s for hosting our Campaign Kickoff breakfasts in Charlevoix and Petoskey. Big thanks to the Petoskey Madrigals for providing beautiful entertainment.

Project sites ranged from the Bergmann Center to the Raven Wood Nature Preserve with Little Traverse Conservancy and geographically from Harbor Springs to East Jordan. Volunteers cleaned, painted, weeded, cleared brush, installed a metal roof, and much more.

“Day of Caring is a great way for United Way to assist individuals in finding opportunities to volunteer while supplying much needed help to local agencies, and the community as a whole, it really gives us an opportunity to share what it means to LIVE UNITED,” continues Luebke. “We have Volunteer Connections, our virtual volunteer center to assist community members in finding volunteer opportunities with local non-profits in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties year round. Anyone wishing to volunteer can simply check out our website at www.tinyurl.com/volunteerconnections and search for opportunities,” said Luebke.

Linda Sydow, AmeriCorps from Char-Em United Way, volunteered to go to East Jordan to clean for an elderly couple. “I went over to their house and met the sweetest couple. She was a ball of energy and just loved life despite her arthritis. Her husband was a joker, but was legally blind due to glaucoma. During my time there I learned about their amazing lives, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were a lovely, devoted couple”. Sydow continued, “No one should miss opportunities to volunteer like this, Day of Caring really lifted my spirits. It was a wonderful two hours”!

With 602 volunteers donating an average of 3 hours each, the hours provided to non-profit agencies totaled 1,806. The current value of a volunteer’s time is $21.79 per hour, which means that Day of Caring provided $39,353 of person-value to the community on September 19.

For more information, contact United Way at 231-487-1006 or

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