News
Latest
Nominations Sought for Volunteer Stars
Shannon Morton, Director of Volunteerism for Greater Ottawa County United Way, invites all Ottawa County residents to nominate individuals for Volunteer Star recognition in April. Anyone who goes above and beyond to give of his or her time and skill to an organization or an individual is eligible for nomination as a Volunteer Star, and anyone may make a nomination.
A Volunteer Star could be someone who volunteers in a nonprofit organization or human service agency, a school, hospital or nursing home, but a star could also be someone who quietly helps another, said Morton. “The person who shovels snow for an elderly neighbor or someone who drives another to medical appointments is just as eligible to receive a volunteer star as is someone who volunteers for an established organization,” she said.
Nomination forms are available at www.ottawaunitedway.org (on the home page click on “Volunteer” then click “Volunteer Recognition”) and at United Way offices in Holland (115 Clover Street, Suite 300) and Grand Haven (700 Fulton St.) as well as at public libraries and other community locations. Those without Internet access or the ability to pick up a form may call (616) 842-7130 in Grand Haven or (616) 396-7811 in Holland to request a form via mail or fax. Completed nomination forms are due by Monday, March 22.
Volunteer Stars will be recognized during National Volunteer Recognition Week, April 18-24, through local media and activities planned throughout Ottawa County. For more information, including how to locate or post volunteer opportunities on United Way’s “Volunteer Solutions” website, call Shannon Morton, (616) 396-7811 in Holland or 842-7130 in Grand Haven.
Restaurants Cook Up Contributions for Community
Greater Ottawa County United Way invites the community to “Dine Out for Good – LIVE UNITED” in March, when seven area restaurants will donate 10 percent of sales on selected days to United Way’s community campaign. The campaign supports more than 60 nonprofit health and human service programs in Ottawa County.
“What a great opportunity to enjoy a favorite restaurant or try a new one, knowing that you’re helping someone in your local community,” said Paul Thurman, United Way board member and chair of United Way’s Beyond the Workplace Division, which launched Dine Out for Good last year as way to reach out and invite more residents to support the community campaign.
Participating restaurants and their Dine Out for Good dates and times are:
CityVu Bistro atop City Flats Hotel, 61 E. 7th St. in Holland, on Monday and Tuesday March 1 and 2 from 4:00-9:30 p.m.
Anthony’s Kicked Up Catering & Deli, 211 N. 7th in Grand Haven, Monday to Saturday March 1-6. Anthony’s is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Curragh Irish Pub on 8th St. in Holland on Thursday March 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Old Boy’s Brewhouse, 971 W. Savidge in Spring Lake on Monday March 8 from 3 to 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.
Culver’s of Grand Haven, US 31 @ Jackson on Wednesday, March 10, from 5-8 p.m.
Morning Star Café, 711 Washington in Grand Haven, Tuesday March 2 and Tuesday March 9, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“We hope Ottawa County residents will come out in droves on these dates,” said United Way President Patrick Moran. “It’s a great way to banish the winter blues, have a great meal, and at the same time help to advance the common good in our community,” he said.
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.
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.
Tax Check Off - How You Can Help - United Way Fund
When filing your 2009 state taxes you will notice a new line item on the Michigan state tax income form 4642, which allows tax payers to donate all or part of their 2009 Michigan tax refund to the United Way Fund. The United Way Fund has been created to help assist low to moderate income families in Michigan with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.
In Michigan's current economy, the need for assistance has never been higher. Greater Ottawa County United Way appreciates your support and encourages you to take advantage of this simple, quick way to donate resources that will ease the burden so many Michigan families are currently facing.
All donations made to the United Way Fund will be used to help support local families. Donations made by taxpayers in Ottawa County area will benefit the needy families in this area.
The United Way Fund is an easy way to Live United and to make a difference in your community. Please remember to "check off" for the United Way Fund. For more information on the United Way Fund or to find opportunities to give, advocate or volunteer in our community, please call us at 616-396-7811 or check us out at www.ottawaunitedway.org.
2010 Community Investment Volunteers-click here for more info
Click Here for infomation on becoming a Community Investment Volunteers for 2010.
More Articles...
Page 1 of 9
