Community Campaign Reaches 60% of Goal
Jill Maitzen, Manager of Fifth Third's Ferrysburg branch, and Craig Bessenger, Ferrysburg City Manager, place the 60% check mark on the campaign thermometer sign on the Fifth Third Bank lawn in Ferrysburg.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Ottawa County, thanks to the community’s generous response to Greater Ottawa County United Way’s 2011-12 community campaign. More than $1.4 million in pledges and donations have been tallied to date, putting the campaign at just over 60 percent of its $2.3-million goal.
Campaign officials note that the campaign is coming in approximately 7 percent ahead of last year, but not quite the 11 percent increase needed to achieve this year’s ambitious goal.
“Our campaign companies and loyal individual donors are right there with us, working hard to help us make this goal that is so important for our community,” said Campaign Chair Scott Remenschneider, Vice President of Huntington Bank. “What we need is for new people who’ve never participated before to step up and join the movement. Right now in Ottawa County, we have about 10,000 people participating—in a county with a population of 250,000. If just 2,000 more people will pledge as little as $1 a week in 2012, we can make this goal and, more importantly, continue the progress we’re making in health, education, and financial stability for everyone in Ottawa County.”
Remenschneider noted that residents who are not able to give through their workplace can give online at www.ottawaunitedway.org or mail a donation to United Way at PO Box 1349, Holland, MI 49422. Pledges can be accepted by phone or mail and billed quarterly in 2012, or donors can fulfill pledges via debit, credit or checking accounts at intervals they choose. Call 616 396-7811 for a pledge form or download one at http://www.ottawaunitedway.org/images/stories/campaign_tools/Pledge%20form.pdf.
In addition, Michigan state income tax filers can “check off” a portion of their state tax refund as a donation to United Way, and it will go to the United Way office associated with their home zip code. In 2011, Greater Ottawa County United Way received more than $5,000 from Michigan tax filers through this simple program.
“A gift to United Way is a sound investment in our community,” said United Way President Patrick Moran. “This year, for every dollar given to Greater Ottawa County United Way, the community is receiving a benefit of $2.36 in direct support to effective, local programs, leveraged grants, and volunteerism,” he explained.
In January, Greater Ottawa County United Way’s annual Community Investment Process will begin. Volunteers from throughout Ottawa County will evaluate all programs requesting United Way support, and new volunteers are welcome. All Community Investment volunteers must attend a training session, with two dates and times available: Monday, January 23 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. or Tuesday, January 24 from 12:-1:30 p.m. Both sessions take place in the Main Conference Room of the Ottawa County Administration Complex, 12220 Fillmore St. in West Olive. For more information about becoming a Community Investment Volunteer, and application materials, visit www.ottawaunitedway.org or call Liz DeLaLuz, Director of Community Impact (616) 396-7811. The deadline for volunteering is January 17.
