The United Way of Greater Battle Creek set its biggest
fundraising goal yet — $5.1 million — for 2007, and the
organization's officials say they are "jazzed" about meeting it.
On Thursday, more than 1,000 people from area businesses and
nonprofit groups met downtown at Mill Race Park for the UWGBC's
annual Campaign Kick Off barbecue, where the group's official
campaign goals for 2007 were announced.
Money raised by the UWGBC goes to more than 50 local programs
operated by 34 nonprofit agencies. For the past several years,
the local United Way has seen an upward trend in funding,
bolstered by multi-million-dollar donations from the Kellogg Co.
and large contributions from dozens of area businesses.
In 2006, the UWGBC raised $5 million, up 9 percent from its
goal of $4.6 million. Between 2004 and 2005, fundraising
increased 7 percent, and between 2005 to 2006 it rose by 11
percent.
"We are really excited about this year's campaign," 2007
campaign co-chairman Gene Miyamoto said. "The support we receive
from this community is incredible and allows us to help many
people and accomplish amazing things."
Miyamoto, who serves as chief operating officer of Battle
Creek Health System, is chairing the event with Erick Stewart,
president of Stewart Industries, a Battle Creek-based automotive
sub-assembly and inspection company.
Thursday's lunch, which featured entertainment by the
Lakeview High School drumline, was a small part of the "Day of
Caring" that put more than 1,000 local volunteers from area
businesses to work throughout the city helping local nonprofits
with everything from sorting clothes donations to planting
flowers.
Julie Konant, senior administrative assistant at Semco
Energy, led a small group of co-workers Thursday morning as they
helped beautify Piper Park. Konant has participated in Semco's
volunteer work with the UWGBC for eight years and said she
always looks forward to helping.
"Getting out there really gives you a sense of pride in your
community and helps you see where these dollars are going,"
Konant said. "Plus, you should have seen the park when we
started and how it looked when we were finished. It's a real
sense of accomplishment."
Konant's enthusiastic attitude is what Erick Stewart said
drives the spirit of the United Way's campaign.
"I'm just so jazzed to see the work that was going on out
here today," Stewart said. "And it is inspiring to see the
amount of caring people this city has."
Stephanie Antonian Rutherford can be reached at 966-0665
or
srutherford@battlecr.gannett.com.
Originally published in
the Battle Creek Enquirer, September 7, 2007
reprinted with permission from the Battle Creek Enquirer
To read more from the Battle
Creek Enquirer, click
here.
Kevin
Hare/The Enquirer
Participating in the United
Way´s annual `Day of Caring,"
Greg Tupper and other employees
of Semco Energy help landscape
the playground at Piper Park.
Kevin
Hare/The Enquirer
Sherry Butler paints a utility
shed at the Burnham Brook
Center. Sheryy and other members
of Big Brothers and Big Sisters
participated in the United Way´s
annual "Day of Caring."
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originally published September 7, 2007 in the
Battle Creek Enquirer
