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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 7^th 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.  7^th 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 8^th 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. 

United Way Worldwide Haiti Recovery Efforts

United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund

Donate to recovery efforts in Haiti 

On the evening of January 12, 2010 a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti.  It is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years.  The tremor struck 15km (10miles) south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.0 magnitude.  Reports describe the destruction to affect as much as 70 percent of the buildings, with debris filling the roads making emergency response difficult.  The Prime minister reported on January 13 that hundreds of thousands of lives may have been lost.

Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by disaster and to address educations, financial and health-related challenges.

United Way Woldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response.

• Checks can be sent to the address below with the "Fund" referenced in either memo line or an enclosed correspondence:

                     United Way Worldwide

                     P.O. Box 630568

                     Baltimore, MD  21263-0568

• Text HAITI to 864833 (UNITED) or click here to donate on line