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Fifth Third Community President to Lead United Way Campaign
Larry Koops, Fifth Third Bank Community President for the Lakeshore Region, will chair Greater Ottawa County United Way’s Community Campaign, set to kick off in September.
A leadership volunteer with United Way, Koops has also served in leadership roles with the Holland Chamber of Commerce, Holland Christian School Board, Kandu, Inc.’s Capital Campaign, and Good Samaritan Ministries; and he is a former Board Member of United Way in Kalamazoo. His long history of community service combined with his role as a leader in the local business community is precisely what United Way was hoping for in a campaign chair, said United Way President Patrick Moran.
“It’s no secret that we’re facing tough times,” Moran said. “While the needs of our community partner agencies have increased greatly, many of the businesses that have been United Way’s longstanding base of support are struggling. United Way is fortunate to have a leader of Larry Koops’ caliber to help us take on the challenge of raising much-needed funds in a down economy, and that bodes well for the community.”
Koops said he stepped up to serve because of a strong belief in United Way’s impact on people’s lives. “Dollars raised in last year’s campaign are already invested in 63 effective nonprofit health and human service programs all across the county, and more than 78,000 Ottawa County residents have an opportunity for a better life because of those programs,” he said.
“Fifth Third Bank also has a long history of support for the work done by United Way, and we are proud partners in the effort to create the building blocks of a better life in our communities,” added Koops
Moran elaborated on Fifth Third’s community involvement through United Way: “Fifth Third Bank and its employees are among the most generous donors to the campaign, but they don’t stop there. They participate in Day of Caring, Ottawa County’s largest single volunteer action day, and serve in many United Way board, committee, and cabinet positions. Fifth Third also demonstrates its corporate citizenship as a campaign sponsor, which allows more of the dollars raised through the campaign to be invested back into the community,” said Moran.
Koops and his wife Jeanie are Holland residents and the parents of four children. He graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976, and from Western Michigan University with a Master’s of Business Administration degree in 1982. He joined Old Kent Bank in 1983 as a credit analyst, and rose through the management ranks at Old Kent and Fifth Third throughout West Michigan, becoming Community President for the Lakeshore Region in 1998.
For more information, telephone 396-7811 in Holland, 842-7130 in Grand Haven.
Day of Caring Slated for September 17, Projects Needed
Greater Ottawa County United Way has set Thursday September 17 as the date for the annual, county-wide Day of Caring; and Shannon Morton, United Way Director of Volunteerism, is seeking projects in need of volunteers and volunteers eager to complete projects on that day.
United Way’s Day of Caring has been a tradition for nine years in Ottawa County. On this one day, hundreds of volunteers take to the streets to complete projects at agencies, homes, schools, and local landmarks. On Day of Caring 2008, more than 900 volunteers from local businesses, schools, and organizations completed 70 projects across the county.
Said Morton, “No project is too big or too small. Without projects, work can’t be done; and without our incredible volunteers, lives aren’t able to be changed for the better.” Companies and organizations who would like to volunteer a team for Day of Caring are also encouraged to contact Morton soon.
Volunteers are rewarded with a barbeque lunch, donated and served by A.D. Bos Vending Services, Inc., of Holland, at Yogi Bear Camp & Resort on US-31 just south of M45. In addition to A.D. Bos, generous donations from Sara Lee Corporation and Yogi Bear Camp and Resort help to provide this festive community event.
September 17 also marks the official kick-off for Greater Ottawa County United Way’s Annual Community Campaign, which this year has been titled “Campaign 09/10: “The Building Blocks of a Better Life.” For more information on how to give, advocate, or volunteer to advance the common good in Ottawa County, visit www.ottawaunitedway.org.
Dake Corporation Holds Community Garage Sale for Greater Ottawa County United Way
Grand Haven, MI, June 18, 2009 – Dake, a JSJ Business, invites you to participate in a garage sale, Saturday, June 27, 8:00am - noon to benefit Greater Ottawa County United Way. Stop by their first ever community garage sale at Dake Corp., 724 Robbins Rd. in Grand Haven, to shop, donate, or both!
The sale is a great opportunity to clear out unused or unwanted items and be a part of the effort to Live United. If you would like to donate a saleable condition item, contact Elizabeth LeGrand at Dake, 616-847-4876, for details regarding drop off. Items must be received before Thursday, June 25. Don’t miss this opportunity to shop for treasures while giving back to the community.
About Dake Corporation: Dake offers a variety of Presses, including Hydraulic, Arbor, Bench, and tire presses, grinders, hammers, saws, and cast sourcing services. On the net: www.dakecorp.com.
About Greater Ottawa County United Way: United Way strives to improve the quality of life for all Ottawa County residents by identifying pressing community challenges and focusing the community’s collective power and resources to address those needs. On the net: www.ottawaunitedway.org.
Two GHHS Grads Receive Governor's Service Award
Date: May 8, 2009
Two seniors from Grand Haven High School received the State of Michigan Governor’s Service Award at the GHHS Senior Honors Convocation held Thursday, May 7. Regina Robinson and Patrick Werksma were honored for each giving more than 400 hours of service to their community throughout four years of high school.
Shannon Morton, Director of Volunteerism for Greater Ottawa County United Way, presented the awards on behalf of Governor Jennifer Granholm. Morton also presented the Volunteer Centers of Michigan Service Excellence Medallion to each honoree. The students tracked their service hours and qualified for the awards through United Way’s Student Service Learning program.
Robinson is the daughter of Sally Dingman of Spring Lake and Stanley Robinson of Roscommon. She was active throughout high school in Student Senate, volunteered with North Ottawa Recreation Program and at local elementary schools, and launched a coat drive at Grand Haven High School, among other activities. In a reflective essay, she wrote, “As a senior looking back on everything I have done in high school, I am most proud of the time I spent giving back to my community. Volunteering has opened my eyes to many new horizons and made me a better person.” She will graduate with high honors from GHHS later this month and begin pre-medical studies at Grand Valley State University in the fall.
Werksma is the son of Henry and Louann Werksma of Grand Haven. He mentored middle school students in the after-school Community C.H.I.L.L. program at River Haven Clubhouse, helped coach Buccaneer youth football camps, served on the Youth Advisory Committee of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, and found his future career when he volunteered to help cast and direct a video about the Student Service Learning program that was produced by GVSU advanced film and video students. He will graduate with honors from GHHS and begin film and video studies at GVSU in the fall. In his essay, he wrote, “As a student service learner I believe I have helped make a difference, but the differences I made were nothing compared to the impact my service experiences made in me. From helping a child learn to throw a football to teaching another one long division, I have stitched myself into the seams of this community and have grown in admiration of its present state and of its potential.”
The Student Service Learning Program is available to all students at Grand Haven High School, as well as other schools throughout the county, as a means to develop their potential and understand their communities through volunteerism. To learn more, visit www.ottawaunitedway.org and click on “volunteer” on the home page, or call Shannon Morton at (616) 610-1338.
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