Health
#GivingTuesday Opens Doors To Get Involved
Turning good intentions into action is the driving force behind Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to encouraging people to support and engage with nonprofit programs. Giving Tuesday was launched in 2012 by dozens of participating nonprofits, including United Way. Held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it’s an alternative to holiday shopping days Black Friday and…
Read MoreHow Partnership Changes The Story
Shared aspirations and partnering for community impact were the key takeaways at “Changing The Story With United Way,” a forum hosted by Stryker Corporation on Sept. 1. Ninety people from business, education, government, nonprofits and other organizations turned out for the gathering, which was held at Stryker’s corporate headquarters in Portage. “The forum was…
Read MoreComing Together Around A Common Cause: IMPACT
Don’t be surprised if you see United Way everywhere you turn in September—on billboards, online, in newspapers, on the air. During the week of Sept. 14, United Ways across Michigan, including the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, will join forces to tell their stories on a statewide canvas. Billed as…
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving!
Maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices. —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love I’m a fan of Gilbert’s advice. In our hustling, bustling, plugged-in world, it’s easy to let the power and…
Read MoreHunger Awareness: Ending the "Rumblies"
In the classic cartoon, “Winnie The Pooh and The Honey Tree,” Pooh Bear sings of his love for honey to satisfy his hunger, what he calls a “rumbly in my tumbly.” But for more than 58,000 people in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region, hunger isn’t a happy song; it’s a daily question mark. That’s…
Read MoreUnited Way Invests Millions in Local, Regional Programs
From early grade reading to support services for seniors, 106 programs operated by nonprofit agencies across the region are welcoming support totaling more than $7.6 million from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR). “Because of our incredibly generous supporters, United Way is able to fund programs that are changing lives in…
Read More‘John’s’ Story: Why Mental Health Matters
“John” appeared to have it all—great job, nice house, loving family. But his personal and professional life brought enormous pressures, and a difficult childhood left emotional scars that hadn’t healed. “Constant fear and depression ruled my life,” John said. “I hid it pretty well, but it kept eating away at me. Finally, there came a…
Read MoreA Little Exercise Goes a Long Way
February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness of the number-one cause of death in the United States. United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is doing its part by spotlighting a few things you can do to live a heart-healthy life. Last time, we offered a few tips for better…
Read MoreWhy Heart Health Matters
Are you reading this over a cuppa at the local java house? If so, look around and pick out three people sitting near you. Now consider this: One of you is going to die of heart disease. February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness of the number-one cause of death in the…
Read MoreWellness Wednesday: Local Produce Makes a Difference for Low Income Families
I love a trip to the Farmers Market. I love fruit, I love veggies and I love an excuse to walk around and enjoy the summer. And of course, it certainly feels great to support our locally grown products. Now, the Battle Creek Enquirer has given me yet another reason to love Farmers Markets: increased…
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