United Way has been highly visible this week—and not only in our community!

A whole host of local United Ways across Michigan, including United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, joined forces again this year to share local successes and invite people throughout Michigan to get involved and to support their local communities. We’re telling our story on billboards, online, through news outlets and more.

“The goal is to partner to reach a larger audience, raise awareness in communities throughout Michigan, and invite everyone to get involved in creating measurable and sustainable change locally,” said Christopher Riker, Director of Marketing & Communication.

The idea of collaborating to expand our reach and increase our awareness through a unified kick off began three years ago with four local United Ways: United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Capital Area United Way, United Way of Jackson County and United Way of Southwest Michigan. The Michigan Association of United Ways continues to play an important supporting role.

In addition to some shared advertising and online promotion, participating United Ways are collaborating on a common landing page, letsliveunited.org, providing a single online resource to help people connect to their local United Way.

The unified kickoff doesn’t replace local outreach, nor does it add any costs. It simply offers the chance to coordinate and share United Way’s message of impact and partnership on a larger scale.

So wherever you go in Michigan this week, watch for signs of the shared kickoff. It’s a powerful example of United Way’s greatest strength: the spirit of collaboration that drives real, meaningful change in our communities.

You may also get directly involved:

·      Go to www.changethestory.org to donate a tweet or facebook post.

·      Become a reading buddy, participate in a Day of Caring Project, get involved inAspiring Leaders United, and so much more… Simply send an email tobnyhoff@uwbckr.org.

·      To make a financial contribution online, please click here or call our offices directly – Battle Creek:  (269)962-9538 | Kalamazoo:  (269)343-2524.