The United Way Volunteer Center is continually reaching into the community to promote volunteerism in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. One method of doing this has been our Recognition Spotlight that honors a special individual or group that has been spreading goodwill in the community. We also honor area businesses that promote community engagement within their workplace through our Business Neighbor award.
We would like to invite you to participate in our Recognition Spotlight. By nominating those that serve their community, you can show appreciation for the hard work they contribute to making our community a better place to be. Each month a Volunteer of the Month is recognized by a surprise “Rally of Recognition” where the special individual receives a gift certificate for lunch for two at a local eatery, a balloon bouquet, a United Way t-shirt and a certificate denoting their award. Volunteer Groups of the Month are treated to a “Recognition Reception” where they are treated to refreshments. Time is also spent reflecting as a group on the impact made through their efforts. The Business Neighbor of the month is presented a framed certificate to hang in their place of business. All of these honorees are highlighted in the local media.
Please join us as we honor those that go the extra mile and make our community a better place to be.Simply submit the Nomination Form (.doc) to the United Way office. Nominations are reviewed monthly at regular Advisory Committee meetings.
Thanks to Cup of the Day for supplying the gift certificates for our winners!
Winners in July
Individual - Gloria Crippin
Gloria originally started a group for individuals living with or having survived cancer; not forgetting to include his/her family and friends. Gloria was a victim of breast cancer. She was inspired to start the group because she discovered a void in support when her personal need for support could not be met in her own community. Gloria has dedicated many hours of her time, many days of driving others in need to chemo appts and hospital visits (using her own money when money is personally hard to come by). She has offered a shoulder to cry on and held the hands of terminally ill people as they passed away; some having no friends and family of their own. She has held fundraisers; collected wigs for people who have lost their hair and helped a dying woman get across the U.S. to be with her family when she passed away. She has become the backbone of what is now known as the Luce Co. Cancer Support Group. This group has become an extended family, spending time at the holidays in Gloria's home, sharing in joys and sorrow. Without Gloria this would not be possible.
Group -
Business Neighbor - Dr. Ganzhorn
During 2009, Dr. Ganzhorn donated over 60 office visits and procedures resulting in more than $43,500.00 in specialty care to the uninsured clients enrolled with the Community Health Access Coalition (CHAC). Dr. Ganzhorn and the staff at International Orthopedic & Sports Medicine are always very helpful and willing to work to find the best course of action for each patient. Without community partners willing to donate their time and talents organizations, like CHAC, would not be able to continue to provide quality care to the uninsured residents of Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinaw residents. Thank you for all that you do!
Winners in June
Individual -
Group - Road to Recovery
Road to Recovery Program has been in effect since October 2009. Finally Relay for Life funds thru the American Cancer Society stay LOCAL. There is so much to this program that I am not sure where to begin- the program takes full responsibility for all the patients who sign up and utilize this FREE program. The staff coordinate with Northern Michigan Hospital and staff, manages doctor appointments, radiation chemotherapy, drivers, van maintenance, valet service and more. Can you imagine organizing over 20 volunteers along with specialty patients and their emerging needs? The staff takes it all in stride. This program is so great because it takes into account each patient’s individual needs and lets us, the drivers, know their likes, dislikes and habits. They organize the pick up and drop off routes to cater to almost any need.
Up until now the program has serviced seven patients from Chippewa and Mackinac Counties. Seven, you say? The average number of times a patient has to go to Petoskey is thirty. Some patients must have more intense treatments than that. The R2R get these folks where they need to go. If you take seven patients with a minimum of thirty days treatment, that is 210 days total-almost 2/3 of a year and we just started the program in October of 2009. This new program deserves to be improved. Without R2R more families would have to miss work and be unduly burdened by cancer treatments. R2R is a quality, loving atmosphere so the spouses and families can rest easy knowing that R2R is handling all the duties involved in their care.
Business Neighbor
Winners in May
Individual- Amie Lawson
Amie Lawson, Girl Scout Troop Leader, was recently nominated by Suzanne Worden, for May 2010, for her dedication to volunteerism through the United Way Volunteer Center Spotlight Recognition Award.
Amie volunteers for several organizations. Her troop is a multi-level troop of 15 or so girls, which makes the job more difficult, but she just can’t say “no” to any girl who wants to be a Scout. She would rather take a girl into her troop than see them on a waiting list if there is no troop available for their age. She is also our Area Manager for Girl Scouts, and is responsibe for organizing and planning Area events for over 200 girls. Both of these positions are volunteer. Besides that, this year she took over her son’s Cub Scout den when the leader decided to leave. Her den has grown from 5 boys to 12 that attend regularly. She also helps with monthly events for the Cub Scout Pack. In addition to those two things, she finds time to volunteer for her church. She also works full-time at Sault Tribe Head Start, takes classes part time at LSSU, and still finds time to manage her family and home besides all of her volunteering.
L to R: Nikki Dowd, United Way Volunteer Center Advisory Committee Member, Amie Lawson, Suzanne Worden-nominator
Group- Newberry Senior Citizens
The Newberry Senior Citizens were recognized under the United Way Spotlight Recognition Program for the Month of May. They run a second hand store in which the proceeds are donated to other local organizations. CHAC has been one fo the fortunate organizations to receive funds from the Newberry Area Senior Citizen Group and were responsible for nominated the group. CHAC has used funds to hlep offset the cost of provideing medications to their clients.
L to R: Sue Taylor, Angie Nelson, Peggy Dahn, Wanda Dahn, Carol Major, Delores Fitzpatrick, Sandy Caswell, Doreen Ryan, Inah Fox, Chris Monck, Rachel Mitchell
Business Neighbor- Gloria's Happy Hooker
Gloria’s Happy Hooker was chosen as the Business Neighbor for May 2010 through the United Way Volunteer Center Spotlight Recognition Program. The owner, Gloria Larke, the staff, and the patrons of her store are all committed to making a difference in our community. Most recently, Gloria gathered several quilters together in her classroom area to make quilted placemats for the long-term care unit at War Memorial Hospital. Over 55 placemats were handcrafted and donated from Gloria and the area quilters. In addition, Gloria worked with area crafters to make and donate baby quilts, given to the first babies born on National Quilting Day. She is also a strong supporter of Relay for Life. Gloria organized and sold a cookbook, with all proceeds donated to help fight cancer; and, Gloria happily sells footprints and luminaries during the gear-up for the annual Chippewa County Relay for Life. Overall, Gloria’s community support and spirit make her a prime candidate for the Business Neighbor Spotlight. Way to go!
L to R: Michelle Thalacker, Nominator & Chair of the Volunteer Center Advisory Committee and center, Gloria Larke, owner of Gloria's Happy Hooker.
Winners in April
Individuals- Bob and Kristi Juda
Bob and Kristie Juda were recognized as the United Way Volunteer Individuals for the month of April for their countless contributions to the Sault High Robotics Team. They have volunteered approximately 30 hours each week for the past year to keep the Robotics Team operating. A few of their contributions include: hosting board meetings, organizing social and community service projects, and leading several large fundraisers. They were nominated by the Sault High Robotics Team and they really appreciate all that the Judas have done for their team
Group- WOW: Kids on the Block
The Working on Wellness (WOW) Kids on the Block are a group that performs puppet shows to local elementary children in the schools. The shows teach children about mental illness, stigma, bullying, and mental health. The girls spend time practicing for the skits and then take more time out of their busy schedules to perfrom. They are the United Way Recognition Spotlight Winners for the Month of April.
L to R: Becky Mills (Hiawatha Behavioral Health), Tasha Opalka, Lindsay McCoy, Nadia Chupka, Miranda Bunker, Roopa Chander, Deepa Chander, and (holding cake) Jessica Spincich.
Business Neighbor- Curves
Curves was recognized as the Business Neighbor of the Month for April 2010 through the United Way's Volunteer Center recognition program. Curves was nominated by Doreen Howson of the Diane Peppler Resource Center for holding food drives for their organization as well as collecting dog food for the Humane Society.
2nd from left: Doreen Howson. 3rd from left: Nancy Scales of Curves. Surrounding: Curves workout members.
Winners in March
Individuals - Lisa & Jim Cornwell
One day we received a phone call from a woman who asked if we could use the help of volunteers at our Food Bank. Lisa & Jim Cornwell were moving to Kincheloe from Jackson, MI and had been volunteering at a Food Pantry there and wanted to continue to help those in need. I said "Yes we could definitely use volunteers at our Food Bank." We didn't hear anything for a few weeks and then we recieved another phone call. "We are here now and settled in if you could use some help." How wonderful, I thought, we sure could use the extra help! It has been over a year now that Lisa and Jim have been volunteering at our Food Bank. They have been helping us with whatever is needed, such as organizign, cleaning and straightening our warehouse. They have also helped to fill orders, unload trucks and help with inventory as well, volunteering several hours a week.
Jim and Lisa have been very helpful in customer service, helping us get our orders out in a timely manner. We have received many compliments from customers as to their helpfulness in teh warehouse with the orders. Lisa and Jim are always smiling and friendly, wanting to do whatever they can to help. Besides helping at Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank-Sault Ste Marie Branch, they also help a local church with their pantry needs. Over this past year Lisa and Jim have been such a tremendous help at the Food Bank, with out their help we could not accomplish as much as we do. They have become more than volunteers, they have become our friends. We are extremely thankful for all that they do to help.
Group - Rho Chi Omega (LSSU Women's Sorority)
Rho Chi Omega is a new women's fraternity at LSSU. Over the past year, the sisters have decided to be a service-based organization rather than focusing on philanthropic efforts. The chapter has designated P.E.E.R.S. and the American Red Cross as their sponsored charities. As of February, the sisters of Rho Chi Omega have volunteered at 5 Red Cross Blood Drives and tutored on a weekly basis for P.E.E.R.S. As a group, the chapter also volunteered at this year's I-500 race.
In addition to the group volunteer opportunities, each sister chooses her own individual projects. Several of the women volunteer on campus at the Fine Arts Center, for both campus and community events. Four of the sisters assisted at the Sault Tribe Head Start program recently, playing with children during a Parent Coalition meeting. Three of the sisters are working as assistant coaches for the Girls on the Run program, and five others are hoping to serve as mentors with P.E.E.R.S.
Serving as the advisor to this chapter, I cannot be more proud of their commitment to serving the needs of our community and hope you will seriously consider honoring them with a Group of the Month Spotlight Award.
Business Neighbor -Tom and Abby Magnuson
As business owners, Tom and Abby Magnuson support the local community in a number of different ways. One way they show support is by partnering with Community Health Access Coalition (CHAC) and providing us with office space at a discounted rate which in turn allows us to utilize our resources to further assist individuals in accessing health care in the community. By having our own office space, patients can stop by the office to deliver paperwork, ask questions, and complete forms on site. We are very appreciative of the support shown to CHAC.
Mailing Address
United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula
PO Box 451
511 Ashmun St., Suite 200
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
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