UNITED WAY’S MONTH OF CARING RECAP
After having to cancel several in-person volunteer events last year due to the ongoing pandemic, our staff and local volunteers helped us make up for lost time. This September, our calendar included a full month of volunteer events across West Michigan.
9/11 Day of Service 20th Anniversary Event | Saturday, September 11
“We believe our older adult customers will find these kits very helpful as they provide a starting point to continue building upon with the assistance of family/friends. These kits will be essential if an emergency were to occur and will initiate the process for the development of an emergency plan, which we will provide follow-up on.”
—Kent County Community Action
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that changed the world, we hosted a day of service and remembrance. This month was also National Preparedness Month, which emphasizes the importance of disaster preparation.
Volunteers of all ages joined us at the GR Kroc Center to help assemble 1,200 emergency preparedness starter kits for families in Grand Rapids and their own households. We also held a resource fair with information on emergency preparedness from the Grand Rapids Fire Department, 2-1-1, Kent County Animal Shelter, Community Action Kent County, and more.
Together, we made this a day of doing good, serving others, and paying tribute to the lives and heroes we lost that fateful day in September.
Day of Caring | Friday, September 17
Day of Caring is Heart of West Michigan United Way’s annual county-wide service event. Each September, corporate teams report to work at agencies and schools across our community to complete projects that their staff need extra help with.
For this year’s event, nearly 300 employees from local companies volunteered their time at nonprofits in Kent County. Volunteer projects included meal preparation and food packing, painting, landscaping and yardwork, event support, and more.
We’re so thankful for our volunteers and both our company and agency partners dedicated to making West Michigan a better place for everyone.
“Our company culture is very focused on community involvement, and they give us the opportunity to step away and help the community. We haven’t seen each other in awhile because we work remotely, so we make it fun like a team outing. Also, it makes me feel good to help the community.”
—Heidi, Service Express volunteer at Boys & Girls Club
Operation United | Friday, September 24
“I try to volunteer any time I can, and I have a special place in my heart for veterans.”
—RE/MAX of Grand Rapids volunteer
For this annual initiative, we match veterans (with a focus on seniors and those with disabilities) with groups of volunteers. On event day, volunteers complete outdoor improvements to make veterans’ homes safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable.
This year saw community volunteers come together to help nine veterans and active military families here in Kent County. They completed projects such as yardwork, landscaping, and minor outdoor home repairs for these homeowners in need. Meet the veterans and families who participated by reading their profiles.
Thank you to our veterans for your service, the companies who sponsored this event, and the volunteers who gave back to our local heroes.
“It’s a true blessing. I don’t have the right words to express my gratitude.”
VOLUNTEER WITH US
If you’d like to volunteer for a one-time event or commit to a longer-term project, visit our website to browse opportunities by interest, date, agency, and more. Plus, create a Get Connected profile to receive updates from your favorite nonprofits.