Donna Pope of St. Ignace holds her "United Way Volunteer of the Month" certificate for her volunteer work in the community, including work at United Methodist Church, for St. Ignace Area Hope, the hospital auxiliary, the annual crop walk, Bingo at the hospital's longterm care facility, the Arts Dockside event, Relay for Life, the church's annual turkey dinner, and countless other area events and causes. Mrs. Pope said she was surprised to receive the award during the United Way luncheon Tuesday, November 10. Volunteers will gather at the St. Ignace Public Library this weekend to help stuff holiday baskets with food, gift cards, and vouchers for turkeys for needy families as part of United Way's new Family Volunteer Day program. That program was announced and Donna Pope of St. Ignace was named Volunteer of the Month at a United Way campaign luncheon in St. Ignace Tuesday, November 10.

Representatives from several local charitable organizations met at the luncheon to discuss fundraising efforts, and to raise awareness of United Way programs. The luncheon was open to the public. Some organizations represented were Community Health Access Coalition, Diane Peppler Resource Center, and HOME of Mackinac County.

Family Volunteer Day,

Meeting Is Saturday

A new Family Volunteer Day program will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at the St. Ignace Public Library.

Families are invited to gather the weekend before Thanksgiving to help stuff holiday baskets. Grant funding has paid for gift cards and turkey vouchers, but Brad Hunter said United Way is looking for donations from the community to help fill these baskets with other essential holiday foods.

The plan is to post volunteers outside Glen's Markets in St. Ignace with lists of needed donations in the days leading up to Saturday. These flyers will each have an "X" next to a different item that the volunteers will ask shoppers to buy along with their other groceries.

The United Way is looking for volunteers to take shifts handing out these flyers as well as families to come stuff baskets Saturday. Those who would like to volunteer or request more information may contact Brad Hunter at 253-9839.

Following Family Volunteer Day at the library, community members are invited to stay for a "living room meeting," in which representatives from United Way will request ideas about what kinds of volunteer opportunities people would like to see in the area.

"We want to hear about what sort of volunteer opportunities people want and would like to take part in," said Kristina Beamish, United Way of the EUP Volunteer Center director. The community meeting will take place at the library immediately following the Thanksgiving basket stuffing workshop.

Donna Pope Named Volunteer of the Month After Mrs. Beamish introduced the United Way Volunteer of the Month program and distributed forms for anyone to nominate a local volunteer, she surprised Donna Pope with balloons and a certificate recognizing her as the United Way of the EUP Volunteer of the Month.

Mrs. Pope was nominated and honored for her many contributions to the community over the years, including volunteering for St. Ignace Area Hope, at United Methodist Church, for Relay for Life, the St. Ignace Crop Walk, Arts Dockside, the annual church turkey dinner, for the hospital and long-term care, and other organizations.

Those interested in nominating a volunteer for this recognition can contact the United Way of the EUP Volunteer Center at 253-9839. Nomination forms need to be sent in before the first Monday of each month, when the Volunteer Center Advisory Committee meets and chooses a volunteer to honor.

Fundraising Efforts Stepped Up

in Mackinac County

This year alone, Community Health Access Coalition was able to help 224 uninsured Mackinac County residents receive access to healthcare. The coalition is not requesting funding from United Way for next year because, representatives from the organization said, they can get along without the funds next year and would rather others in more dire need get help.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Mackinac County, the newest United Way agency, provided six families with homeownership education, 15 families with foreclosure counseling, and assisted three low to moderate income families purchase homes. United Way's citizen review panel is currently considering HOME for funding.

Jerry Morningstar of Hessel stood up and told the group about his experience as a United Way volunteer. Since retiring from UPS, Mr. Morningstar has worked in various areas of the organization, including raising funds from organizations like schools, hospitals, and businesses in Mackinac and Chippewa counties.

"It's a well-run, lean operation that can't get much better," he said.

Other area organizations affiliated with the United Way include American Red Cross, Bay Cliff Health Camp, Boy Scouts, Catholic Charities, EUP Dispute Resolution Center, Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Girl Scouts, Great Lakes Recover Centers New Hope Houses, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Northstar Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and Sault Housing Safe Haven.

All of these agencies would be willing to come to businesses, clubs, and other organizations to talk about what they are doing and why, said Molly Paquin, executive director for United Way of the EUP.

The United Way of the EUP has stepped up its fundraising efforts in Mackinac County and has seen increased pledges from hospital and school employees in St. Ignace this year.

The number of givers at Mackinac Straits Hospital increased by 48 this year, Mrs. Paquin said, and St. Ignace Schools had 13 more givers this year than last year. In 2008, Mackinac County government offices provided the highest number of givers in the county and Mrs. Paquin said she expects good things from them again this year.

Mr. Hunter also gave a report on the Youth Volunteer Corps, a program that brought a group of students into the community earlier in the year and helped each child rack up more than 100 volunteer service hours.

Disney To Trade Park Tickets

for Volunteer Hours

One more reason to volunteer, Mrs. Beamish said, is the promotion Disney is launching in January, which offers a day's admission to a Disney theme park to those who volunteer a day at an approved organization.

There is still time to request specific organizations be included in the program, Mrs. Beamish said, which is part of the reason United Way is looking for community suggestions after the Family Volunteer Day Saturday.

"We can make any project a Disney one," she said. The "Givea day, Get-a-day" program begins January 1, 2010, and anyone interested in signing up may do so then on Disney's Web site. For more information or to find out about volunteer opportunities in the area, contact United Way of the EUP at 632-3700.

Mini T-shirt

Fundraiser Continues

A fundraising campaign around St. Ignace uses paper "I Live United" T-shirts, which United Way has given to area banks and credit unions to sell for $1. The proceeds go to United Way organizations and those who donate can write their name on the paper Tshirt for the banks to display.