The team at United Way of Southwest Michigan hopes you'll take a couple of moments to meet "Fred." Fred is a fictional cartoon caricature designed to be you, me and anyone and everyone else willing to step up and "Live United." Fred's debut on the little screen at You Tube is being shared today as he helps kick off the fall campaign for United Way. For the first time ever, the kick-off is a unified effort statewide in Michigan sharing the United Way story.
There are 34 local United Way’s in the state of Michigan, many of which kicked off a statewide effort today to share successes and encourage people to get involved in their communities. Scott Dzurka is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW). He tells us the unified kickoff allows participating United Ways to celebrate their local impact on a statewide stage.
Dzurka points out that “Local United Ways depend on collaboration to deliver real, meaningful impact that changes the community for the better. At the same time, we recognize that the challenges facing our communities don’t stop at county lines.” He adds,“The unified kickoff aims to raise awareness of needs, how United Ways and local partners are addressing them, and how people can get involved locally and beyond.”
Starting today, participating United Ways are sharing their stories through advertising, news media and social media. A common online website, letsliveunited.org, includes links to the local United Ways taking part. United Way of Southwest Michigan’s website is www.uwsm.org.
United Way of Southwest Michigan President Anna Murphy says, “Our United Way is conducting its own local fundraising and local investing in Southwest Michigan, just as always. We're simply telling our stories at the same time so even more people can learn about United Way and get engaged.” She notes that while the kickoff is statewide, funds being raised locally will stay in Berrien and Cass, Anna Murphy added.
According to Dzurka, the unified kickoff sprung from a dialogue between MAUW, Capital Area United Way, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, United Way of Jackson County, and United Way of Southwest Michigan. The effort adds no additional cost to participating United Ways, and in fact it helps increase visibility for smaller United Ways that may not have resources for extensive marketing.
Dzurka reminds everyone that “United Way connects and mobilizes all sectors in a community to create lasting change that produces healthy, educated and financially stable individuals and families.” He concludes, “The unified kickoff is about telling that story and inviting people to get involved.”
Take a look at the short video from United Way of SWM where you will meet Fred. He's cool…and he's cool with you looking in on what he's learning himself. Click the link below to "Meet Fred!:
