United Way to kick off 2015 campaign at Siena Heights University stadium

This year’s kick-off for the 2015 United Way campaign is Friday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 a.m. in O’Laughlin Stadium at Siena Heights University. United Way supporters will gather to celebrate the organization’s achievements and a new year of fundraising and community assistance with new Community Engagement Manager Copi Valdiviez, as well as the teams and cheerleaders from Siena Heights University and Adrian College.“It’s a real kick-off this year thanks to Siena Heights University and Adrian College who are providing football tickets for a giveaway,” said Jim Hartley, campaign chair for the 2015 fundraising.The annual United Way Day of Action continues after the kick-off festivities on September 18. Valdiviez hopes to have 600 volunteers working throughout Lenawee County to help in a variety of ways, from clean-up of public areas to providing assistance to individuals in need.There are 400 people already signed up for the Day of Action, and Valdiviez believes the generosity of people in the county will fill up the other spots before September 18.“People see the value of kicking in and rolling up their sleeves,” Hartley said.Prior to the kick-off, Valdiviez and Lenawee United Way are making contacts with workplaces in the county to present the campaign. The goal is to reach out to area businesses and organizations with presentations designed to illustrate the goals of United Way and how donations are utilized.“Consumers Energy underwrote the cost for the video,” Valdiviez said. “We are very thankful for their support.”A video has been created for the presentations and is also available to view online at www.lenaweeunitedway.org. The two-minute video illustrates the three areas of focus for Lenawee United Way, and how the non-profit organization hopes to strengthen the community.United Way on both a national and local level is working to address the areas of education, health, and financial stability. According to Valdiviez, United Way’s goal of lowering the high school drop-out rate for financially struggling youth has to start at the beginning of every child’s academic career.Support of early childhood and pre-kindergarten programs in Lenawee County may mean results are not seen for more than a decade, but intervention at a young age is the best way to help more children graduate from high school, the non-profit believes. Local organizations receiving United Way support include Adrian Community Preschool Three-Year-Old Program at $19,500, Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) Lenawee Great Start Collaborative at $10,000, LISD Lenawee’s CHILD at $25,528, and YMCA of Lenawee County Three-Year-Old Scholarship Program at $19,000.Health funded programs are the second area of United Way’s focus in the county. The goal is to reduce obesity and help all residents have access to healthy fruits and vegetables.United Way has a wellness coach on staff whose salary is funded by separate donors, but the organization believes more assistance is the key to success, especially in lowering the rate of obesity. Organizations supported by United Way to improve the health of county residents include Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee Triple Play at $30,000 and HOPE Community Center TheWellness Club at $30,000.Helping people understand their finances and providing support to encourage financial stability is also a benefit for the county as a whole. United Way is committed to helping those who need financial assistance.Financial programs supported by United Way include Community Action Agency Complete Approach to Self-Sufficiency (CASS) at $45,000, Goodwill Industries Raise Up at $45,000, and Habitat for Humanity Pathway to Home Ownership at $20,000.“It’s all about helping people live within their means,” said Valdiviez. “The programs are designed to help people move up the economic ladder.”The organization still assists with basic needs of individuals in the areas of food and shelter, but believes addressing these three areas is the key to helping more people over time. A narrow focus is a better way to work long-term.“We aren’t going to turn the world around next year,” said Hartley. “But we need to get the biggest return possible.”For more information on scheduling a presentation by Lenawee United Way, signing up to work on the Day of Action, or to learn more about Lenawee United Way programs call 263.4696 or visit www.lenaweeunitedway.org.