September 2006

In this Issue

• GoodSearch makes raising money for United Way E-Z
• Changing lives... thanks to you!
• Help a child learn to read.
• Kick off '06 campaign with caring.
• Election year issues… where does your candidate stand?

GoodSearch makes raising money for United Way E-Z

Whoever said there's no such thing as "easy money" never heard of GoodSearch.

That's because GoodSearch, an increasingly popular search engine, donates money to nonprofits like United Way for Southeastern Michigan when Web surfers use the tool.

The search engine is available at GoodSearch.com, the site founded by a brother and sister team Ken and JJ Ramberg, who wanted to make it easier for people to support their favorite causes. The site is dedicated to their mother, who they lost to cancer.

GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo!, and works like competing search engines (see sidebar at right).  The difference is that GoodSearch shares the revenue it generates from advertisers with charities and schools. So, every time a user performs a search a portion of those ad dollars go back into the community.

And if you're wondering how much revenue can be generated by search engines overall, consider this.  Last year, search engines reportedly generated close to $6 billion in revenue from advertisers.

Each completed search raises a penny or more for our organization. So, for example, if a thousand of our closest friends search twice a day, UWSEM would receive an estimated $7,300 per year, to help support our mission of mobilizing the caring power of southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways.

If 20,000 of our supporters and volunteers used it twice a day, we'd earn approximately $400 a day. 

That means having more resources to address community issues that matter most.  And you can keep track of our estimated earnings by clicking on "Amount Raised" once you designate United Way for Southeastern Michigan as your organization of choice.

The more people who use the search engine, the more money we'll earn.  So please spread the word.

What are you waiting for… start raising money for United Way today!

Changing lives... thanks to you!

On a quiet summer morning, Cynthia Miller was awakened by the thunderous echo of pounding outside her bedroom window. That was a year ago.

Less than 24 months earlier, her son, Phillip, suffered a brain stem injury during a car crash.  Doctors weren't sure he was going to survive, and his recovery would be long and extremely difficult.

Fortunately, it turns out the noise that interrupted Cynthia's sleep that July morning was actually the sound of life being made easier for her family.

"I was in shock and couldn't really grasp what had happened.  It took everything I had just to get through the night," Cynthia recalls, after initially learning that her son had been involved in a crash.

Phillip pulled through, but the 300-pound, former high school football player was unable to walk without assistance and required 24-hour care.  So Cynthia took an early retirement from the U.S. Postal Service.

Helping Phillip get in and out of the house was one of Cynthia's greatest challenges, and she couldn't afford to have a wheelchair ramp built on her retirement income.  She called United Way.

"I used to give when I worked at the post office, but never thought I'd be on the phone asking for help," Cynthia says.

Through United Way's Ray West Memorial Ramp Project, volunteers came out to Cynthia's house and built a ramp at no cost to her.  She doesn't' hold back her appreciation.

"To me, it represents the hand of God," Cynthia says.

With Phillip making progress in his rehabilitation, Cynthia was able to look for a part-time job. Ironically, she landed a position in the United Way 2-1-1 call center, where she helps connect individuals in need to more than 6,000 health and human services in metro Detroit.

"I understand what it's like when your family is facing a crisis," she says.  "I've been on the other side of the line." 

Help a child learn to read. Feed the Mind.

Chrysler Arts, Beats Eats not only brings the most talented performers and delicious cuisines to Pontiac Sept. 1-4, but it also helps raise money to benefit the Feed the Mind project, a special partnership between the festival and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Proceeds from Feed the Mind support United Way sponsored early childhood literacy programs. Several of Michigan's most well-known jazz musicians, along with nationally renowned artists, will perform during Labor Day weekend on the 24 Hours of Jazz Stage presented by WDIV Local 4 and Smooth Jazz V98.7 to heighten awareness of this cause.

Jazz fans can expect performances from Larry Lee & Back in the Day, Jessie Palter Quartet, Hot Rice, Lin Rountree & the Groove, Randy Scott and many other musicians. Shows take place Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m.- 8 p.m., and Monday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Feed the Mind promotes United Way literacy programs throughout the tri-county area, stressing the importance of early learning and its impact on children's lives. Festival-goers have the opportunity to make donations at the 24 Hours of Jazz Stage or at the Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats food ticket booths on Saginaw Street. Additionally, donations may be made online through United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Web site at www.uwsem.org/feedthemind.

"We have both a civic responsibility and a chance to enhance literacy and learning opportunities for children in our region," said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "We're grateful to partner with Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats, WDIV Local 4 and Smooth Jazz V98.7 for the Feed the Mind project."

Help kick off '06 campaign with caring

Mark your calendars -- this year's Day of Caring is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 8.

And once again,  you are invited to join thousands of other volunteers in helping improve metro Detroit communities during United Way's annual campaign kickoff.

More than 40 organizations came together last year to build wheelchair ramps, sort donated food items and complete an array of volunteer projects across Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties during the yearly Days of Caring.     

"Engaging your organization in a community volunteer project is a great team-building activity and morale booster," says Angela Walker, volunteer program associate at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "Having colleagues roll up their sleeves to volunteer to help the people and communities United Way serves is a hands-on experience that leaves a lasting impression."

Interested organizations can sign up to participate online at www.uwsem.org or by calling 313.226.9450.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for local companies to associate their name with the good work being done in our community," Walker adds.

One of the highlights this year will be the creation of four resource centers/libraries for agencies in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and the city of Detroit.  These centers are key United Way's early childhood development efforts, which include initiatives like Success By 6®.

Election year issues … where does your candidate stand?

Want a chance to speak to some of your elected officials on issues related to safe neighborhoods, access to services, literacy and others?

Then plan on attending one of four Public Policy Town Hall meetings hosted by United Way for Southeastern Michigan in September.

UWSEM has invited both incumbents and office seekers alike to participate in four different town hall-style meetings, one each in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, and the city of Detroit.

Join us on one of the following dates:

• Tues., Sept. 19 - Oakland Schools, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford
• Thur., Sept. 21 - YWCA of Western Wayne County, 26279 Michigan Ave., Inkster
• Tues., Sept. 26 - Erin Auditorium/Roseville City Hall Complex, 29777 Gratiot, Roseville
• Wed., Sept. 27 - Youthville, 7375 Woodward Ave., Detroit

All meetings are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

On-site voter registration will be available.

Come and share your concerns and ask questions of current elected officials and candidates for state elected official offices.
 
Please RSVP for this event by visiting www.uwsem.org/townhall or by contacting Norma Mills at 313.226.948. Please RSVP at least one week prior to the event.