November 2006

In this Issue

• Community rallies to raise $61 million
• United Way, five partners team up to transform region
• Detroit sports pros join United Way team
• Holiday volunteer opportunities

Community rallies to raise $61 million

Over 600 business, community and labor leaders left United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Victory Celebration nearly blown away by surprisingly good news -- the organization surpassed its $61-million goal for 2006.

The main ballroom at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center was buzzing with anticipation during the Nov. 15 dinner for United Way supporters. This year's campaign was about overcoming tough challenges, including the loss of about 290,000 jobs in Michigan since 2000, resulting in a much smaller pool of potential donors.

So when current Campaign General Chair Richard E. Dauch, co-founder, chairman and CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing, stood at the podium ready to make the announcement, the air was thick with nervous tension. But the moment he announced the campaign total had reached $61,071,767, everything changed.

In fact, before Dauch could get through all eight figures, the room erupted in applause, followed by the thunderous sound of fireworks blasting through the ballroom sound system.

The success of this year's United Way campaign is evidence that, in times of crisis, metro Detroiters are willing to set aside divisive issues for the good of the community. Metro Detroit continues to prove that it is the region with the biggest heart and most generous givers.

"I am so proud of the incredible effort made by every volunteer and business, members of organized labor, agencies and the media who worked relentlessly to help us achieve our $61-million goal," Dauch said.

"Even with the challenges of our economy, we stayed focused on our mission and the task before us. The dedication and passionate commitment of this year's Campaign Cabinet never wavered. They are true champions for our community."

Following his remarks, Dauch ceremoniously passed the campaign torch to incoming general chair Troy Clarke, GM Group Vice President and President of GM North America.

"Supporting this campaign is about more than helping those we've traditionally considered 'needy.' This campaign is really about securing the future of our region - finding ways we can all work together for the sustained success of all those in southeast Michigan," said UWSEM President and CEO Michael J. Brennan.

United Way, five partners team up to transform region

Over the years ambitious plans to remake the city of Detroit and other pockets of southeast Michigan have come and gone with little, if any, success.

But all of that is about to change, according to executives from United Way for Southeastern Michigan and five other regional business and community groups that officially joined forces Nov. 14 to form One D: Transforming Regional Detroit.

In addition to United Way, other One D partners include New Detroit, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Renaissance, the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan.

One D's goal is to get the groups working jointly to improve economic prosperity, educational preparedness, regional transit, race relations, regional cooperation and quality of life issues.

These organizations work to meet specific, individual objectives, but they recognize that they have a collective responsibility to the region as well.

Many of these civic organizations have spent the past year assessing strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in southeast Michigan. Through the course of these various studies, which included interviews with thousands of concerned citizens, and civic, business and academic leaders, the organizations amassed volumes of research.

The findings of these studies will be announced in coming months, and One D planners will use the combined data to develop a unified blueprint for transforming southeast Michigan communities. That blueprint is scheduled to be unveiled during the 2007 Mackinac Policy Conference.

In the meantime, One D will be obtaining input from other organizations across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties that may be interested in tackling issues relative to the six priority areas.

Detroit sports pros join United Way team

Detroit's major sports teams have formed an unprecedented partnership to help area children succeed in school and in life.

Dubbed Sports Champions, the new United Way for Southeastern Michigan led program was formally launched in September by co-chairs Dave Bing, chairman of The Bing Group, and famed broadcaster George Blaha, voice of the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State Spartans. The program aims to keep children in the classroom and to help them excel beyond high school.

Never before have all of the major professional sports teams in one city rallied together around a single cause, according to Blaha. He was instrumental in getting the effort off of the ground and with arranging the taping of a series of public service announcements -- featuring current and former athletes -- that will soon begin airing on local television channels and in area stadiums and arenas.

The Detroit Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, Shock and Tigers are all involved in their respective community outreach programs and fundraising activities in support of youth charities and programs. Sports Champions provides the teams an opportunity to make an even larger impact by combining resources to address specific education-related issues, taking advantage of the capacity United Way for Southeastern Michigan provides.

The teams are combining efforts with United Way's Virgil H. Carr School Attendance Initiative to make this happen. The initiative focuses on working with communities to address attendance problems, because experts realize too many young people are getting off track.

In fact, the national high school graduation rate is only 68 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Southeast Michigan is losing an average of 110 students a day.

The biggest contributor to this disturbing trend is truancy, and chronically poor attendance is about more than students skipping school. Experts say truancy is often the result of a lack of family stability, insufficient parenting skills and parental control, and child abuse or neglect in the home. Ultimately, too many parents aren't sending their children to school.

Holiday volunteer opportunities

Looking for a fun way to give back this holiday season? How about gathering a group of friends and volunteering with one of the many charities in your area? Group and individual volunteer opportunites are now available.

Adopt-a-Family
Throughout the holiday season a number of our agencies have Adopt-a-Family programs. Volunteers who participate in Adopt-a-Family programs can donate their time as well as needed holiday items to these agencies and families. Click here to learn more.

Holiday Telephone Specialist Holiday Opportunities
Volunteers in this position will be responsible for answering questions about Turning Point's Holiday Donation Appeal (a script will be provided), returning phone inquiries, scheduling donation drop-off times, and faxing/mailing wish lists to interested parties. Volunteers must have good communication and phone skills. Click here to learn more.

Click here for additional holiday volunteer opportunities in your area.

Remember, Volunteer Solutions can help you find volunteer opportunities in your area all year long. Please visit Volunteer Solutions at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwsem or call United Way for Southeastern Michigan's George W. Romney Volunteer Center at 313-226-9200.