Digging Deep for United Way
Elizabeth LeGrand, a Human Resources Generalist at Dake, knew that in these economic times asking co-workers to make charitable contributions might be challenging. What she didn’t know was how truly generous they would be. As Dake’s 2010 United Way Employee Campaign Coordinator, Elizabeth says she was ‘impressed but not surprised’ that donations increased by nearly 21 percent over last year. “This level of giving really speaks to the compassion of Dake employees.”
And it’s the same throughout other JSJ businesses in Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida where employees are generously supporting the United Way. Whether it’s through volunteer service, special events, projects or donating from their paychecks, team members are digging deep and giving back. And JSJ makes their contributions go even further by matching their donations up to 50 percent resulting in a contribution of over $134,000 for United Way this year.
After serving on the local United Way allocation committee in 2009 Brenda Birkman, an Accounting Analyst at GHSP in Hart, MI, invited several of the agencies to talk with employees this year. “I wanted them to hear directly from some of the organizations receiving support from United Way,” says Brenda. The result - donations went up 20 percent. Brenda knows the value of first hand information. “Until I got involved with United Way I wasn’t fully aware of all the agencies supported and the services they provide. I wanted to help our employees understand that giving even $1 a week can truly make a difference.”
And that’s a difference worth making.