The United Way's Day of Caring 2017 - September 8th - Downtown Muskegon

We covered the United Way's Day of Caring last year as the events were wrapping up at the Muskegon Farmers Market.  We talked to some of the United Way Staff, a few of the companies that pitched in and gave you the over all feel and something must have worked out....because it's a year later and it's about to happen again and it's bigger than ever.  Last year the focus was on the beautification projects around town.... this year... it's honoring those who were willing to give all.



The United Way Day of caring is September 8th this year.  It all kicks off at the LST 393 in the morning with the Muskegon Host Lions Club doing a pancake breakfast for those who are in for the day of service.  After that, the teams are spreading out to area homes, where veterans live and they will go to work on household needs and yard needs as a way of saying thank you for the willingness that they had to serve our country and protect our freedom.  It's an overwhelming endeavor, but...when the hundreds of volunteers get together to accomplish this return gift to area vets, well, as the old saying goes, many shoulders lessen the load. After the work is done, the crews head back to the ship for lunch and a recap of the event.

United Way of The Lakshore Online!

This also serves as the kick off foe the United Way's yearly capital campaign.  As a community, to help support the work they do and the programs they run.  Programs like ALICE....advocacy and education for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed people in Muskegon.  Essentially, the working poor.  The United Way also offers education programs, mentoring programs, Dolly Partons Imagination Library, Lights on After School and so much more.  Not to mention the reach they have in support of countless other agencies who all work to help the people of Muskegon.  We are proud partners with the United Way.

As the day approaches, I went right to the top!  Stephanie Stewart is my guest.  She's the Community Engagement Assistant at the United Way of the Lakeshore.  She is also an up and coming young person in Muskegon who's proving day in and day out that what you're seeing and hearing around town..all the Watch Us Go stuff... it's real.  It's reaching a younger generation and the attitude of complacency and head scratching is being replaced by get out of our way... we're going to fix this.  I do have to add in a personal note, this was the first time I got to speak to a "20 something" about all we are seeing and doing in Muskegon....I have to be upfront....I got a little choked up when I heard that they are not seeing things as a gimmick or more lip service.  They are in....it's all hands on deck from more than just one generation now.....and it feels great.  Take a listen to our talk below.

September 8th!  As you heard in the video, more volunteers than ever before.  All coming together this time around to honor veterans with some extra hands to help, a way of saying thank you.  All coming together too to prove that when Muskegon makes up it's mind that something needs to get done...and we all jump in together, there is nothing or no one who can stop us!  We are getting stronger as a community daily and the work of the people of the United Way of the Lakeshore is helping to showcase that work!