Nearly 11 years ago, Charles Coleman had a problem. Coleman,
who was working at Eastern Michigan University at the time,
realized alcohol had taken over his life. It was a big
step to just admit he had a problem.
That's when he decided to talk to the staff at Dawn Farm
in Ypsilanti. Established in 1973, the organization
is a United Way agency that provides affordable, high quality
alcoholism and drug addiction treatment.
 |
GIVING MODE: Deb Bratkovich, director
of marketing
and brand strategy for Washtenaw United Way, makes
a point during the United Way kick-off event that took
place in the Student Center Oct. 22. Eastern Michigan
University has set a goal to raise $100,000 this year to
help United Way
agencies in the community. |
That decision literally changed his life. Not only did
Coleman turn his life around, he eventually became coordinator
of Dawn Farm's Chapin Street Project, a position he still
occupies.
Coleman talked about his road to recovery during Eastern
Michigan University's kick-off breakfast Oct. 22 for its
United Way of Washtenaw County campaign. Approximately
100 unit representatives and representatives from 13 United
Way-funded agencies listened as Coleman urged them to increase
awareness about available services and the importance of
giving.
"When you go back to your departments, you really don't
know how your contribution will help someone down the line," said
Coleman. "I'm a living, breathing testimony on how the
United Way impacted my life."
You can always depend on the United Way being there and
it takes a whole community to make this work, he said.
Eastern Michigan's goal for 2009 is $100,000, said Walter
Kraft, vice president of communications. Kraft and Byron
Bond, dean of extended programs and educational outreach,
are co-chairs of the campaign, called Live United, that
runs through Nov. 20.
"The University has a 160-year history of engagement and,
more than ever, people need us to give," said Kraft. "We
have to encourage people to give and break a record this
year."
During her remarks, EMU President Susan Martin announced
her $1,000 pledge to kick off the campaign. Persons who
donate $1,000 or more are named as Leadership Givers.
Labor Leaders are those who give a minimum of $500 and
Caring Club members are those that have pledged at least
$156. Donors who give more than $156 also will receive
a discount card for area businesses.
This year's campaign is focusing more on garnering online
or E-pledge contributions. Eastern Michigan faculty and
staff were sent an e-mail last week with instructions and
a link to the online pledge site. E-pledges can be used
for all pledge methods, including cash, check, credit
card, debit card and payroll deduction.
As of Nov. 2, the campaign had logged $29,228 from 141
donors, according to Holly Smith, an executive secretary
in the president's office, who tallies the numbers. The
campaign runs through Nov. 20.
"We're way ahead of last year's donations," said Smith. "At
the end of the first week last year, 86 contributors gave
$15,374."
Bond encourages faculty and staff to review the United
Way brochure that lists the various agencies and their
mission.
"Look at the brochure and see what is worthy and what
is going on in our local community," he said. "The need
is unprecedented. Families are facing foreclosures and
are hungry without shelter. We should give back to our
communities."
The United Way of Washtenaw County has been working with
community agencies for nearly 90 years. The United
Way is a system that develops, strengthens and utilizes
a network of human care services through local, voluntary
citizen participation in order to improve community and
individual well-being.
For more information, go to http://www.emich.edu/unitedway/
