United Way kicks off 58th annual Torch Drive campaign, Sept. 8
MEDIA ADVISORY
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321
DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan will kick off its 58th annual fundraising campaign Friday Sept. 8 with an early morning lighting of the organization’s 54-foot torch, located at the intersection of Woodward and Jefferson, in downtown Detroit. After the Torchlighting ceremony, more than 130 volunteers will take part in United Way’s Days of Caring, giving their time at local nonprofits to participate in beautification, clean-up and painting projects, as well as packing food for area pantries. The goal of the 2006 Torch Drive is $61 million. The campaign will continue through Nov. 15.
A main focus of this year’s Days of Caring is the creation of four resource library centers at nonprofit agencies in Detroit and in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Leading up to kickoff, volunteers will do mini makeovers, painting and cleaning existing spaces and constructing a special child-friendly bookshelf structure unique to each agency. On Sept. 8, volunteers will stock the renovated centers with books and educational toys to encourage early childhood literacy and learning, especially for children birth through age six. The newly created spaces will be unveiled throughout the day to the families and communities they serve.
United Way's Nonprofit Facilities Center (NFC) coordinated the design of the resource centers working with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, a nonprofit design center located within the University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture. The project focused on designing a playful space that encourages children to read and learn. The NFC works with nonprofit organizations in southeastern Michigan to ensure that the nonprofit’s facility most effectively and efficiently supports their mission and those they serve.
The following activities will provide several interview and photo opportunities as United Way kicks off its 2006 campaign, making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout our region. The times noted are the best times for media.
WHAT: United Way’s Campaign Kickoff and Torchlighting ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. Brief program at 6:30 a.m., Torchlighting at 6:40 a.m. (timed for live news coverage)
WHERE: Hart Plaza, downtown Detroit
WHO: Richard E. Dauch, 2006 Torch Drive chair and co-founder, chairman and CEO, American Axle & Manufacturing, will be joined by Anthony Adams, deputy mayor, City of Detroit; Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan; and Cynthia Miller, who began working in United Way’s 2-1-1 call center after her son Phillip received a wheelchair ramp from United Way in 2005.
WHAT: Resource Center unveiling at Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) in Detroit
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
WHERE: 5470 Chene, at E. Ferry, Detroit (north of Warren Ave., south of I-94)
WHY: To create a place for children and families in Detroit that will provide materials to develop children’s literacy skills from birth, allowing them to be successful in school.
WHO: Dauch and Brennan will join approximately 25 families served by NSO to explore the new center. They will read stories and interact with the children participating in art projects, such as alphabet collages and painting flowerpots.
WHAT: Resource Center unveiling at Leaps & Bounds in Warren
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: 8129 Packard, Warren (Enter from back parking lot off Hupp St., south of 9 Mile, east of Van Dyke)
WHY: To create a colorful place for children in Macomb County to learn and grow from birth.
WHO: Approximately 25 families will be participating in activities that foster parent/child interaction and early learning. Executive Director Denise Dorsz will be joined by Pastor Roger Facione, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, to read to the children and provide other activities.
WHAT: Volunteers refurbish visitation rooms at Oakland Family Services in Pontiac
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: 114 Orchard Lake Rd. (west of Woodward, at Front St.) (Media need to sign in at front desk.)
WHY: To create a pleasant atmosphere by cleaning, painting and refurbishing Oakland Family Services’ foster care visitation rooms.
WHO: Approximately 12 volunteers from St. Mary’s Prep High School will participate throughout the day.
WHAT: Resource Center unveiling at the Guidance Center’s Family Resource Center in the River Rouge Library
WHEN: Friday, September 8. 4:15 p.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE: 221 Burke St. (south of Coolidge Hwy., east of Jefferson Ave.)
WHY: To create a place that can serve as an after-school safe haven for children and families in the downriver communities.
WHO: Approximately 30 toddlers, preschoolers and their families will be making bookmarks, puppets and nursery rhyme books.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org. Contributions for the 2006 Torch Drive can be made online at www.onewaytohelp.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321
DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan will kick off its 58th annual fundraising campaign Friday Sept. 8 with an early morning lighting of the organization’s 54-foot torch, located at the intersection of Woodward and Jefferson, in downtown Detroit. After the Torchlighting ceremony, more than 130 volunteers will take part in United Way’s Days of Caring, giving their time at local nonprofits to participate in beautification, clean-up and painting projects, as well as packing food for area pantries. The goal of the 2006 Torch Drive is $61 million. The campaign will continue through Nov. 15.
A main focus of this year’s Days of Caring is the creation of four resource library centers at nonprofit agencies in Detroit and in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Leading up to kickoff, volunteers will do mini makeovers, painting and cleaning existing spaces and constructing a special child-friendly bookshelf structure unique to each agency. On Sept. 8, volunteers will stock the renovated centers with books and educational toys to encourage early childhood literacy and learning, especially for children birth through age six. The newly created spaces will be unveiled throughout the day to the families and communities they serve.
United Way's Nonprofit Facilities Center (NFC) coordinated the design of the resource centers working with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, a nonprofit design center located within the University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture. The project focused on designing a playful space that encourages children to read and learn. The NFC works with nonprofit organizations in southeastern Michigan to ensure that the nonprofit’s facility most effectively and efficiently supports their mission and those they serve.
The following activities will provide several interview and photo opportunities as United Way kicks off its 2006 campaign, making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout our region. The times noted are the best times for media.
WHAT: United Way’s Campaign Kickoff and Torchlighting ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. Brief program at 6:30 a.m., Torchlighting at 6:40 a.m. (timed for live news coverage)
WHERE: Hart Plaza, downtown Detroit
WHO: Richard E. Dauch, 2006 Torch Drive chair and co-founder, chairman and CEO, American Axle & Manufacturing, will be joined by Anthony Adams, deputy mayor, City of Detroit; Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan; and Cynthia Miller, who began working in United Way’s 2-1-1 call center after her son Phillip received a wheelchair ramp from United Way in 2005.
WHAT: Resource Center unveiling at Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) in Detroit
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
WHERE: 5470 Chene, at E. Ferry, Detroit (north of Warren Ave., south of I-94)
WHY: To create a place for children and families in Detroit that will provide materials to develop children’s literacy skills from birth, allowing them to be successful in school.
WHO: Dauch and Brennan will join approximately 25 families served by NSO to explore the new center. They will read stories and interact with the children participating in art projects, such as alphabet collages and painting flowerpots.
WHAT: Resource Center unveiling at Leaps & Bounds in Warren
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: 8129 Packard, Warren (Enter from back parking lot off Hupp St., south of 9 Mile, east of Van Dyke)
WHY: To create a colorful place for children in Macomb County to learn and grow from birth.
WHO: Approximately 25 families will be participating in activities that foster parent/child interaction and early learning. Executive Director Denise Dorsz will be joined by Pastor Roger Facione, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, to read to the children and provide other activities.
WHAT: Volunteers refurbish visitation rooms at Oakland Family Services in Pontiac
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8. 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: 114 Orchard Lake Rd. (west of Woodward, at Front St.) (Media need to sign in at front desk.)
WHY: To create a pleasant atmosphere by cleaning, painting and refurbishing Oakland Family Services’ foster care visitation rooms.
WHO: Approximately 12 volunteers from St. Mary’s Prep High School will participate throughout the day.
WHAT: Resource Center unveiling at the Guidance Center’s Family Resource Center in the River Rouge Library
WHEN: Friday, September 8. 4:15 p.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE: 221 Burke St. (south of Coolidge Hwy., east of Jefferson Ave.)
WHY: To create a place that can serve as an after-school safe haven for children and families in the downriver communities.
WHO: Approximately 30 toddlers, preschoolers and their families will be making bookmarks, puppets and nursery rhyme books.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org. Contributions for the 2006 Torch Drive can be made online at www.onewaytohelp.org.
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Labels: Annual Campaign
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