United Way Kicks off 2018/19 Annual Community Giving Campaign

Earlier today, United Way for Southeastern Michigan President and CEO Dr. Darienne Driver and 2018/19 Campaign Chair Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president, Global Operations for Ford Motor Company, members of his campaign cabinet and more than 300 volunteers officially launched the organization’s 2018/19 Community Giving Campaign. The pep rally-themed event included pom-poms and banners, and featured nearly 30 DPSCD students from Martin Luther King, Jr., High School band to energize the crowd around this year’s campaign goals. The event was also simulcast via Facebook Live.

For this year’s campaign United Way chose to elevate volunteerism along with traditional contributions. Groups of volunteers from Ford, United way partner agencies, board and staff were stationed at Haven in Pontiac; Lakeshore Family YMCA in St. Clair Shores; and at United Way. They worked to assemble 4,000 job interview, literacy and hygiene kits to benefit children and adults in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Under Hinrichs’ leadership as the 2018/19 campaign chair, United Way aims to log 25,000 volunteer service hours and raise $45 million dollars to benefit families via its programs focused on Health, Education and Economic Prosperity.

To keep the momentum going toward United Way’s goal of 25,000 volunteer hours, sign up to volunteer for upcoming opportunities by visiting www.UnitedWaySEM.org/25KHours.