Livingston County United Way Announces 'Triple Money Monday'

By Nancy A. Rosso
Livingston County United Way executive director

Driven by the ever-increasing needs in the community, the Livingston County United Way is excited to share the news that on Monday, Dec. 19, all cash, check, charge and text contributions made to the organization will be tripled in value! 

The Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation, along with two additional donors who wish to remain anonymous, have stepped up to make “Triple Money Monday 2011” a reality. 

The monies raised on Triple Money Monday will be designated specifically to provide local families and individuals with the basics:

• Food and shelter
• Rent and utility assistance
• Budgeting and financial education
• Employment services
• And more!

Some statistics validating placing such a high emphasis on basic need programs include:

• Continuing high unemployment rates for Livingston County, at about 9.9%.
• Poverty in Livingston County has doubled over the last five years, with an estimated 12% of the total population currently living in poverty.
• The number of students receiving free and reduced school lunches has almost tripled over the last decade, currently representing 24% of total public school enrollment.
• Livingston County has nearly 16,400 residents on Medicaid, up 14% since October, 2009.
• It is anticipated that between March, 2011 and June, 2012, an additional 10,000 area residents will lose unemployment benefits.
• 40% of all calls received by the United Way’s 2-1-1 Regional Call Center are requests for basic needs services (food, rent or mortgage payment assistance, shelter, help with utilities, etc.)

In 2011, for every $1 donated to the Livingston County United Way, $2.08 went directly back into important community programs.  Peter Bowen, president of the Livingston County United Way Board of Directors shared his thoughts:  “We all know people who have lost their jobs, their homes, or just can’t keep up. Just keeping the lights on and heating a home can be a challenge, and area food pantries are seeing double the number of people asking for help.  The work we do has never been more important.

“The Livingston County United Way knows how to mobilize the right people and agencies to seek solutions to our local issues, which enables the organization to maximize donors’ gifts” continued Bowen.  “For example, with the Livingston County United Way’s ability to leverage gifts at a rate of $1 = $2.08, the true impact of a $100 donation on Triple Money Monday becomes $624 that goes directly back into important services for people in need.

“Through the generosity of the Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation, our two anonymous donors, and the great support of our community, we’ll be helping thousands of Livingston County families through this event,” stated Bowen.  “What a great gift to our community!”

Much has been accomplished in the community as a result of the success of the past three years Triple Money Mondays.  Some examples include:

• Assisted hundreds of homeless families and are working to develop a new homeless plan initiative
• Assisted the development of the Livingston County Hunger Council and have since helped to close the hunger gap for Livingston County residents by almost 80%!
• Eliminated the Meals on Wheels waiting list for homebound seniors
• Supported the expansion of the Community Garden program which produced 12,000+ lbs. of fresh produce for area food pantries
• Purchased over 15,000 lbs. of high-protein food for local pantries
• Provided transportation services to keep residents employed
• Staffed the new “Resource Navigator” position to help people get quickly connected to available resources
• Compiled and distributed thousands of “Community Resource Guides”
• Coordinated legal services for foreclosure prevention counseling

Memorial gifts or ‘in honor of’ gifts can be made to recognize special people and certificates and receipts will be provided. Charitable year-end giving has distinct tax advantages and can be a potential way to reduce tax liabilities as all contributions are 100 percent tax deductible, and the dollars stay local – what’s raised in Livingston, stays in Livingston.

Donations can be made by calling the Livingston County United Way at 810-494-3000, by online giving at www.lcunitedway.org, or in person at locations throughout Livingston County.  The more technical-savvy donor can donate by clicking on our QR code located on flyers around the county as well as on our media partner websites.  For "texters": text to 85944, key word "uwmich" to make a one-time donation of $10 to be billed to your mobile phone bill.

The Livingston County United Way office, located at 2980 Dorr Road, will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19. Olinik Family McDonald’s will be serving coffee at the United Way office from 7 a.m.-noon.

Other locations taking donations for the “Triple Money Monday” during regular business hours include the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, Hartland Chamber of Commerce, all county-wide Citizens Bank locations, Krug Ford Lincoln Mercury, and Professional Concepts Insurance Agency.

For more information about the Livingston County United Way, the programs it funds, and partnerships and collaborations, visit www.lcunitedway.org or call 810-494-3000.

Your Christmas gift to the community will make a huge impact in the lives of others when you participate in Triple Money Monday!  Won’t you join us?