Thursday night’s United Way of Southwest Michigan Annual Celebration proved the community is in good hands.
The nonprofit organization set a lofty campaign goal of $4 million last year, and the work put in by Berrien and Cass county donors, volunteers and community members paid off. United Way set another record, attaining a historic $4,186,203 in 2016.
The night may have been highlighted by the money raised, but was decorated by the lives changed. The attainment presenters were recipients of United Way services. Nate Whitelow has been a Foster Grandparent through Area Agency on Aging for almost five years. Foster Grandparents is a program funded by United Way. Nate was able to take to the stage to help reveal the attainment. A former United Way staffer, Angela Brownie helped establish Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library back in 2009. Now, her children are enrolled in the reading program. She, too, took to the stage to help reveal the attainment.
“It was a very special evening. There was a lot of hard work put into making this event possible,” said United Way of Southwest Michigan President Anna Murphy. “When you surpass your goal, you have to give credit to the community.
We did this together, and together we are able to change more lives because of it. We are grateful to all of donors, volunteers and community members who helped make this happen.”
As the night’s finale video stated, United Way is more than the fundraisers; they’re the “hand-raisers,” the “gamechangers.”
More than 72,000 people across Berrien and Cass counties were served in 2016 through United Way, nearly one-third of the population of the two counties combined. More than $3.1 million of state and federal funds were leveraged through United Way funding. Volunteers racked up over 32,400 hours of service, a value of more than $764,000.
The numbers only go on.
United Way backed up the numbers with touching success stories told through four videos presented throughout the evening, focusing on education, income, health and basic needs. One video featured Misty Dotson, who grew up with an abusive alcoholic father. At just 10 years old, she witnessed her mother kill her father in self-defense. Her mother later died of cancer, which sent Dotson’s life into a world of heavy drug use, including meth. She finally received help through the Substance Abuse Enhanced Outpatient Program at Woodland’s Behavioral Health in Cassopolis.
Dotson now works at Woodland’s helping others overcome their addiction.
“2016 was an amazing year. It was such an honor to work with so many dedicated people that are focused on the health, education and financial stability of everyone in our community — and to watch our community rally around these values through their giving was inspiring,” said Ann Cardon, the superintendent of St. Joseph Public Schools and the 2016 United Way Campaign Chair.
United Way would like to thank the following sponsors for the event: 1st Source Bank, Lakeland Health, AEP, D.C. Cook Plant, Whirlpool Corporation, Gast Manufacturing, Honor Credit Union, and Andrews University.
For more information on United Way, visituwsm.org.
To view United Way’s “We Fight For” video, visit:
facebook.com/unitedwayswmich.

2016 AWARD
WINNERS
Campaign Chair Recognition
Ann Cardon
Large Business of the Year
Gast Manufacturing
Whirlpool Corporation
Medium Business of the Year
Mid-West Family Broadcasting
Small Business of the Year
Coloma Township Police Department
ECC of the Year – Large Business
Lauren Thurston and Stephanie Timmer, Chemical Bank
ECC of the Year – Medium Business
Becky Ritter, 1st Source Bank
ECC of the Year – Small Business
David Ravitch and Allan Volker, Ravitron
Inspired Giving Award
Lindberg/MPH
Campaign Cabinet Choice Award
Martin’s Super Markets, St. Joseph
David J. Weichhand Award
AEP, DC Cook Plant
Impact Chair Recognition
James Knight, United Federal Credit Union
Live United Award
Kinexus
Excellence in Impact Award – Organization
Woodlands Behavioral Health Network
Excellence in Impact Award – Individual
Mike Mortimore
Pacesetter Recognition
AEP, DC Cook Plant; Competitive Edge; Edgewater Bank; 1st Source Bank; Kemner Iott Benz; Lakeland Health; Meijer of Benton Harbor; Meijer of Stevensville; Mid-West Family Broadcasting; and Walsworth Publishing Company
Breakthrough Award
CARES; Edgewater Bank; Horizon Bank; Lake Michigan College; Lakeland Health; Modineer; Old National Bank; Senior Nutrition Services; UPS; Vail Rubber Works Inc.; and Watervliet Public Schools
Trendsetter Award
Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor; Gateway; The Herald-Palladium; Kemner Iott Benz; Lakeshore Public Schools; Michigan Gas Utilities; Mosaic CCDA; Pri Mar Petroleum Inc.; St. Joseph Public Schools; and Teachers Credit Union
Landmark Award
1st Source Bank; AEP, DC Cook Plant; Andrews University; Berrien Springs Public Schools; Chemical Bank; Child & Family Services of Southwest Michigan; Coloma Community Schools; Coloma Township Police Department; Competitive Edge; Gast Manufacturing, an Idex Corporation; Honor Credit Union; Indiana Michigan Power; Kinexus; Martin’s Super Markets, St. Joseph; Mid-West Family Broadcasting; Walsworth Publishing Company; and Whirlpool Corporation
Capstone Award
Ravitron and Wolverine Pipeline