AnnArbor.com is tracking donations for United Way of Washtenaw Radiothon
FINAL DONATION UPDATE: 75% of goal achieved. AnnArbor.com tracked the United Way of Washtenaw County's radiothon donation progress on a donation thermometer, which was updated regularly throughout the Feb. 29 fund-raiser.
From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, the United Way of Washtenaw County is holding a radiothon to collect the final $100,000 of its annual fundraising goal.
AnnArbor.com is tracking the day's progress toward the goal on a donation thermometer, which will be updated regularly throughout the fundraiser.
Ways to donate:
- Donate online anytime at http://uwgive.org/, only online donations are eligible for the incentives.
- By phone at 734-971-8200
- Give $5 by texting UWGIVE to 85944
The UWWC is partnered with Cumulus Media for the all-day event, which will be broadcasted live on three stations in the Ann Arbor area — 107one, W4 Country 102.9 FM, and Sports Talk 1050 WTKA.
The UWWC’s goal is to raise $5.75 million this year, up from the $5.25 million it raised last year.
AnnArbor.com also is hosting a social media fundraising event for the United Way on Wednesday through our Facebook page and Twitter feed. That effort incentivizes donors by offering gifts such as a Brady Hoke autographed football and a Pavel Datsyuk signed jersey by being the top donor in a specified hour.
Check out a gallery of the incentive items here and learn where to follow AnnArbor.com on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about how to get these items.
James Corey, the UWWC campaign manager, said the agency helps one in four Washtenaw County residents with transportation means, childcare, hospice programs and early childhood development, among other programs and causes.
“With your small gift, combined with the gifts from others, we can provide hope and opportunity and make a difference in the lives of Washtenaw County citizens,” Corey said. “If we don’t reach our goal, it means there’s more people on the streets, more people going hungry and more people simply going without their basic needs.”
Anyone donating $25 or more during the event will receive a United Way T-shirt, which will be available at the UWWC Ann Arbor offices at 2305 Platt Road. Donors can pick up their T-shirt anytime after their contribution during office hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday while supplies last.
Check AnnArbor.com's Facebook page and Twitter feed to find out how to get donation incentives like a Brady Hoke autographed football.
Sandy Williams, development director for Perry Nursery School of Ann Arbor, said without the help from the UWWC, the school wouldn’t be able to fulfill its mission of helping families within the county.
“They’re our guardian angels,” Williams said. “The United Way is huge because not only do they help financially, they provide referrals and give awareness of the need to the community. They’re always there for us and are one of our biggest contributors.”
Perry Nursery School’s mission is to prepare at-risk preschool children for future academic and social success while supporting their parents, according to its website.
The UWWC is the third biggest contributor to Perry Nursery School and provides almost 10 percent of its budget, said Sandy Hilton, Perry executive director. She said they’ve been working with the UWWC since the 1950s.
“That’s the one thing that has been so wonderful. They’ve always been a steady and consistent supporter,” Hilton said. “Pretty much everything we have is from fundraising and grants. They’ve been a vital part for us.”