United Way & Volunteer Center’s
Camp Out Raises Much Needed Donations
November 11, 2003 - Greater Ottawa
County United Way & Volunteer Center’s Camp
Out for a Cause last Thursday and Friday at Westshore
Mall in Holland was successful, raising an estimated
$5,000 in food, clothing and monetary donations over
a 31-hour period. The donations will be given to programs
that help families and individuals in need of emergency
assistance with food, shelter, clothing and utilities.
“It was an eye opening experience for everyone
involved to bare the winter elements for that period
of time.” Says Cate Lindhout, Director of Communications,
United Way & Volunteer Center. “We only had
to sleep outside for one night. There are families and
individuals out there that have to sleep in their car
our outside every night.”
Agency officials say, though a good amount of food
was raised during the event, there is such a high demand
that the donations will be gone by Wednesday or Thursday
of this week. “Even though we had a successful
event, there is still an urgent need for programs to
be replenished with resources.” Says Lindhout.
“Now that the holidays are approaching, agencies
are running drives to collect goods, so agencies are
still looking for and greatly appreciating all the help
they can get.”
Delphi Automotive in Coopersville and UAW 2151 dropped
off a welcomed surprise for the campers. Delphi and
UAW 2151 gave a $1,000 cash donation that collected
from employees and matched by Delphi. A $500 donation
from Banquet Homestyle Bakes was among other generous
donations received during the event.
“The caring thoughts and generosity we saw from
community members during the event is heart warming.”
Says Lindhout. “We live in such a giving community.
We want to thank everyone who dropped off donations,
many families will be helped because of your generosity.”
To find out more about how you can help during the
holidays with food, toy and clothing drives, contact
United Way & Volunteer Center at 396-7811 or 842-7130.
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