HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Greater Ottawa County United Way has kicked off it’s 2016-2017 Community Campaign.
At an appreciation lunch Wednesday, September 14, Campaign Chairs P.J. and Kristen Thompson announced the campaign goal of $2.5 million dollars. “Kristen and I are hoping we can bring energy to the campaign. I’m from West Michigan and Kristen’s family has been here for a couple of decades and we feel like we know the community very well. We’re hoping to rekindle a lot of friendships as we gEt our fellow companies working on the campaign.
P.J Thompson is President of Trans-Matic Manufacturing and his wife Kristen works an as independent contractor providing corporate relocation services.
As an incentive to attract new givers to the campaign, campaign sponsors are once again offering a “Two Tickets to Paradise” campaign drawing. Anyone who pledges $1 per week for the first time or increases their pledge by $1 a week will be entered into a drawing to win a trip for two to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico.
United Way of Ottawa Counties President Patrick Moran says those who donate $500 or more in any campaign year are a powerful force for positive change in our community. Last year they donated more than 60 percent of the dollars donated by individuals.
A group of (so far) seven generous donors from throughout Ottawa County has offered multi-year commitments totaling $26,500 per year to the new Ottawa County Leadership Challenge, which will match dollar for dollar all new leadership gifts from anyone who participates in the community campaign up to that total. Donors who gave at the leadership level last year can also leverage their gift by increasing it – and the amount of the increase will be matched.
Moran also said they will be embracing millennials with different ways to attract donations as a new generation learns about the many ways United Way of Greater Ottawa County continues their vision and programs to help those in the community.




