HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Greater Ottawa County United Way has wrapped up it’s annual community campaign.
The LIVE UNITED Celebration event Thursday evening at Baker Lofts Event Center in Holland was attended by campaign companies, nonprofit community partners and volunteers. Awards were handed out throughout the evening.
Campaign Chairs P.J. and Kristen Thompson were on hand to announce that 92% of the multi-year $2.5 million campaign was reached, with the total amount given and pledged during the 2016-2017 campaign coming in at $2,278,640. P.J Thompson is President of Trans-Matic Manufacturing and his wife Kristen works an as independent contractor providing corporate relocation services. They thanked everyone who contributed to the campaign, volunteered or advocated and said it was a rewarding experience.
It was another great year for volunteerism in the community. Shannon LaHaie, Director of Volunteerism announced that a total of 8,778 volunteers gave 130,755 hours of their time for a total impact of more than $3 million in the community. Diane Ybarra of Global Concepts Enterprises was awarded 2017 Volunteer of the Year.
The Ottawa County Leadership Challenge exceeded it’s goal by more than $107,000 with $187,269 in match-eligible gifts.
The top two campaigns were run by Shape Corp. and Haworth, Inc. Together they raised nearly half a million dollars for the campaign.
United Way President Patrick Moran said United Way will continue to invest in the building blocks to a better life for the residents of Ottawa County: education, financial stability, health and meeting people’s basic needs.
