Heart of West Michigan United Way

Meet Liz DeLaLuz, Vice President of Community Impact! Liz has been with United Way for 20 years, working closely with our agency partners in Ottawa and Allegan counties and being a long-time supporter of these communities. Liz states, “United Way is an organization that focuses on the community as a whole and not on just one specific issue. Working at United Way has helped make the community that my family lives in a better place to live, and that is what has impacted my life!” Liz has two adult children (Kyle and Kelsey) and one grandson (Ethan). She also has four adult bonus kids (Shay, Chyanne, Brittany and Christina) and three bonus grandchildren, 2 girls (Athena and Eziriah) and 1 boy (Xander). I have a shih tzu, Bella and a cat, Korra, although she really belongs to her daughter. She the youngest of seven children. and the first and only one to graduate from college. Go WMU Broncos. When not helping her community, you can find her supporting her two favorite teams, the Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings! She also loves spending time with my family, crocheting baby blankets, coloring, along with self-care, which is important!

Kellanova was founded more than 100 years ago with core values that guide the way they work with their business partners, within our communities, and with each other. Giving back is part of our DNA. Almost as long as we’ve been in business, they have been partnering with United Way, a key partner for their Better Days Promise, to help address sustainable and equitable access to food. Every year, they are proud to run United for #BetterDays, their annual giving campaign supported by their employees in the U.S. Through United Way, these donations fund local programming that benefits food banks, community feeding initiatives, and other efforts that provide basic needs. Stephanie Slingerland, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and Ben Schorr, Associate Director, Social Impact, recently visited Community Food Club. https://ow.ly/3Kbt50TRRjy

🌟 Huge Congratulations to Steelcase – One of United Way's Campaign of the Year recipients AND Campaign Coordinator of the Year! 🎉 This year, Steelcase took their commitment to the next level, setting a new standard for corporate partnership. Their upward trend in dollars raised and hours volunteered showcases the incredible impact they’re making in West Michigan. On our Day of Caring, more Steelcase employees got involved than ever before, spending their day working at nonprofits across the area—an inspiring demonstration of their dedication to public service. But they didn’t stop there! Steelcase also hosted their first annual Par for the Cause golf outing, which was a tremendous success. This fun and meaningful event pushed them beyond their annual campaign fundraising goal, ensuring that more people in Kent County receive the support they need. Coupled with their contributions to our Stuff the Bus and Stuff the Sled campaigns, Steelcase exemplifies what it means to take action in pursuit of helping the community. Steelcase is the embodiment of what it means to be an engaged and supportive corporate partner. Their continued involvement in our initiatives is fostering lasting change, and we are incredibly proud to recognize them for their outstanding efforts. We are also proud to recognize Tim Disler, Vice President of the Sales Excellence Network at Steelcase, as our 2023 Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year! Tim’s leadership, passion, and commitment to giving back have made an extraordinary impact on his team and our community. Coordinating United Way’s workplace campaign at Steelcase is no small task, but Tim fully embraced the challenge. With his leadership, the support of a dedicated committee, and a companywide culture that prioritizes philanthropy and volunteerism, Tim helped drive the partnership with United Way back to pre-pandemic benchmarks—a tremendous accomplishment! He led a successful campaign and increased volunteerism across the board, showcasing what can be achieved when passion and purpose come together. Thank you, Tim, for the time, energy, and heart you’ve poured into this partnership. You’ve left a lasting legacy that truly embodies the spirit of giving back. #CampaignOfTheYear #Steelcase #CommunityImpact #HWMUW #UnitedWay #LIVEUNITED #Volunteer #Philanthropy #MakeaDifference

Today is the day! United Way has refreshed its global brand and we couldn't be more excited to be a part of this incredible network. Join us in celebrating this important milestone and continue to support our efforts in creating positive change around the world. Together, we can make a real difference!

🎉 Celebrating Penny Bursma: United Way’s Campaign Coordinator of the Year! 🎉 We are thrilled to honor Penny Bursma as one of our Campaign Coordinators of the Year! With over 20 years of dedication to supporting United Way through her role at Perrigo Company plc Penny has been an unwavering champion of our mission. Her passion for community service shines through in everything she does, ensuring that all team members are not only well-informed but truly inspired to give back to their community. Penny goes above and beyond by creating clear and engaging communication for all Perrigo locations, making it easy for colleagues to participate in giving back. She also plays a crucial role in encouraging participation in Perrigo's $1 for $1 employee giving match, amplifying the impact of Thank you, Penny, for your unwavering dedication and the tremendous heart you bring to United Way! Join us in celebrating Penny Bursma and her remarkable contributions! 🎊 #UnitedWay #Thankyou #CommunityImpact #Perrigo #CelebratingChampions #HWMUW

We're Hiring! Accounting Specialist As an Accounting Specialist at Heart of West MI United Way, you will play a vital role in our financial operations by processing invoices for payment, initially focusing on one entity but evolving to handle additional entities over time. Your keen attention to detail will ensure that payments received are reviewed meticulously and accurately applied to the corresponding customer or donor accounts. You will also be responsible for entering new pledges into our donor database system, Andar, streamlining our financial processes and enhancing donor engagement. ENTF Administrative Coordinator As the Part-Time Administrative Coordinator for the Kent County Essential Needs Task Force, your role will be both diverse and fulfilling. You'll attend and capture minutes for important meetings, ensuring accurate records are maintained. Your organizational prowess will shine as you schedule meetings and manage virtual and hybrid gatherings, facilitating seamless collaboration. Additionally, you'll utilize tools like Mailchimp to send a variety of communications, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed. Creating engaging slides and other meeting documents will be part of your repertoire, showcasing your creativity and attention to detail. For more information on the positions and to apply, visit https://lnkd.in/eZSmhweX

A huge thank you to Perrigo Company plc and Mediation Services for going above and beyond by extending our Week of Caring into a Month of Caring! It was incredible to see teams out in Allegan and Ottawa Counties this week completing projects. Special thanks to the agencies for hosting us. #CaringCommunity #MakingADifference 🌟👏

We are excited to celebrate Kris Bettisworth, a recent retiree of Grand Haven Area Public Schools, the well-deserved recipient of Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Advocate of the Year award! Kris’s energy and passion for our mission are truly unmatched, and she never misses an opportunity to lead the charge for change in our community. Whether it’s adding excitement and fun to her campaign events—just watch the video from this year’s kickoff!—or rolling up her sleeves to get involved, Kris always finds a way to inspire those around her. Her leadership and dedication shine through in everything she does, and she continually goes above and beyond to make a difference. 🙌 Kris, thank you for your incredible support, your heart for service, and your unwavering commitment to showing up for the community. You exemplify what it means to be a true advocate for change, and we are beyond grateful to have you as a partner in our mission. Please join us in congratulating Kris on this well-deserved recognition! 👏💙 #Congrats #AdvocateOfTheYear #UnitedWay #CommunityChampion #MakingADifference #ThankYou #HWMUW

🎉 We are incredibly proud to celebrate Nate Phillips as this year's recipient of Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Advocate of the Year award! 🎉 Nate’s commitment to serving the community has been nothing short of inspiring, and we are fortunate to have him as a leader in our mission to improve lives across West Michigan. He played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our Stuff the Sled collection drive, going above and beyond to guarantee that holiday cheer reached the hands of local children just in time. His tireless efforts, from mobilizing volunteer delivery drivers to coordinating logistics, made an incredible difference, ensuring that no child was left without the joy and excitement that every holiday season should bring. In addition to his leadership in Stuff the Sled and his support of Operation United, Nate has consistently been a champion for our local unions, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions are felt. Whether it’s advocating for United Way’s mission or leading by example at volunteer events, Nate shows up with enthusiasm, heart, and a deep sense of responsibility to those in need. His passion for service extends beyond the workday—he’s always the first to roll up his sleeves and join hands with the community, making him an indispensable part of our efforts. We are especially grateful for Nate’s leadership on our Campaign Cabinet and now our Board of Directors, where he has used his voice to advocate for stronger partnerships and deeper community engagement. His advocacy with our partners has been instrumental in driving forward initiatives that create long-term, sustainable change in our region. Thank you, Nate, for your unwavering dedication to Heart of West Michigan United Way and the community we serve. Your leadership inspires us all to do more, give more, and show up for our community. Please join us in celebrating Nate and this incredible achievement! #Congrats #HWMUW #AdvocateOfTheYear #CommunityChampion #UnitedWay #Community

Community Connect Tour - October 23, 4- 6 p.m. Join us on a dynamic tour of three local agencies transforming the landscape of Youth Education in our community. This tour is designed to give you a deeper understanding of how United Way’s partner agencies address pressing educational needs and create opportunities for youth. We will visit: Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids New City Kids STEM Greenhouse Visit our website for additional information and to register. Space is limited! https://ow.ly/o6al50TEcWE