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Barry County United Way kickoff of the 2016 with the theme, “I Live United, Do You?” was a rousing event, with information about what a donation, even the cost of a cup of coffee a week, or a night out once a month, can do to help Barry County residents to a better quality of life.
“It doesn’t take a lot,” BCUW Executive Director Lani Forbes said. “We need to do it together, it takes a little from all of us.” This year’s goal is $600,000, which will equal last year’s efforts, which resulted in 79,609 requests through 36 programs. The goal set for businesses and corporations that have completed their campaign drives was $100,000. Forbes announced the goal was met and surpassed, realizing $102,325.
A centerpiece of the event was a stirring four-part performance of “Home of the Brave” by the Hastings High School Marching Band led by Director Spencer White. The prayer was delivered by Pastor Mark Payne; guest speaker was Wes Vanderwilk, a Thornapple Parks & Recreation volunteer. Immediately after the kickoff Sept. 15, hundreds of volunteers fanned out in the county for the
Day of Caring, assigned to work on a wide variety of community improvement projects.
Photo (top left) Guest speaker at the BCUW kickoff was Wes Vanderwilk, volunteer with the Thornapple Area Parks & Recreation Authority.
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Replacing the grout at the entrance of the Lakeview Cemetery mausoleum in Nashville are volunteers (from left) Mike Lake, David Blair and Sally Ledbetter.
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Day of Caring volunteer Neil Wendorf mans the power sprayer cleaning the approach to the Lakeview Cemetery mausoleum while fellow volunteers, Paul DunKlee scrubs with a brush and Brian Gordon supervises.
The Hastings High School Marching Band puts on an awesome performance of its four-part presentation of “Home of the Brave” at the United Way Campaign Kickoff.
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A line of drummers facing the crowd at the BCUW Kickoff set a rousing tempo for the Hastings High School Marching Band’s performance.
