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Local News

United Bank's "Blanket the Community" drive nets 1,200 new blankets

"Forty percent of Michigan families struggle to afford the basic needs of housing, including energy for heat. There are many in our community who struggle to stay warm.  From young children to senior citizens, the need is real," according to a United Bank news release.

That’s why United Bank held its second blanket drive this year, taking donations of new blankets to distribute in each local bank’s area, Chief Marketing Officer for United Bank Connie Hook said.

 

United Bank’s 12 branches in five counties all participated.  The collected blankets were delivered to fire departments, veteran’s facilities and homeless shelters that deal with families with children, such as Family Promise in Grand Rapids.

 

“It’s a real solution for someone in need. In reality, it’s so much more than a blanket. It’s a way to remind our neighbors they are not alone and we care about them. It’s warm hearts making a real difference,” Hook said.

 

Last year, 550 blankets were donated during the first drive. This year they met their goal of doubling the number, collecting 1,200, she said.

Everyone was excited about the large undertaking. “It was all hands on deck. They all helped; it’s really wonderful the way the communities came together.”

 

The Gun Lake branch on Patterson Road donated a dozen blankets to the Wayland Yankee Springs Fire Department. “We appreciate the blankets,” Deputy Chief Dan Miller said. “We can bundle them up before the ambulance gets to the scene; we’ll put them in all of our units.”

 

Donors who preferred to shop online sent the gift of a blanket from Amazon, which sent the blankets to Family Promise, a non-profit that partners with families with children who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, by helping them get back on their feet so they can create a stable lifestyle for their children. Their donations went to several surrounding counties.

 

United Bank will “absolutely” hold a third drive next year, Hook said.

 

 

 

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