Technology/Services

United Way Pumping Up 2009 Community Needs Campaign

Local celebrities lend "old-fashioned" hand to Jackson County, Mich, event
JACKSON, Mich. -- The United Way of Jackson County, Mich., kicked off its $2 million Community Needs Campaign this year by hosting a Celebrity Pump event on September 10. Local community celebrities transformed gas stations into old-fashioned full-service stations by pumping gasoline, cleaning windows and collecting money.

Celebrities pumped gasoline this year at five area Mobil, Shell and Sam's Club stations. The event is sponsored in part by Kelly Fuels, Sam's Club and Shell Oil Co. Celebrities included Jackson Mayor Jerry Ludwig.

"This is a fun event that brings [image-nocss] awareness to the campaign," said Dea Talmage, Resource Development Associate for United Way, and chair for the event. "We will have nearly 100 volunteers from local media, schools, businesses, government, churches and community organizations. They'll be out pumping gas, wiping windshields and having fun serving their friends, neighbors and co-workers."

There was no additional charge for having one of the local volunteer celebrities pump the gasoline. Celebrities collected tips or cash donations, which will go toward local United Way programs in Jackson County.

The United Way of Jackson County is in its 75th year of serving the local community. It supports more than 50 different programs and initiatives that help thousands of Jackson County residents improve their lives. It is locally owned and governed by a volunteer board of directors, chaired by Joe Lathrop, first vice president of Flagstar Bank.

The United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the United States. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas.

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