Kellogg Community College hopes to retain its place among the top regional contributors to the United Way by asking employees to support the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region in their 2012 campaign.
KCC employees have participated in the United Way campaign for more than 25 years. In 2011, employees at the college collectively donated more than $16,000, eclipsing their goal of $14,500 for the campaign and ranking among the top 25 contributors in the Battle Creek area.
Tammy Douglas, director of Learning Technologies at KCC and a co-chair of KCC’s United Way campaign, said the United Way’s mission focuses on three pillars of giving, including funding initiatives centered on education, income and health.
The education piece affects many students at the college, Douglas said, and even KCC employees have been recipients of United Way funds in the past.
“It’s very important being one of the top 25 donors that we continue to help support and have an active role in our community,” Douglas said. “We want to help students learn, but we also want to help them be successful in other aspects of their lives, as well.”
Money raised for the United Way is used for everything from supporting literacy for children to enabling older students and adults to attend college. Funds also help provide individuals with things like access to health care and job search and transportation assistance.
Tim Hurtt, chief of police at KCC and another co-chair of KCC’s United Way campaign, said the college is proud of its role assisting the United Way in their mission to help the community.
“Our employees’ donations enable the United Way to continue providing services that help those in our community attain a quality of life they might otherwise not be afforded,” he said.