100 Years of Making a Difference
We kicked off our second century on October 19, 2019 at the 100th Anniversary Gala.
#1 Billboard Charting International and Independent Recording Artist Phil Denny and renowned Lansing-based pianist John Dale Smith helped launch us into the next century with a strolling dinner featuring culinary delights from area restaurants. Attendees enjoyed good food, good music and learned about the history of United Way through exhibits and informational tidbits. Thank you to everyone to attended and share in our celebration of being a part of this community for 100 years. Be sure to check out the event photos on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/micauw/.
Phil Denny John Dale Smith
Capital Area United Way is celebrating 100 years of serving our community
One hundred years ago, Ray Potter, W. H. Prudden, Frank N. Arbaugh, C.E. Bement, Donald E. Bates, and Charles W. Nichols were appointed trustees of what would become Capital Area United Way. They held the very first community-wide campaign to take care of our local community. In 1919, the Community Welfare Fund brought together the first seven agencies having met the preliminary requirements set forth by the Committee of Organizations.
“The Community idea emphasizes all the interests of all the people in any community. It permits an allied attack on all the conditions and at the same time gives every citizen an opportunity to know of all the social work being done in the community as whole and not as conducted by isolated competitive groups. The community idea, I believe, is infinitely bigger than the sum-total of each agency conducted separately.” Glenn N. Murchey, chairman of the Committee of Organizations, Community Welfare Fund
While our role in the community has changed throughout the years, we continue to bring together the resources of thousands of people and organizations to make a difference for local people in need. A lot has happened at United Way and in our community over the past 100 years.