WARM YOUR HEART CAMPAIGN 2021
The Warm Your Heart Campaign runs from February 1st and through February 28th. The campaign raises funds for those in need in our community, including assistance toward utility bills to keep homes heated through the cold Michigan winters. For more about what the Warm Your Heart Campaign is, click HERE.
What is Warm Your Heart? Click Here.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
February 1st - Proclamation from the City of South Haven at 7 p.m. City Council Meeting.
February 13th - Bake Sale at the Living Room (520 Phoenix Street)
February 14th - Dine at Clementine's and a percentage of sales goes to We Care (500 Phoenix Street)
February 14th - 27th - 14-Day Challenge: Watch interviews with friends of We Care talk about their experiences with poverty in our community on Facebook. First hand accounts of the needs we face and how We Care can help.
February 27th - ISLAND SIT! 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Join us on the traffic island downtown to donate to the programs and ministries of We Care. Sponsored by Cosy FM, 103.7.
All Month:
- Donation Box at Taste Restaurant (402 Phoenix Street)
- Donation Box at Clementine's (500 Phoenix Street)
- Donation Box at Cafe Julia (561 Huron Street)
- Donation Box at Phoneix Street Cafe (523 Phoenix Street)
- Virtual Soup Luncheon at St. Basil Catholic Church (513 Monroe Blvd). Donate canned soup for the We Care food pantries or monetary donations in lieu of the traditional soup luncheon. Drop off at the church during regular mass times.
14-Day Challenge: What does We Care mean to you?
Join the supporters of We Care as they share why We Care is important to them. Then, take the challenge and let us know why We Care matters to you, too. You can let us know on Facebook, a comment on our website, or by making a donation (click HERE) or visit the DONATE tab above (please note "14-day Challenge" in the comments box). Have questions, or want to talk to a real person? Call us at 269-637-4342 - we'd love to hear your stories!
DAY 1: Teresa Getman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE_mWeUflm8 (2/15/2021)
DAY 2: Gail Patterson-Gladney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vlUZDfHQI (2/17/2021)
DAY 3: Alison Harrop - https://youtu.be/7gyiJMz2OjM (2/19/2021)
DAY 4: Sandy Jiminez - https://youtu.be/esZW78tKm9Y (2/22/2021)
DAY 5: Pastor Travis Wilson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY59l-VKkPM (2/24/2021)
DAY 6: Rosalie Plechaty (2/26/2021) - https://youtu.be/rqOqkhyCjeQ
BONUS: Team Ramageddon (2/26/2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtLP1q0RyNE&feature=youtu.be
DAY 7: Paul Layendecker (2/27/2021)
Other Participants:
About
What is the Warm Your Heart (WHY) Campaign?
In 2001, Father Jim from St. Basil Catholic Church approached We Care's Executive Director at , Linda Olsen and Paul Laydendecker from Cosy FM to help raise funds to provide heat in people's homes. That event became the annual Island Sit on the last Saturday of February.
20 years later, Warm Your Heart expanded to include events throughout the month of February. It also now includes raising funds for all our programs, as we have found that families who need heat, also need these other things, such as food, personal hygiene items, and holiday meals and gifts, etc.
Why Participate?
We Care meets over 10,000 needs in our community each year. As a non-profit, we are able to do this equitably so that every need is met. But we can’t do it without the support of the community and this fund-raiser, which provides for more than 85% of our utility assistance budget. The more people, business, churches, restaurants and groups that participate, the more utility bills we can help with – like heat in homes during the cold winter months.
Why is this necessary?
In order to help everyone who comes to our door, We Care relies on donations from individuals, businesses, churches and social organizations. We only receive 10% of our funding through grants. This allows us to be able to serve everyone.
What does We Care do?
Our staff and volunteers provide and create the necessary connections to resources that families and individuals need. We do this intensive work by coordinating services with assistance agencies, businesses, pantries and ministries throughout Michigan. We Care offers over 25 pantries, ministries and programs such as food, personal hygiene, baby items, clothing/housewares/furniture, transportation to medical appointments or work, ramps, medical equipment item loan, holiday meals and gifts, emergency assistance, housing resources, and more
Here are some ideas. However, if have your own ideas, please let us know - we're happy to help in anyway we can. However, we understand this has been a difficult past year for everyone. If you can't participate, we get it. No worries. Thank you for your support!
RESTAURANTS:
- Place the We Care logo next to a specific menu item. When someone orders that dish, a percentage goes to We Care.
- Create a special dish with the WYH name, where a percentage goes to We Care.
- Create a drink reflecting the WYH concept, and a percentage goes to We Care.
- Host a social distanced or virtual event. Have a collection or entry fee.
- Have an auction throughout the month of February.
- Host a curb-side potluck or to-go luncheon for a donation.Let your members know about the campaign.
- Have a soup luncheon for employees with an "entry fee" that goes to We Care.
- Host a WYH themed Spirit Week: Employees get to wear the "item of the day" for a donation
- Create a challenge with a goal to raise on behalf of your organization or club.
- Spread the word about WYH through e-mail, mail or word-of-mouth.
- Have a collection box for financial or physical donations.
- Tell your friends, family, co-workers, etc. about opportunities to donate.
Contact
For more information on ways to be involved, please contact us at the South Haven office.
06321 Blue Star Hwy.
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-4342 x 101
