WARM YOUR HEART CAMPAIGN 2021
The Warm Your Heart Campaign begins on February 1st and runs 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.
This is the 20th Anniversary of Warm Your Heart and we are excited to bring a brand-new format. This is a fun way to raises funds for a good cause. If you and/or your business, restaurant, church, social group or organization would like to participate by hosting an opportunity, please let us know by e-mailing Erika at erika@wecare-inc.org. Click HERE for ideas.
Island Sit - Saturday, February 27
MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!
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
