Join United Way of Northwest Michigan in supporting teachers in its five-county region.

United Way of Northwest Michigan invites community members in its five-county region (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau) to donate school supplies for third-grade teachers in its “Third is the Word” campaign, as part of the weeklong Day of Caring event.

School teachers often find themselves paying out of pocket to furnish their classrooms with necessary items for the school year, such as pencils, erasers and notebooks. Across Michigan, third grade has been identified as the year that students need to be literate. Literacy is one of the key factors in determining future success in school and determines future job placement and income. United Way of Northwest Michigan is committed to education and literacy in our communities, to ensure a better quality of life. According to United Way Worldwide, “Kids who read proficiently by third grade are more likely to graduate high school. Yet, only 36% of fourth-grade students in the United States are proficient (or better) in reading according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.”

As a weeklong partnership with United Parcel Service, United Way of Northwest Michigan will be accepting donations September 10–18, in the parking lot of the Chamber of Commerce Building (202 E. Grandview Parkway) in Traverse City.

A UPS truck will be staffed by UPS volunteers to receive donations from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and on the kickoff day, September 10, from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. The truck will not be open on Sunday. Donations can also be mailed to the United Way of Northwest Michigan office (located at the Chamber of Commerce building). 

Learn more about the “Third is the Word” event, including items needed for donation.