Needs From: United Way of Southwest Michigan

Volunteers are needed to paint faces during the Classic Car Cruise at Martin’s in Stevensville, co-preseted by Martin’s and 1st Source Bank.

Before winter hits, raking your yard and cleaning out gutters is a vital step to ensuring spring snow melt does not cause water damage to your home or lawn. Many area seniors try to accomplish this work on their own, putting them at risk for falls and serious injury.
On Thursday, November 13th join hundreds of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren County volunteers who will give area seniors a helping hand! Gather your co-workers or friends and create a team to rake and bag leaves, and clean gutters for seniors as part of United Way’s 15th annual "Rake A Difference"

Did you know that 55.5% of seniors ages 65+ in Berrien County have households with incomes below the ALICE threshold? This day serves seniors, age 60 and older, who are physically incapable of performing yard work and are unable to pay for services.


Sign up for your geographic location or anywhere you are needed. Shifts available for all day or for half days.

ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST REGISTER by 10/17!

NOTE - volunteers must provide their own rakes (for raking) and ladders (for gutters). United Way of Southwest Michigan will provide leaf bags, gloves and tarps.



To learn more visit https://www.uwsm.org/rake-a-difference
Have questions? Email us at Volunteer@uwsm.org

Thank you for helping our seniors!


Quotes from previous Rake a Difference seniors:

Quotes from previous Rake a Difference volunteers:

Before winter hits, raking your yard and cleaning out gutters is a vital step to ensuring spring snow melt does not cause water damage to your home or lawn. Many area seniors try to accomplish this work on their own, putting them at risk for falls and serious injury.
On Thursday, November 13th join hundreds of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren County volunteers who will give area seniors a helping hand! Gather your co-workers or friends and create a team to rake and bag leaves, and clean gutters for seniors as part of United Way’s 15th annual "Rake A Difference"

Did you know that 51% of seniors ages 65+ in Cass County have households with incomes below the ALICE threshold? This day serves seniors, age 60 and older, who are physically incapable of performing yard work and are unable to pay for services.



Sign up for your geographic location or anywhere you are needed. Shifts available for all day or for half days.

ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST REGISTER by 10/17!

NOTE - volunteers must provide their own rakes (for raking) and ladders (for gutters). United Way of Southwest Michigan will provide leaf bags, gloves and tarps.



To learn more visit https://www.uwsm.org/rake-a-difference
Have questions? Email us at Volunteer@uwsm.org

Thank you for helping our seniors!


Quotes from previous Rake a Difference seniors:

Quotes from previous Rake a Difference volunteers:

Before winter hits, raking your yard and cleaning out gutters is a vital step to ensuring spring snow melt does not cause water damage to your home or lawn. Many area seniors try to accomplish this work on their own, putting them at risk for falls and serious injury.
On Thursday, November 13th join hundreds of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren County volunteers who will give area seniors a helping hand! Gather your co-workers or friends and create a team to rake and bag leaves, and clean gutters for seniors as part of United Way’s 15th annual "Rake A Difference"

Did you know that 47% of seniors ages 65+ in Van Buren County have households with incomes below the ALICE threshold? This day serves seniors, age 60 and older, who are physically incapable of performing yard work and are unable to pay for services.



Sign up for your geographic location or anywhere you are needed. Shifts available for all day or for half days.

ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST REGISTER by 10/17!

NOTE - volunteers must provide their own rakes (for raking) and ladders (for gutters). United Way of Southwest Michigan will provide leaf bags, gloves and tarps.



To learn more visit https://www.uwsm.org/rake-a-difference
Have questions? Email us at Volunteer@uwsm.org

Thank you for helping our seniors!


Quotes from previous Rake a Difference seniors:

Quotes from previous Rake a Difference volunteers:

In the unlikely case of an active shooter situation in a school in Van Buren county, volunteers are needed to help with reunification of student and parents/guardians.  This volunteer opportunity is an “on-call” opportunity, meaning that you will only be contacted for training purposes and in the case of an actual emergency event.  Volunteers will need to be background checked and will work with emergency and school personnel to assist in the reunification of parents/guardians with their students in a time of fear and chaos. 

Why? Patients and individuals in a variety of settings can sometimes feel scared, anxious or lonely.   Something as simple as a warm blanket can help provide them with care, comfort and warmth.    

Easy-to-make no-sew blankets are a great way to get your team involved in an always-needed service project.  Your group can purchase supplies on your own or United Way can organize a project for you.  Contact us for details. 

Basic Self-Care/Hygiene Package

Many local agencies field requests from a variety of individuals and families for help with basic items that enable them to stay a bit more healthy.   

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Self-Care/Hygiene Package

Sometimes individuals and families can use more than just the basic hygiene supplies. While still keeping cost in mind, this care package provides a little bit more to those in need.   

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Being a woman can be hard. Being a woman struggling financially is even harder. Menstrual products are expensive, and many women don’t have the funds to properly care for themselves. 

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Baby Care Package

The first few years of a little one’s life are exciting… and costly. Baby care packages help families with the costs associated with some basic baby needs.    

Did you know....
There are approximately 3,100 births annually in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
Diapers are not covered by WIC?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

New Mom Care Package

Having a new baby is hard…And it’s even harder for families that are struggling financially. This new mom care package provide a little bit of relief for parents during a time that should be joyful (and a tad bit sleep-deprived). There’s a little something for baby and a little something for the new mom, too. 

Did you know....
There are approximately 3,100 births annually in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
Diapers are not covered by WIC?

Supplies Needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Birthday Care Package 

Do you remember the excitement when your birthday approached?   It was a big day, right?  For many local families, birthdays bring disappointment instead of excitement.   The costs associated with things that so many of us take for granted…. A birthday cake and candles…..can be too expensive for many local families.   A birthday care package helps bring a bit more joy and celebration back to the occasion.    

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?
16.9% of children under the age of 18 are food insecure in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Children’s Overnight Care Package

Sometimes home isn’t safe and you need to go somewhere else in a hurry.  You don’t have time (or room) to pack everything you need.   A children’s overnight care package helps provide some necessities to boys and girls from newborn to age 18.  

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Cleaning Care Package

Imagine getting a new place to live…but not having the money to make sure it looks nice all the time. A package like the cleaning care package can help those who can’t afford some basic household necessities.  

Supplies Needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Emergency Car Care Package

Remember how you felt when you got your first car? Maybe it was brand new or maybe it was “a beater with a heater.” Either way, once you went on the road you ran the risk of experiencing an issue and potentially needing help. Having a kit of items to use in case of an emergency should be on every driver’s list of necessities. 

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box.

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Girl’s Athletic Care Package

Encouraging young girls to live healthier lives and take care of themselves is at the heart of several local organizations. The costs associated with leading active lifestyles are sometimes too much for some families. Care packages focused on providing girls with basic athletic wear will go a long way to help some of these young girls out.  

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Homeless Care Package

Help keep those experiencing homelessness warm and cared for with a package focused on some of their basic needs.   

Did you know....
More than 1,200 children experience homelessness OR don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each in an easy-to-carry waterproof cinch bag. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Food for the Homeless

Easy-to-access foods are incredibly needed for those experiencing homelessness. Providing them with snacks and proteins that don’t require tools to open is a huge help to them.  

Did you know....
More than 1,200 children experience homelessness OR don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
16.9% of children under the age of 18 are food insecure in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?

Supplies needed:

Assemble each in an easy-to-carry cinch bag. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Literacy Care Package

One of the first steps in helping children read is providing them with books and other tools. This literacy care package can help get them on the right track. 

Did you know....
60% of 3rd graders in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties are not reading proficiently?

Supplies Needed:

 Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Nature Care Package

Kids spend so much time on their electronic devices and are increasingly missing out on opportunities to enjoy the beauty around them. This care package encourages them to learn more about the amazing natural areas around us.  

Supplies Needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

New Home Care Package

Individuals and families who are transitioning into a new place that they can call their own often struggle with some of the basic furnishings that make that home “Home.” This care package includes items that every home needs. 

Supplies Needed:

Assemble each care package in a laundry basket. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Patient Care Package

Our neighbors who are battling conditions that may harm them often ask for small things to help them while undergoing treatment or care. Why not put together some patient care packages to help show a little love to those who could use some extra care?

Supplies Needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

We’re looking for volunteer translators who have language skills in English and Spanish to attend some of our signature events and/or assist in translating marketing materials and documents on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities may include:

United Way of SW Michigan has a few events and programs during which we could use some assistance taking and making phone calls.   In general, phone help is needed Sept - early Nov. and February - March.   

Volunteers should be friendly, courteous and have an ability to work with Google Forms and other technology.  

Typically, shifts might be 2 - 4 hours in length depending on the current project/event/program. 

Sensory Care Packages

Sensory packages provide mental, emotional, physical, and social benefits for children. They stimulate the brain, helping to create new neural pathways for processing, understanding, and reacting to sensory information.

Supplies needed:

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.