You’re a Local Hero!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

Generously sponsored by

You’re a Local Hero!

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To all volunteers, committee

members and chairpersons...

for being a community hero.

You make our community a

better place for everyone.

Thank You for Living United.

THANK YOU

For sponsoring tonight’s event!

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TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

Welcome……………………………………………..……...Ann Emmerich

WILX TV 10

Dinner

Program

2017 United Way Highlights……………………..….Bob McConnell

Volunteerism Presentation…………………….…………Traci Ruiz &

Darin Southworth

Volunteer Recognition….………Paula VanDam & Renee Brown

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Adult Volunteer of the Year

Lifetime Volunteer of the Year

Innovator Volunteer of the Year

Business Volunteerism Award

Walter A. Campbell Award …………………..….....Keith Williams &

Bob McConnell

Closing……………………………………………………..….Ann Emmerich

Use hashtag #cauwhero for social media

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2017-2018 Board of Directors

Officers Chairperson - Dr. L. Robert McConnell, Retired, Western Michigan University

Vice Chairperson - Jerry K. Swartz, Retired, Educator Secretary - Tom Stewart, Common Wealth Enterprises

Treasurer - Jamie Rabe, Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC

At Large Members Debra J. Bittner, Clerical Technical Union of MSU

John Roy Castillo, Attorney At Law Sam D. Clark, Clark Construction

Jan Day, Jan Day & Associates Erik Decker, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tiffany Dowling, M3 Group Myron S. Freeman, Freeman Consulting Group

Randy Freeman, UAW Local 652 Venceslaus G. Gore, Michigan State University

Cheryl Graham, Rapaport, Pollok, Farrell & Waldron, P.C. Joshua L. Hovey, Truscott Rossman

Paula Kaiser VanDam, Michigan Department of Human Services Chris Keck, UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 333

Scott G. Keith, Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority Dr. Linda Logan, Olivet College

Dorothy E. Maxwell, Max Weingar Group Janene McIntyre, Community Volunteer

Dru Mitchell, Clinton County Economic Alliance John R. Miller, General Motors

Tim Mossner, CPA, Emergent BioDefense Operations Patricia K. Munshaw, Community Volunteer

Mark Nixon, Nixon Communications Jim Paul, PNC Bank

Rebecca Poynter, Lansing State Journal Marcos Purty, General Motors

Willard C. Reed, UAW Local 602 Kylie Rogers-Strahan, Blohm Creative Partners

James Schumacher, Auto-Owners Insurance Company Leah Ann Sherer, Junior League of Lansing

Lucianna Solis, Language Services & Diversity Consultant Ralph Sovran, Independent Bank

Teresa Szymanski, Lansing School District Keith A. Williams, Pondera Advisors, LLC Kristine Zayko, Michigan State University

This list reflects all individuals who held a board member position during the fiscal year.

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United Way’s Local Goals CAUW is excited to announce a new strategy for investing donor dollars to

make even more impact in the areas of health, education and financial

stability. This new approach will focus on strengthening “coordination and

collaboration” among local nonprofits and work to solve our community’s

pressing issues, not just continue funding the same issues.

1. Health Supporting programs that provide access

to healthcare, basic needs and short-term emergency assistance.

2. Education Supporting programs that improve high school graduation rates through

school readiness, student retention, early childhood education, tutoring,

mentoring, after-school and out-of-school academic resources and

parenting programs.

3. Financial Stability Supporting programs that build family stability through financial

literacy, education and money-management programs.

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Youth Volunteer of the Year 2017 Nominees

Erykah Benson – Student Greenhouse Project

Erykah Benson is a MSU freshman studying Global and International

Studies and pursuing a minor in Environmental Science and

Sustainability. She is an Honors College member and a Social Science

Scholar. Erykah does extensive volunteer work, dedicating her summer

to the Detroit-based organization Summer in the City. She has worked for

her church for more than two years, helping to increase engagement in

the congregation through social media. Erykah is currently a volunteer

Spanish instructor for elementary students for the Center for Language

Teaching Advancement as well as being Outreach Director for the

Student Greenhouse Project. For the Student Greenhouse Project, she

has started a biweekly newsletter, manages the Facebook and social

media, and has designed strategically targeted recruitment posters to

engage specific students from disciplines whose skills are needed right

now. She also is one of the lead coordinators in our promotional video

development team. Her energetic contribution to assisting others in so

many different organizations sets her apart as an exemplary young

person who has already made a difference.

Angel Campbell – Sparrow Hospital

Angel has been a teen volunteer for Sparrow Hospital since September

2014. In November 2017, she was nominated by the Pediatric

Department and received the Sparrow Volunteer of the Month Award.

Angel is extremely deserving for her dedication, attendance and her hard

work. Angel’s presence in the Pediatric Department gives the team one

more person that can help provide the best care possible to patients and

their families. She possesses all of the qualities that we look for in a

teen volunteer and will be missed when she graduates.

Rebekah Yeary – SIREN/Eaton Shelter

Rebekah is kind, patient, trustworthy and dependable during her child-

care duties. She is willing to do anything asked; chasing a 2-year old

around for an hour or helping a 14-year old with homework, sometimes

doing both at the same time. She’s always there when needed. If she

can’t make it for a week she always calls as soon as possible so different

arrangements can be made. Her loyalty and dependability to both SIREN

and to the kids that she watches are very much appreciated.

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Adult Volunteer of the Year 2017 Nominees

Jean Anderson – Habitat for Humanity

For more than 12 years, Jean has volunteered every Wednesday at

Habitat for Humanity, rain or shine. Her positive attitude is contagious

and her steadfastness is an example for everyone - including staff and

other volunteers. Jean has been a constant presence in the Habitat

office for longer than anyone on the current staff. Her experience with

Habitat and the range of roles she has played enables her to be a

resource for new volunteers, who often look to her for direction. Jean

builds lasting relationships with staff, customers and other volunteers.

It is rare to find someone who truly embraces volunteerism with as

much enthusiasm and joy as Jean, and her positive attitude and self-

less dedication lifts spirits.

Kathy Bowen – SIREN/Eaton Shelter

Kathy has been an avid supporter of SIREN/Eaton Shelter for more

than five years as a volunteer and spokesperson. Kathy promotes

SIREN through her employment at GM by collecting donations,

organizing fundraisers and always finding new ways to raise money.

Kathy is the primary coordinator of SIREN’s annual golf tournament

and has for the last few years raised more than $10,000. She solicits

sponsorships, golfers, and donations of items for awards and auctions.

Even in her own time when traveling, she solicits golfing packages

from various golf courses. It is through her time and resources that

SIREN has been successful.

Patrice Burns – The Davies Project for Mid-Michigan Children

Patrice is one of the most active volunteer drivers at The Davies Pro-

ject (TOP). She drives several children per week to their medical care

appointments and regularly goes above and beyond her driving duties

by providing families with extra support, like school supplies, clothing

and occasional meals…whatever they need on a given day. She has

even been known to take torn clothing home with her, repair it with her

sewing skills and return it the next day. Patrice completely personifies

The Davies Project’s tagline: MORE THAN JUST A RIDE. No matter the

unforeseen challenges she encounters when volunteering, Patrice

faces everything with a smile and a can-do attitude. Patrice’s is

perhaps best known for her often-used motto, “FAMILY FIRST.”

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Sherry Dunn – St. Vincent Catholic Charities Children’s Home

Sherry has volunteered with St. Vincent’s since 2015. In that time, she

has gone above and beyond what is typically expected of a Children’s

Home volunteer. Sherry began attending the weekly book clubs for teen

girls another for younger children. Sherry then started a monthly arts and

crafts group with our teen population. Feeling as though she had more

to offer, she became a member of our mentor program, where she has

already been paired with two teenage girls. Sherry has used the time to

teach them valuable skills in becoming an adult and how to be

independent members of society.

Betty Noverr – Capital Area Literacy Coalition

Betty Noverr is a literacy volunteer and spends countless hours of work

in many areas. She makes contact with her student and learns how to

best help and develop specific strategies for them. Betty assembles

materials and creates lessons that teach the various skills she attempts

to nourish; listening and reading comprehension, vocabulary enrichment

and the ability to write clearly and effectively. Betty helps students work

on clear and understandable oral expression, the mastery of increasingly

difficult sentence structures and an understanding of American culture

and idioms. Betty has mastered the great complexity that goes into being

an effective and dedicated volunteer tutor.

Karren & Mike Reish – Hospice of Lansing

Karren and Mike Reish give of their time and energy to Hospice of

Lansing patients and their families at the Stoneleigh Residence. Their

goal is to always improve a family’s experience at the end of life of a

loved one through Hospice of Lansing. This couple has chosen to spend

their valuable and heartfelt time assisting with recycling, visiting patients

and lending staff a hand during special events. They truly embody the

spirit of this volunteer award.

Martha Richard – SIREN/Eaton Shelter

Martha is deserving of this nomination because of her selfless

contribution of knowledge, time, energy, monetary donations and overall

support for SIREN. She is passionate about the mission of serving

domestic violence victims and those who are homeless. Martha’s time

and expertise as a board member is critical to the shelter’s ability to

serve those in such great need. Additionally, Martha has devoted an

invaluable amount of time the past several months by serving as interim

director and by assisting the finance department. Her dedication do the

success of SIREN is boundless.

2017 Adult Volunteer of the Year Nominees (Cont.)

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Samuel Riley – Allen Neighborhood Center

Volunteering at Allen Neighborhood Center isn’t the only thing that

makes Sam an exceptional candidate for Volunteer of the Year. He

brings smiles, laughter and happiness to the office, youth program and

farmers market. Whether he’s hanging up signs outside in zero degree

weather or packing up tents and tables after the farmers market, Sam

can always be counted on. Sam also is deserving because of his

passion, time and commitment to making a difference in Lansing and

at Allen Neighborhood Center. He fills in the gap wherever help is need-

ed and he can always be counted on. He displays excellent leadership

for youth in the Youth Service Corps and during the farmers market. He

is a role model to all, expressing the importance of volunteering by

serving with a smile and a willingness to assist without hesitation.

Judy Somerville – The Salvation Army Capital Area Lansing

Judy has dedicated five-plus hours a week in our food pantry since she

began in 2014. She engages positively with each client and employee

with which she interacts. The Salvation Army pantry is a “Pantry of

Choice,” which means people pick out their own food from different

categories. Judy will go out of her way to explain recipes from

combinations of the items available. She also volunteers to go check

for items she believes might be in stock elsewhere but not on the

shelves. Judy is someone that has an impact on everyone she serves.

People ask for her when she is not around and are disappointed when

she is not there! Her joy is contagious and her commitment to others is

noticeable to all. Her warm and gentle spirit is a gift of encouragement

to recipients and staff alike.

Gina Spencer – Sparrow Hospital

When Gina starts or joins a volunteer project, she looks at the project

in the whole. She does not cut corners or skip steps to achieve results

faster. She plans, executes and evaluates a new program to make sure

the program works smoothly and creates lasting results that will be

able to stand the test of time. Gina's service impacts each person she

comes in contact with at Sparrow Hospital. At Sparrow Women's Board

of Managers meetings she offers thoughtful ideas that positively im-

pact the hospital. Following the meetings she carries out those ideas

and joins in, when needed, on sub committees. All of the meetings for

the boards and committees that Gina participates on are time consum-

ing! She attends each and every meeting. Her consistent dedication

helps to make sure that everything she is a part of is a success. Gina

selflessly gives her time and heart to the patients, families,

staff, and volunteers at Sparrow Hospital.


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Sandra Stevens – Elder Law of Michigan, Inc.

Sandi is a very hard working and devoted volunteer at Elder Law of

Michigan, Inc. She helps out in any way that she possibly can. She

helps with monthly outreach mailings across the state of Michigan and

makes sure that there are enough materials for our outreach events.

No matter what Sandi is tasked with, she always has a smile on her

face and is eager to help. She is a valued member of the team at Elder

Law of Michigan, and we consider ourselves very lucky to have her.

Shelly Zamora – CASA for Kids, Eaton, Ingham & Barry County

Shelly Zamora has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Eaton

County for almost 6 years and was recently sworn in as a volunteer in

Ingham County as well. She has served 15 Eaton County children on 9

open abuse/neglect cases. She has committed to visiting these chil-

dren weekly throughout the duration of their open court case which

can sometimes last 12-18 months. She has been a consistent advo-

cate for children in a system with high caseworker and service provider

turnover. Sandi works to contact service providers, medical care pro-

fessionals, teachers, mental health therapists, caseworkers and care-

givers to assess what needs the child may have. Shelly is a highly val-

ued member of the CASA For Kids organization and is a complete joy to

work with. She has been a vital part of training new volunteers as she

frequently comes in and speaks to groups of new volunteers in train-

ing. Many have befriended her and view her as a mentor. Shelly was

an instrumental part of initiating a secondary trauma support group for

CASA Volunteers in Eaton and Ingham counties. She is a faithful at-

tender of the support group and is always willing to give feedback and

advice based on her extensive experience working with CASA. Shelly is

a joy to supervise and an excellent communicator. CASA is truly grate-

ful to have such a dedicated volunteer who embodies our mission. to

fill any void.


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Barbara Emmons

Barb has been a volunteer in the Lansing area for more than 28 years.

She has volunteered for several organizations including Meals-On-

Wheels, The Kitten Nursery and Make-A-Wish Michigan. Barb also has

been on the Lansing Community College Scholarship Board for the past

12 years. Her love for children and the community makes her one of the

best volunteers anywhere. Since 1990, Barb has been working with chil-

dren with life threatening medical conditions to enhance their “wishes”

and make their dreams come true. Throughout her volunteer career she

has touched hundreds of lives, more than 200 of them were “wish kids”

and their families. Her compassion and love for people and animals,

especially cats, is unparalleled. She has been a joy for children, seniors,

college students and animals of all ages! Her dedication, innovation and

joy of giving has been an inspiration as well as a blessing to all that

have known her work.

Brenda Martinez

Brenda has dedicated her entire adult life to the service of others. She

has made a difference in individual lives by being a foster and adoptive

parent. She impacts children going into foster placement through her

volunteerism at The Foster Closet. Brenda acts as the parent group

facilitator for Work of Heart and she has enhanced children’s dental

health while at Head Start. In retirement, Brenda paints fluoride onto

children’s and adult’s teeth at the annual Project Connect Event.

Brenda has helped facilitate the translation of Great Start materials into

Spanish to better serve the migrant/farm worker population and the

Hispanic community in the county. Brenda has had a lasting effect on

both individuals and the community as a whole. She truly embodies

the “spirit of volunteerism and giving.” Ever since her retirement, her

volunteer hours have increased to the point where it is Brenda’s full

time job!

Lifetime Volunteer of the Year Nominees

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Jenny Thurber – Davenport University Lansing Campus

Everyone who knows Jenny knows how much she gives back to her

community. She is well known for volunteering through her job and out-

side of work, her community involvement and engagement, serving as a

positive role model for others and encouraging and inspiring others to give

of their time, funding, acts of kindness and in other ways are all part of

Jenny’s personal and professional life. The most unique thing about Jenny

is her ability to inspire and teach others to volunteer their time and give

back to others. She has been an inspiration to many personally and

professionally. Jenny truly makes a difference with her positive attitude

and energy and by showing compassion and kindness to all. She is an

inspiration and it is an honor to work with her each and every day.

Missey Trudell – Child and Family Charities

Missey is truly an unsung hero. She is humble, creative and ambitious.

If she is not actually leading a committee, creating marketing materials

for nonprofit agencies, helping paint, cleaning up a vegetable garden or

organizing a donation drive, she is advocating for children, youth and

families in the community who are in most need. Through her

willingness to share herself with others, Missey has brought people to

a deeper understanding of how they also can improve the lives of the

underserved. Through various outreach efforts, Missey has instilled

the spirit of generosity in the hearts of many and is truly the voice of the

vulnerable. Missey is the definition of Volunteer of the Year.

Marcus Turner, Members Men’s Ministry of the Tabernacle of David

Church – Averill Elementary School

Marcus is the chairperson of the Men’s Ministry of Tabernacle of David

Church. He leads an incredible group of men who have been volunteering

in this great effort at Averill Elementary for many years, including: Mr.

Thad Wills, Mr. Scott Baker, Mr. Mark Parker, Mr. Lester Norris, Mr. Jon

Ferguson, Mr. Kurt D. Fast Jr., Mr. Gregory McKay, Mr. Carmichael Gulley,

Mr. Monte Erby and Pastor Chidike Chidia. These men go directly to Averill

Elementary each Thursday and eat lunch with 11 1st through 3rd grade (7-

9 years old) African American boys during their weekly Cub Scout meet-

ings. Some of these men have become “lunch buddies” with some of the

most vulnerable of these young men. On a weekly basis, the men come

into the school with lunch, eat with the students and review any academic

or behavioral challenges the boys may have faced during the previous

week. The men are in contact with the teachers and will even do a home

visit when necessary. These relationships and bonds could last a lifetime

and their efforts and wisdom will certain change these boys forever.

Volunteer Innovator of the Year Nominees

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Business Volunteer Service Nominees

Jackson National Life Insurance Company

sets the standard for what social

responsibility looks like. The company is

dedicated to helping communities thrive

and grow. Their Corporate Social Responsibility team is just one

example of how Jackson National takes seriously the task of partnering

with local nonprofits to help them succeed and extend their reach to

underserved populations. Because Jackson National encourages its

employees to volunteer and even offers training for how to better serve

on nonprofit boards, they have impacted hundreds of children, youth

and families in the greater Lansing area. Their example of fostering a

culture of generosity of giving time, energy and self that has influenced

other companies and people to do more and be more in the community.

PNC is a Main Street bank committed

to corporate social responsibility. This

philosophy shapes every decision that

impacts their customers, communities, employees and shareholders.

PNC encourages involvement in its signature philanthropic program,

PNC Grow Up Great. This progressive internal staffing policy allows

employees to volunteer up to 40 hours annually with paid time off. PNC

sets a perfect example of how the company backs up their philosophy

by giving employees the time and resources needed to live it out for the

betterment of the entire community and its individual residents.

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Walter A. Campbell Award For Outstanding Volunteerism

Capital Area United Way is pleased to

announce this year’s recipient:

Dorothy E. Maxwell

This year’s Walter A. Campbell recipient, Dorothy E. Maxwell, has

served Capital Area United Way for nearly two decades. She served

in the top leadership role as chair of the board of directors for two

terms, from 2015 to 2017. In addition, she served as vice chair

during 2014-15, secretary during 2005-06, treasurer from 2009-

2014 and has been a member of numerous committees, including

19 years on the Strategic Planning Committee, 13 years on the

Executive Committee, 12 years on the Human Resources Committee,

6 years on the Governance Committee, 6 years on the Agency

Relations Committee and was a member on both the CEO Search

Committee and grant funding panels. In total, Dorothy has served

the organization as a volunteer leader for 19 years.

ABOUT the AWARD: Capital Area United Way’s highest and most prestigious

service award was established in 1981 after its namesake, Walter A. Campbell.

It has been stated that Mr. Campbell did more for the community during his

retirement than many individuals do in a lifetime. He was a labor pioneer and

community activist, serving CAUW more than 40 years. The award celebrates his

spirit and his legacy of volunteerism is still alive in mid-Michigan today.

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Adult Volunteer of the Year

Joseph Golden 2000

Paula Simon

2001

Hugh Banninga 2002

Shirley Grieve

2005

Roseanne Goacher 2006

Christopher Trudeau

2007

Francine Watts 2008

Paul Babbitt

2009

Linda Anderson Jim Hannahs

2010

AmyJo Worrall 2011

Jerry Arriaga

Gertrudge “Gert” F. Mitchell 2012

Anne McCune

2013

Margaret Keeler 2014

Janet Hines

Dr. Michael Maish 2015

Cecilia Pomeroy

2016

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Stacey Simon

2000

Emily Fay

2001

Bryan McClure

2002

Andrew Thompson

2005

Bradley Niklas

2006

Ashley Cromartie

2007

Scott McKenna

2008

Jennifer Tsai

2009

Corey Bulock

2010

Kenneth Crouch, Jr.

2011

John Shaver

2012

Connor Frank

2013

Brandon Beckum

Zuleiha Racid

2014

Shreya Srivastava

2015

Maria José Martinez 2016

Past Award Winners

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2016 Award Winners

Darin Southworth

2016 Lifetime Volunteer

of the Year Award Winner

MSUFCU

2016 Company Volunteerism

Award Winner

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Former Walter A. Campbell Award Winners

2017 Keith A. Williams 2016 Glenn Granger 2015 Patrick McPharlin 2014 Jerry Ambrose 2013 John Zaworski 2012 Eva Evans 2011 Dennis Swan 2010 Richard Liles 2009 James Epolito 2008 Irv Nichols 2007 Paula Cunningham 2006 George Higginson 2005 Frank Manning 2004 Thomas Chirgwin 2003 Kip Bohne 2002 Anne Ganakas 2001 Kenneth Beall 2000 Everett Beemer 1999 David Brower

1998 Larry Smith 1997 Dale Martin 1996 Carl Koenigsknecht 1995 JoAnne Froelich 1994 Patricia Munshaw 1993 Jerry King 1992 Sandra Soltysiak 1991 Donald A. Hines 1990 Douglas A. Milbury 1989 Marylee Davis 1988 Robert Fisher 1987 Philip Jager 1986 Robert Chamberlain 1985 Mary Olson 1984 William Porter, Jr. 1983 Robert Felzke 1982 Gerald Finch 1981 Starr Keesler

Keith A. Williams 2017 Walter A. Campbell

Award Winner

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Criteria for Volunteer of the Year Awards

Youth:

An individual 18 years or younger at the time of service.

An individual who provides valuable volunteerism to our community through

their time and talents.

An individual who makes a difference in the lives of those who

benefit from their service.

Adult:

An individual 19 years or older at the time of service.



An individual who makes a difference in the lives of those who

benefit from their service.

Lifetime Volunteer:

An individual who has volunteered more than 25 years to either one or a

number of community service organizations on a long-term

basis.



An individual who has made a significant difference in the lives of those

who benefit from their service.

Innovator Volunteer:

An individual whose service has led to transformative change for an

Organization.



An individual who has made a significant difference in the lives of those

who benefit from their service.

Business:

A local business of any size that demonstrates an exemplary approach to a

corporate-initiated volunteer program.

A company that supports volunteerism and has made a substantial

impact and is currently involved with Capital Area United Way in a

meaningful way such as holding employee fundraising campaign or

investing in our mission.

A company that makes community involvement a priority.

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Renee Brown, Chair

Michigan State University

Patti Ayers

Lansing Community College

Fran Curry

Community Volunteer

Bob Glandon

Michigan State University

Elizabeth Hernandez

Lansing Board of Water & Light

Tori Martin

Michigan Health & Hospital

Association

Kathryn Thelen

Mercantile Bank

Jenny Thurber

Davenport University

Chris Tyler

Astera Credit Union

Vincent Thurman

Lansing Community College

2017-2018 Volunteer Services Workgroup

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330 Marshall Street, Suite 203

Lansing, MI 48912

ph: 517.203.5000

www.micauw.org

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You’re a Local Hero!