LIVE UNITED ®
The United Way of Isabella County exists to address community needs by supporting agencies that support:
* Basic Needs
* Education
* Economic Self Sufficiency
Interesting statistics on families in the 2010 Adopt A Family program:
* 143 families are enrolled, including 595 individuals (342 youth)
* 67.1% have unemployed or underemployed adults
* 37.1% are lead by a single parent
* 15.4% of the parents are students in college or a GED program
* 7.7% report being domestic violence survivors
* 100% of those willing to help a family can still do so through this program
Volunteer of the week
This week’s Volunteer of the Week honor goes out to Bob Backus.
Bob Backus, of the law firm Janes, Backus and Janes, has been involved in our community for many years. He was President of the board for United Way of Isabella County, part of the planned giving committee for Central Michigan Community Hospital and on the board for the Chamber of Commerce.
Through the years Bob has become less involved with non-profit or board work as he has become very involved in youth sports. He spends five days a week coaching two little league teams. Bob coaches teams from T-Ball through 16 and under baseball league. His players from the little league team Butch Town Builders refer to him as a great coach who treats all of his players with respect and kindness. In addition to coaching baseball Bob is also involved with the Next Door Food Store fast pitch girls’ softball, Rocket Football, Mountain Town Hoops basketball, Parks and Recreation soccer and the amateur hockey program in Mt. Pleasant. Bob has said that he enjoys volunteering and especially being involved in our local sports programs. He feels that athletics are important to our youth because they help them to learn important life lessons. Playing competitive athletics aids kids in learning to understand and deal with success, failure and their emotions. The lessons that kids learn from playing sports are extremely important and will be put to use as they grow and face challenges in life.
Bob Backus, we thank you for your dedication to our community.
Congratulations on being Volunteer of the Week! > read more
