Nikki from Whirlpool’s Employee Campaign for United Way of Southwest Michigan explains how you can get a great gift for a loved one this holiday season and help a United Way with the Community Basket Auction through this Friday, December 10th at uwsm.org.
Whirlpool announces Community Basket Auction Dec. 1-10 to benefit United Way
Avoid shortages and shipping hassles this holiday season—buy themed gift baskets and help United Way of Southwest Michigan!
“Giving Tuesday” is the global day of giving that encourages philanthropy and celebrates generosity worldwide. Always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday was November 30 this year. Whirlpool Corporation is giving Southwest Michigan the opportunity to participate in the spirit of Giving Tuesday and benefit United Way AND get some holiday shopping done. Not for just one day, but 10!
Whirlpool is holding an online Community Basket Auction from December 1-10 at uwsm.org. The auction began at 12:01 a.m. on December 1 and ends at 2 p.m. on December 10. On the website, bidders will find photos of the baskets, lists of items in the baskets, and total basket values, as well as the dates and locations to pick up the baskets. Items have been donated by community businesses and individuals, and all proceeds from sales will go to Whirlpool’s Employee Pledge Campaign for United Way.
Basket themes include:
- Boating
- Bird & Butterfly Garden Basket
- Bread Bar Holiday
- Coloma Experience
- Cozy Christmas
- Gardening with Gladiator
- Gladiator Garage
- Happy Hour Chill
- Laundry Hero
- Local Arts Package
- Snow Day Emergency Kit
- St. Joe Gift Cards
- Wine
- …and more!!
The Community Basket Auction is the brainchild of Shelitha McKee, a customer relations manager at Whirlpool and a long-time leader of Whirlpool’s Employee Pledge Campaign for United Way. She has spearheaded an internal basket raffle at Whirlpool to benefit United Way in recent years, and because of its smash success, the campaign committee decided to take the basket concept community-wide as an auction this year, in addition to the internal raffle.
“We’re so excited that we can offer baskets to the whole community as an auction because the baskets are so creative and fun and people love them,” said McKee. “We know this auction will give a big boost to our campaign to raise funds for United Way and support the impactful work they do in our community.”
Whirlpool and United Way of Southwest Michigan are grateful for the support of the following who donated items and sponsored baskets:
- 1st Source Bank
- Alex’s Veggies
- Children’s Music Workshop
- Coloma Township Police Department
- Fluff N’ Sudds
- Holt Bosse
- Local Pour
- Martin’s Super Markets
- Mid-West Family
- PhycoTech
- Pier 1000
- RMB Capital
- Starks Family Funeral Homes
- The Livery
- Well of GRACE Ministries
- Vomela
- Whirlpool Corporation
- YMCA of Greater Michiana
To view auction items and bid, visit uwsm.org.
ABOUT UNITED WAY
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community’s longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy, and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.
