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Mission
"To build the community's financial and human ability to effectively and efficiently meet its human care needs and to create increased awareness in the community."
Our History
In 2005 United Way of Bay County celebrated 75 years of helping others in our community. This page highlights the transformation of our organization from one of funding agencies to one that now funds programs that address priority community human care issues. We thank our many donors and volunteers who make this legacy of caring possible.
Overview of United Way
The United Way concept of planning and funding community health and welfare services got its start in Denver in 1887. In that year, Denver was plagued by welfare problems, the result of 20 years of rapid growth. During the previous two decades Denver's population had skyrocketed from 5,000 to 100,000, a dramatic increase even by today's standards. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish leaders joined forces to organize fundraising to meet the needs of the poor. With this, the United Way concept was born, bringing groups and individuals together in the community to care for one another. |
Norman Rockwell contributed his talent in this painting for Rochester, N.Y., Community and War Chest Campaign in 1946. Copyright Brown & Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn. |
For nearly a century, United Way organizations have been meeting the needs of people in hundreds of communities and in that time we have all seen many changes come about causing subsequent changes in the types of services provided. The tidal wave of immigration early in the century, the World Wars, the Roaring 20's, the Great Depression, the post-War years of prosperity followed by the War on Poverty all had a significant influence on how United Ways responded and cared for those in need. But whatever the situation called for, United Ways were there anticipating needs, mobilizing their communities, and getting help where it was most needed.United Way organizations grew in popularity because they offered a unified approach to problems, reduced the number of appeals from local charities and allowed people to support a wide range of services with one gift.
Today there are more than 2,600 United Way organizations, each run by local citizens. While they are similar in many ways, they are tailored to meet the needs of their own communities.Contributions to United Ways result in financial support for about 43,000 agencies and service groups providing human care services. In any one community we may find a variety of services: services for the family, elderly, and children; all in critical demand; all requesting support from the United Way. Although United Ways have successfully raised more dollars for services each year, community needs usually exceed available funds.United Ways bring together all types of people in the community: those who need help, offer help, and want to help.
Bay County United Way History
The latter part of the nineteenth century was an exciting time for Bay County, especially Bay City. It was a prosperous lumber mill community, and it also served as "rest and relaxation" center for the many lumbermen who worked throughout the Lower and Upper Peninsula. Bay City grew rapidly and so did its social problems. Agencies that are presently part of the United Way of Bay County began providing programs and services at this time.
Year |
Agency |
1881 |
Red Cross The response to the Michigan forest fires in the thumb area was one of the first "national disaster responses" for the Red Cross. |
1883 |
Salvation Army First appearances at street meetings in front of Fraser House (Wenona Hotel). |
1885 |
Bay Area Family Y The movement started to provide an alternative for young men to the wild nightlife of this frontier town. |
1891 |
YWCA Service started to provide help to young women moving into the city to work at mills. |
1899 |
Lutheran Child & Family Service First child placed in a home because mother and father did not want the child. |
1902 |
Lutheran Child & Family Service Advertises for children who are not wanted by families. |
At this time in Bay City there emerged a core of community leaders who established an organization that would provide a coordinated effort to raising resources to support the local agencies providing services.
In 1907 in Bay County, the women's department of the local board of trade, which in 1914 evolved into the Civic League, was the inception of our present day United Way.
In our twentieth century, agencies that are part of United Way have been established in Bay County to respond to unique needs, such as Catholic Family Service, 1940; Association for Retarded Citizens, 1952; Boys Club, 1957; Friendship House (BASIS), 1969; Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 1972; Volunteer Action Center, 1973; and Women's Center, 1978. |
1946 Artwork by Batton, Barton,
Durstine and Osborn. |
As agencies developed programs to meet needs, community organizations, which eventually became our United Way of Bay County, also evolved in Bay County.
1919 - War Chest organization established to provide materials for war effort.
1922 - Bay County Welfare League established to raise resources for local agencies.
1930 - Bay County Community League supplants leagues and has full-time staff
person.
1941 - Community League becomes Community Chest and includes work of Civic League.
1942 - United Way Chest established to raise funds for military service organizations such as U.S.O.; while separate in structure from Community Chest, it shares staff.
1956 - Bay City Community Chest and United Chest formally unite as the United Community Services and becomes the present United Way of Bay County.
Click here to see a diagram of history.
United Way of Bay County is a dynamic organization that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of people in Bay County. Our diverse group of community volunteers ensures our organization will continue to be trustworthy, efficient and effective for many years to come.
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