Caring for the communities where we live and serve is central to DTE’s mission. That’s why we encourage employees to give back by giving to United Way through our annual United Way campaign.
This year’s campaign kicked off Oct. 7 and, to start things off right, a team of DTE employees spent a day volunteering with United Way partner organizations.
More than 160 participants pitched in at the following locations:
- Gleaners Community Food Bank (Detroit) to sort and organize donated food
- Crossroads of Michigan (Detroit) to pack and serve meals
- United Way’s Community Fulfillment Center (Detroit) to organize incoming donations and restock food and household items
- Destined for Greatness Mentoring and Community Resource Center (Detroit) to sort donations and help keep the facility in good shape
- HAVEN of Oakland County (Pontiac) to organize donations and clean up inside and outside the shelter
- SOS Community Services (Ypsilanti) to beautify the shelter, cleanup the yard and organize donations.
Supporting organizations like these are a vital part of United Way’s mission to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways, and volunteer efforts like this day of outreach can make a big difference.
“None of what we do is possible without people who step up to make a difference,” said Allison Bunch, corporate relations director for United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Campaigns like DTE’s fund vital programs and volunteerism efforts like this one have a real impact in our communities. We’re so grateful to DTE and the people and organizations who get involved with their teams and support these programs.”
Volunteers were happy to spend some time getting out and giving back to the organizations United Way partners with to make a big difference in local neighborhoods.
“I’m proud to have the opportunity to give back through United Way and their partner organizations as we kick off our annual fundraising campaign at DTE,” said Shawn Patterson, vice president of Environmental Management and Safety and executive champion for United Way. “The support United Way offers our communities is priceless. More than one in three households in our region struggle to afford basic needs like food, housing and childcare. Supporting United Way through volunteer efforts like this and DTE’s annual campaign can help change that.”