UPDATED WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2006
   Our next newsletter update coming Spring 2007
Newsway Vol. 12 -  Fall 2006   

Campaign Chairman’s Message

“Never underestimate the power of giving. It shines like a beacon throughout humanity. You cannot hold a torch to light another’s path…without brightening your own.”

What if you knew you were making a sound investment? Your Plymouth Community United Way volunteers are working hard to see the big picture for the future of the Plymouth/Canton Community. We are investing in programs that:

  • help people become self-reliant
  • build stable families
  • promote health and prevent illnesses
  • help kids succeed

    For example, every $1 that United Way invests in early childhood development programs today will save $7 in future costs associated with crime and welfare.

There is only one thing missing….YOU!

Why contribute? For many individuals in Plymouth/Canton, contributing to the United Way has many benefits:

  • It is for everyone! People touched by United Way’s agencies are your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members.
  • The money you give supports local programs in our community.
  • By working together we can do so much more that any one of us can do alone.
  • You know that the dollars are being used for vital and effective programs that make a difference in Plymouth/Canton.

We ask you to consider a generous gift to this year’s campaign. You can make a secure online donation through this website.

Thank you for making a sound investment in your community.

Personally yours,

Thomas Salapatek
2006 Campaign Chairman


Cal Branigan Foundation Outing Benefits
United Way

The Cal Branigan Memorial Golf Tournament was established in recognition of Cal Branigan, a Conestoga-Rovers & Associates employee who died in 1995. Since the original outing in 1995 the outing has raised over $20,000 benefiting many worthy organizations.

Proceeds from this years outing were donated to the Plymouth community United Way. PCUW Board of Directors Chairman Greg Foster was present to accept a $5,000 check from the foundation. On behalf of our agencies and individuals served by our programs, the PCUW extends a huge thank you to the Cal Branigan Memorial Foundation.


Plymouth United Way Receives
National Certification

Organization Exceeds United Way of America
Accountability Standards

Marie Morrow, Chief Executive Officer, announced that the Plymouth Community United Way has successfully completed all of the United Way of America membership requirements satisfactorily and on time. The requirements include: Membership Requirements Certification, Membership Investment, Income and Expense Survey and the Database 2 Survey of Total Resources Generated (a survey that captures the full extent of a community’s resource development efforts during the year).

“The membership standards must be certified annually in order for us to remain a member of the United Way system,” stated CEO Morrow. “It is important for us to maintain a high standard of accountability and this is part of the process to document that our operations are transparent and meet or exceed United Way membership criteria requirements.”

The Board of the Plymouth Community United Way reviewed and approved the Membership Requirements Certification on April 20, 2006. The Certification mandates completion of 13 requirements for United Way of America membership along with verification of the status of 40 indicators that demonstrate a United Way embodies the intent of the membership requirements.

“It is critically important that all United Ways meet the highest standards and verify on paper that they have conformed to the stringent requirements of membership in the United Way system,” stated Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America. “We applaud and congratulate the Plymouth Community United Way for demonstrating their commitment by completing the recertification process.”

As an integral part of the community, the Plymouth Community United Way is specifically involved in programs that influence positive character development and citizen training for our youth, build stronger families by addressing issues such as domestic violence and substance abuse, and provide services to our senior population. Needs of the disabled and mentally challenged are also meet through Plymouth Community United Way programs and agencies.


Put Stock in the United Way

Have you ever thought about donating stock to the Plymouth Community United Way as an alternative to a direct contribution? It’s easy to accomplish, and may prove to be an excellent method of maximizing the potential benefit of your gift.

The chart below compares the net effect of three avenues of donation to the United Way:

Option A:
Give Securities (basis of $2000)
Option B:
Cash or check
Option C:
Sell securities and give cash

Value of Gift
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000

Income Tax Savings (assuming 35% tax rate)
($3,500)
($3,500)
($3,500)

Capital gains tax (assuming 35% tax rate)
($1,200)
n/a
$1,200

Net cost to donor
$5,300
$6,500
$7,700
(Federal tax laws as of July 1, 2004)

Donating stock is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Please call the Plymouth Community United Way Stock Transfer Agent at (734) 453-6879 for more information.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
If you support the United Way through your place
of work, please consider designating your donation to the Plymouth Community United Way. By doing so, your dollars return to help people in our community.

 
Annual Golf Classic Helps Move Us
Towards Our Goal of Self-funding

Plymouth Community United Way’s eighth annual Tee Off for a Friend Golf Classic moved us closer to our goal of becoming self-funded and allow every dollar donated to PCUW to go back into the community, funding our programs and agencies. The outing raised over $160,000. Half will go into the PCUW’s long term investment fund and half to Community Opportunity Center, an agency that operates several facilities for mentally challenged adults in western Wayne County. One of the homes, Plymouth Opportunity House, is located on Deer Street in Plymouth.

Greg Foster, PCUW Board Chairman and DTE Energy Manager of Electric Choice, is pleased at how well everybody stepped up and participated, despite difficult economic times in Michigan. “It shows how people are very giving and supportive of underprivileged people. I’m very encouraged by that,” Foster said.

The outing was played at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center with 364 golfers in attendance from major sponsor DTE Energy, as well as Visteon, Automotive Components Holdings, Johnson Controls and their suppliers and guests. Each year the major sponsor for the event is rotated among the four companies.  

The nearly $80,000 going to the PCUW long term investment fund will be added to the current balance of more than $592,600. PCUW President Marie Morrow said that spending some of the interest of the fund for expenses could soon be a reality. “Our long term investment committee will take a look at the amount of money we’ve raised, what the investments are earning, and make a determination if they want to start pulling some of the interest out,” Morrow said. “These companies help raise a lot of money for the investment fund, it’s just tremendous.”
Representatives of the companies agree on the importance to give back to the communities in which they have facilities. “We have the Sheldon Road plant, and we like to stay close to the local community and help people in our constituency around the plant,” said Steve Davis, Director of Engineering for ACH. “We also feel the goal of creating an endowment fund that can cover the expenses of the Plymouth Community United Way, and then have all the money people contributed go back to the community is a very admirable goal. It makes a lot of sense for us to be supportive.”


It’s in the Hole



Todd Gummersbach of Holland, MI, said he’ll never forget his participation in the 2006 Plymouth Community United Way’s Tee Off for a Friend Golf Classic.

Gummersbach, president of Uniform Color Company in Holland, became the only person in the eight-year history of the event to post a hole-in-one, stroking his ace on the par 3, 14th hole on the Golden Fox course at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center.

“It was 165 yards, but the pin was back, so it played more like 175 yards,” remembered Gummersbach. “It was dark and about to rain, so I was thinking I would just try to get on the green so we wouldn’t make a bogey.

“It was a 5 iron, and when I hit it I could see it hit the green and roll up there,” he said. “I bent over to pick up my tee and get into the cart before it started raining, and I heard everyone around the green screaming. It was unbelievable.”

Gummersbach said he wasn’t even sure what he had won. “You don’t even read the signs about the grand prize because you figure there’s no chance you’re going to make a hole-in-one,” Gummersbach said. “It didn’t click until a few seconds later that the sign had the pictures of a plane, car and cruise ship.”

Gummersbach won a two-year lease on a Chevy Impala from Lou LaRiche Chevrolet in Plymouth Township, and the choice of two airline tickets or a cruise package for two.

“We’re using the airline tickets for a ski trip to Colorado during Christmas,” he said.
Gummersbach sponsored a foursome at the PCUW outing, playing with three team members from Johnson Controls in Plymouth Township.

“We sell to the automotive industry, and a lot of our customers are in the Detroit area,” Gummersbach said. “We like to support the efforts of our customers in the communities they serve.”


New Pension Law Provides Opportunities for Charitable Contributions

Billions of pre-tax dollars have been saved in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) by millions of Americans since 1974. As a combined result of continued savings and investment returns, an estimated $3.6 trillion is currently invested in IRAs. With the recent passing of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, certain IRA owners may share some of their retirement savings directly with charities, without counting it as income or incurring income tax.

Following many years of steady saving and strong returns, a significant share of retirees now have IRA balances well in excess of what they will ever need. Previously, those giving funds to charity had to pay income tax on the withdrawal first. Designating children as beneficiaries is an option, but often results in additional tax liabilities. In fact, for larger estates, heirs get less than 25% of most IRA assets that pass through estates, according to financial experts.

The new Pension Protection Act of 2006 creates a better option: Transfer IRA assets directly to charity without being taxed, thereby preserving the full amount for charitable use. The law covers charitable transfers made this year and next year. Specifically, in 2006 and 2007, Traditional and Roth IRA holders at least 70 1/2 years old can make direct IRA asset transfers to charity up to $100,000 per year. This IRA provision will expire at the end of 2007, unless extended by Congress.

As a qualified public charity, Plymouth Community United Way (PCUW) can accept gifts of these assets into unrestricted and designated agency endowment funds. This legislation also contains provisions for charitable gifts such as clothing, food and personal property, such as art. Additional provisions are included that address private foundations and supporting organizations.

To learn more and to make arrangements for a direct contribution of IRA assets, please contact the Plymouth Community United Way.
Car Donations Benefit Plymouth Community
United Way

Did you know by donating your car you can help Plymouth Community United Way? Charity Motors will send 70% of your cars selling price to PCUW. Your car donation is 100% tax deductible and pick up is free.

You can donate by calling Charity Motors at
(313) 255-1000 or donate online at
charitymotors.org