When Jason enters a room, you can feel the energy level increase. He is a man of action and our community is often the beneficiary of this passion and enthusiasm. In 2009, Jason served as a Loaned Executive, spending time learning about United Way and then going out into the community to spread the Live United story.

His success in this role inspired him to serve as the Retail & Service Chair the following year. Always looking for that new challenge and fun idea, he looked for creative ways to engage local businesses--Dine to Donate was one of the results. Jason invested much of his own time to personally connect with area restaurants owners and managers, encouraging them to donate a portion of proceeds from a given day to United Way. The response was fantastic, piloting an exciting program that will continue to develop in the years to come.

He and over 20 other community advocates were part of top-secret project that culminated in the first-ever community flash mob, announcing the historic $5 million campaign result. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he agreed to participate before he even knew it required dancing. His performance earned him the nickname Jason “Staying Alive” Cryderman.

Bud Carpenter had a long and illustrious career with the Dow Chemical Company. He got involved with United Way early in his career as a donor and a volunteer. Bud has served in just about every capacity of the campaign. He engaged his coworkers as a United Way ambassador; helped to direct the message when he served as the Communications Chair; and saw first-hand the impact of those donations through his work with the Community Impact process.

Bud even presented to the Community Impact panel when he was the president of the Council on Aging. More recently, he took on leadership for the Special Gifts division, reaching out to fellow retirees. His passion and enthusiasm were legendary, from face to face conversations to innovative ways to stay in touch with donors after retirement.

Lovingly known at The Rock Youth Center as Grandma and Grandpa, Helen and Ron Vesterfelt embrace every child who enters the building--whether it’s offering a hug, a word of encouragement, or cookies and milk.

The Vesterfelt’s seem to know when someone is in need. They don’t wait for a phone call, they simply show up. Since 2001, they have been a regular fixture around the Rock Youth Center, whether they are cooking and serving dinner for 200 or cleaning up after a Friday Night “Club Rock.”

They both enjoy cooking for others while also feeding their spirit. They deliver meals to housebound seniors throughout the County and visit sick friends. Legend has it that almost everyone in this community has been fed by the Vesterfelt’s at one time or another. Their passion to serve is contagious, and they often recruit others to get involved or find that they’re having so much fun that others just naturally join in.

According to The Rock executive director Bev Wenzel, “The Versterfelt’s are quiet in their work and frequently overlooked. They are the first people to arrive and the last to leave.”

Susan Dusseau has provided unwavering leadership at Cancer Services for more than twenty-five years. Whether it’s offering a listening ear or shoulder to cry on, locating resources to help cancer patients and their families or leading a support group, Susan is an involved, compassionate and caring executive director.

A true testament to the number of lives she has touched is the number of people who nominated Susan for this award—more than we’ve ever received.

Studies show that 60-80% of all cancers are lifestyle related and if people would adopt healthier lifestyles, cancer rates could be cut by nearly 50%. Susan is passionate about health education and collaborates with so many other organizations to prevent a cancer diagnosis in the first place. She is a strong leader in advocating for tobacco prevention and cessation—including classroom programs like Teens Again Tobacco Use, individual counseling and quit tools. She is a driving force behind the Midland County Tobacco Reduction Coalition and the Smoke Free Workplace resolution that passed in Midland County.

For those who have received a cancer diagnosis, Susan is their biggest advocate and cheerleader. She will drop everything for a patient who walks through the door in need. Susan goes out of her way to meet their unique needs, whether it’s an upbeat Zumba session, grief counseling for family members, free wigs or help with transportation costs for treatment.

Always searching for innovative ways to help cancer patients through their journey, she launched the PALS program (Partners as Life Survivors), which pairs a cancer survivor with a newly diagnosed partner.

According to one nominator: “Her heart for people and their families walking through the cancer experience is one like that of Mother Theresa.”

Rod Dishaw not only believes that “You Belong at Bullock Creek,” he demonstrates that message each and every day to the families and students of Floyd Elementary School.

From budget cuts to higher test score expectations, educators have faced some tough challenges in the past few years. At the same time, Floyd’s families have been faced with many economic challenges of their own. Nearly 60% of the children in the building qualify for free or reduced lunch. Rod has found a way to bring both groups together around a common goal—the education of children.

Rod understands education doesn’t just take place in the classroom. He serves as the district’s homeless liaison, ensuring that students and their families have adequate food, shelter and clothing. Rod shops for clothes, shoes, school supplies and groceries for these families so that children arrive at school ready to learn.

In addition to collaborating with numerous agencies that serve families in need, he has joined forces with West Midland Family Center. Recognizing that they share many students, they make the transition from pre-school to kindergarten seamless. In addition, West Midland holds a number of their summer programs at Floyd to help retain and build academic skills through the summer.

Rod’s compassion for others and innovative sprit create an environment where children come first. He is truly a bright star for families in the west end of Midland County. Rod, could you please join me on stage.

“Companies That Care” are not only characterized by the financial commitment they and their employees make, but their impact through community advocacy and volunteerism. They serve as the foundation for real change and continue the strong legacy of compassion for those in need.

Some that were recognized have long supported the mission of United Way, while others are fairly new to the family. Some are large corporations, while others are small family-run businesses or area non-profits. The common thread that runs throughout each of this year’s honorees is the promise to be an integral part of our future.

Beyond their commitment to successful employee and corporate campaigns, these organizations and their employees serve as campaign volunteers, loaned executives, Leadership Circle members, Young Leaders, and community volunteers. They sponsor local events, and find innovative ways to help reach out and engage our community.

2011 COMPANIES THAT CARE:
Andrews Hooper & Pavlik
The Arnold Center
Ayre Rhinehart Realtors
Chemical Bank
The Clorox Company  
Comerica Bank
Consumers Energy
Deloitte
The Dow Chemical Company
Dow Chemical Employees’ Credit Union
Dow Corning Corporation
Faulkner Construction
Gavin & Associates
Ieuter Insurance Group
Ingenuity, IEQ
Members First Credit Union
Midland County Employees
Midland Daily News
MidMichigan Health
Northwood University
Quad Graphics
Rehmann
RE/MAX of Midland
Styron
Three Rivers Corporation
West Midland Family Center
Wolverine Bank
Yeo & Yeo, CPA

We are proud to announce that the 2011 Caring Company of the Year was awarded to Dow Corning Corporation.

According to Dow Corning’s CEO Bob Hansen, “The passion and commitment Dow Corning employees demonstrate for the Great Lakes Bay Region serve not only to make the community better, but also helps shape the culture of our company. This is our home, and it has served the Dow Corning family for nearly 70 years. We understand the importance of being stewards of this community, so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the region as we have.”

Innovative leaders in their industry, they bring that same passion to service in the community. Dow Corning believes that education is critical to our future. Their support of local k-12 math and science education is demonstrated through mentoring programs, science fairs and school-to-work initiatives. They also work to enhance workforce readiness and building job skills.

Dow Corning employees are our neighbors. You will see them in the classroom as well as in non-profit board rooms, planting trees; collecting food for the hungry and helping children become stronger readers. Dozens of employees spend one lunch hour a week helping struggling readers through the United Way Lunch Box Learners program.

Dow Corning partners with the Arnold Center, creating full-time employment and helping address recycling opportunities for more than 50 local businesses. They also support a community recycling initiative that allows neighbors to take plastic to the Midland plant.

At Dow Corning, community engagement is not just a corporate tagline. You see the results of their compassion each and every day, in the eyes of those they serve, and in the many ways they have helped to shape our community.