Charitable Union is deeply grateful to the following businesses, individuals and organizations who during 2011 were so generous in their support of our mission and work:

$10,000 OR MORE

► United Way of Greater Battle Creek: The organization provides funding for area nonprofits working in three key areas: education, income and health. During its fiscal year 2009-10, it gave $4,879,076 to local programs and agencies. That's 77 percent of the $6,313,204 in pledges and other revenue it collected for the year.

Charitable Union is a program delivery agency of United Way and receives 35% of its revenue from United Way. We are proud and thankful of our relationship with the United Way. They have been a sustaining force for our agency for many years. To learn more, click here now.

► W.K. Kellogg Foundation: In 1887 a group of ‘church ladies’ held a dance and raised monies to help others, especially the children of Battle Creek who had unmet needs. Their unselfish efforts eventually developed a hospital, worked to fill the nursing school to staff it, and established a vocational school that promoted sewing classes. From that humble beginning, the Charitable Union was born.

Thanks to a recent four-year grant for $399,900 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this local not-for-profit will be able to continue its mission of providing clothing, bedding, and small household items, at no cost for families in need, and advocating with them for their independence and self-sufficiency.

“This generous grant will help us in our business and organizational planning so we can develop and maintain a sustainable revenue stream,” says Kim Staib, president of the Charitable Union board of directors. “With this partnership behind us, we will be able to more efficiently continue to serve the needs of vulnerable children and families in greater Battle Creek.”

Today, if you walk through Charitable Union, you will still see volunteers, women and men, sewing clothes for others or making layettes for newborns, but there is much more that it does too.

The average annual income of the clients Charitable Union serves is around $6,500 per year. Charitable Union also provides clothing, shoes and winter coats for babies and school age children, and household items like towels, washcloths, bedding, dishes, and pots and pans to their families. This support enables the families to use their limited income for shelter, food and utilities.

In addition to providing free clothing to children and families in need, it also helps those who are seeking employment but do not have the appropriate clothing to succeed. The idea of making it possible for youngsters to attend school with decent clothes has reduced the feeling of being ‘different’ from their more well off schoolmates. For those trying to find a job, Charitable Union helps the prospective employee to be prepared to work when the offer comes. In both cases, being able to help instill pride in those who face financial challenges has been the driving force of the organization’s volunteers, donors, and staff over the decades.

In 2009, Charitable Union distributed more than 457,000 items to over 11,500 children and adults in need. Over the past six years, community needs for Charitable Union assistance have increased by over 150%.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a charitable organization established in 1930 that provides opportunities for individuals, corporations, and organizations to make gifts in an effort to improve the quality of life within the community. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and southern Africa. Please click here now to visit their website.

► Early Childhood Connections: The Family Connections program will provide a Welcome to Greater Battle Creek’s newest citizens. The families of every newborn infant will receive an initial home visit by a family and early childhood specialist, along with a home visitor support specialist. Learn more at their website by clicking here.

$5,000 OR MORE

► Battle Creek Public Schools: Battle Creek Public Schools is a world-class system providing a quality education that prepares all students to be productive and responsible citizens. BCPS has been a supporter of Charitable Union for many years. Find out more about them by clicking here now.

►Binda Foundation: The Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation is a private foundation established in November 1977 by Guido and Elizabeth Binda. Guido was an architect specializing in school design. For over forty years he invested his time and resources throughout southwest Michigan, improving education and the quality of life for many. Elizabeth, a former educator and world traveler, was an avid reader and devotee of the opera, classical music and the arts. Her passion to enhance learning for all children and youth is exemplified in the Foundation's accomplishments. Please click here now to visit their website.

►CareSource: The CareSource Foundation devotes resources toward non-profit organizations who are improving the lives of the underserved in Ohio and Michigan. The Foundation provides grants to health and human service entities for focused, innovative and impact-based programs that improve the quality of health care and delivery services.   Find out more about them by clicking here.

►Thank you also to the following individuals:

Mike and Debbie Magers

$2,500 OR MORE

► Battle Creek Tile and Mosaic: A donation was made to Charitable Union in loving memory of Santo Zanetti and Andrew Zanetti. Battle Creek Tile and Mosaic is a small family-owned business which has served Battle Creek for five generations! We are proud to be a part of their "family". Check out their website by clicking here.

► CSE Morse, Inc.: Established in 2001, CSE Morse, Inc. is a privately held Michigan corporation specializing in custom metal fabrication and installation, HVAC/Refrigeration construction, Mechanical Services and Food Safety/Sanitation Equipment. They are dedicated to safety and craftsmanship. They work with most types of metal and are outstanding in their field.We are pleased that CSE Morse, Inc. is a supporter of Charitable Union. Click here for their website.

►Gallagher Uniform: Established in 1893, Gallagher Uniform is a local, family owned company providing innovative Uniform Programs and related services to customers throughout Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana. Click here to visit them online.

$1,000 OR MORE

► Art Van Furniture: Charitable Union was awarded a $1,000 grant as part of the Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge. We received the award at a reception held by Art Van Furniture to recognize Charitable Union’s important work in the community.

“The Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge benefits 150 remarkable and deserving organizations to help them continue their outstanding work and improve the lives of people across our state,” said Art Van Elslander, Founder and Chairman of Art Van Furniture. We are grateful for the support that Art Van has provided to Charitable Union. Click here now to learn more about them and the philanthropic programs.

► Comerica Bank: Comerica is a multi-faceted corporation with an abiding sense of community. From investor relations and the latest information on our company to career opportunities and our commitment to community and diversity. We are proud that Comerica Bank is a supporter of Charitable Union. Click here to find out more about them.

► CSM Group:  Every company is responsible for our planet’s wellbeing, but as a member of the construction industry, CSM Group understands its direct and immediate impact on the built environment. By providing services in all phases of the building lifecycle, the potential to create positive change (ie: more efficient buildings, greater cost savings, safer and healthier environments, etc.) is significant.   

CSM Group has been a member of the U.S. Green Building Council since 2004 and is a founding member of the Southwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.  The Southwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is a non-profit organization working to promote business practices demonstrating environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social responsibility: the Triple Bottom Line. Click here to find out more about them.

► Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.:  Enbridge transports and distributes energy across North America through the employment of more than 6,000 people in Canada and the United States. The company prides itself on their commitment to corporate social responsibility and adhering to a strong set of corporate values. Click here for their website.

 ► Nonprofit Alliance:  Nonprofit Alliance is dedicated to strengthening the leadership and organizational capacities of nonprofit organizations in Calhoun County to effectively deliver their missions in alignment with priority community needs.  Click here for their website.

► Overflow Church/Quenched Ministries:  A spirit-filled faith community in Battle Creek. Check out their website here.

► Women's League:  Asmall group of women that have a passion for Battle Creek. Check out their facebook page here.

►Thank you also to the following individuals:

Adam and Deborah Dingwall
Kim Staib

$500 OR MORE

► Franklin Iron & Metal: Founded in 1900 by Myer Franklin, Franklin Iron & Metal Co., Inc. is a closely held family business. Susan Franklin Behnke and Beth Franklin Cohen are the fourth Franklin generation to head up the company operations. Behnke, company President, spends the majority of her time at the Franklin Iron and Metal main office overseeing the day to day operations at the scrap yard, while Cohen, company Vice President, is located at the Plastics Division, the newest and fastest growing part of Franklin Iron & Metal.

The company buys scrap metal and plastics from industrial clients. Metal is sorted and processed for sale to steel mills and foundries. Plastic is granulated into flakes and sold back to injection molders, compounders or various other markets. Charitable Union is proud to have Franklin Iron and Metal as part of our family. Click here to visit them online.

► Johnson System, Inc.: Johnson System Inc., located in Marshall, MI is a leading manufacturer of catwalks, towers, and support structures for 25 years. You can learn more here about Johnson System, Inc.

► Kohl's:  Kohl's believes in giving back to the communities it serves, not just with money and resources but also with talent and time. Through their community giving and volunteer program, they support kids' health and education, environmental initiatives and women's health. They envision a future where kids are healthy, resources are plentiful and disease that affects women and their families is eradicated.  Check out their website here.

► Parkshore Associates, Inc.: Lynn Schmoll has been an advocate of Charitable Union for several years. He is currently a Board member and a generous donor. He is founder of Parkshore Associates in Battle Creek. To learn more, click here now.

► Pence Consulting: Carole Pence has provided guidance and direction to our fund development program. We are grateful that she is also a supporter of Charitable Union. Her direction will help us, we believe, remain a viable and growing part of the fabric of Battle Creek. You can learn more about Pence Consulting by clicking on this link.

► St. Ambrose Church - Delton, MI: St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Delton held a special dinner/fundraiser for Charitable Union. We are grateful for their support and look forward to continuing to build our new-found friendship. Thank you!

► Sunshine Toyota:  Located in Battle Creek, Michigan, Sunshine Toyota is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in the area. Check out their website here.

► Tichenor, Inc.: Tichenor has been installing quality home improvement products since 1928 it's hard to find anyone in business with such an established reputation. Learn more about them here.

►Thank you also to the following individuals:

• Virginia Bailey Susan Chamberlain
  Bea Golyar
  Joan Ivany
  Joan Klopfenstein
  Mr. and Mrs. W.E. LaMothe
  Katherine Neeley
  Fred Peterson
  June Petty
  Mr. and Mrs. Peter Phelps
  Patti Staib
  Ken and Kim Tabor
  Steven and Bonnie Teska
  Deborah Vance
  Margaret Vogt
  Cris Woodcock

$250 OR MORE

► Anchor Staffing: Anchor Staffing provides commercial staffing solutions through an innovative onsite management program.

► Employment Group: ounded in 1958, EmploymentGroup is a solutions based business providing and delivering quality staffing and managed service solutions to allow clients to focus on their core business functions.   EmploymentGroup specializes in recruiting, training, and placing measurably better permanent and temporary field associates in contract, administrative, professional, technical, and light industrial positions. Check our their website here.

► First Wesleyan Church:  Founded on April 14, 1899, a year later this group affiliated with the Apostolic Holiness Union and in 1922 with the Pilgrim Holiness Church. Since 1968 they have been known as the First Wesleyan Church.  Learn more about First Wes here.

► Harper Creek Schools: Harper Creek Community Schools are located just outside the city of Battle Creek, Michigan. In 2005, Harper Creek opened a new state-of-the-art high school. We are grateful for the support of the students and faculty at Harper to Charitable Union. Click here to learn more. 

► Hubbard Plambing and Drain:  serves the Battle Creek area and is a vital part of the Battle Creek community. Click here to learn more. 

►The Robert B. Miller College is a private, independent, nonprofit, degree-granting institution offering quality education. The College meets the educational needs of a diverse student population by allowing them to complete their educational programs in a variety of learning formats.

The mission is to graduate students who exhibit a high level of competence in their area of study and demonstrate service to the community. The College values student learning, critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and an understanding of a globally-oriented world. Learn more here.

► Post Community Credit Union: Post Community Credit Union has gone through many changes since its inception in 1936. Formerly known as Post Products Credit Union or Post Employees CU their name changed after the merger with Metrocom Area Credit Union and in August of 2004 Post Metro Credit Union was introduced. In early 2007 another merger opportunity was accepted that would equally benefit both the memberships of Post Metro Credit Union and BC Postal Credit Union. At that time they began to use of the new name Post Community Credit Union.

Charitable Union is grateful to Post Community Credit Union for their support to the mission we serve. Learn more clicking here now.

► Schweitzer Inc.:  The mission and philosophy of Schweitzer Construction has always been to offer our clients the best service, fairest and most competitive pricing, and the most competent, customer service-oriented workers at all levels. Our reputation throughout the communities we serve is one of integrity, thoroughness and superior customer service. We constantly strive to gain and maintain the respect and trust of the people we build relationships with.   Learn more about Schweiter, Inc. here.

► Shaw Funeral Home: The Shaw Funeral Home is proud to be a family-owned and independent professional service provider with deep roots in our community.

Founded in 1866 as Battle Creek’s first funeral home, it has been operated since 1909 exclusively by four generations of the Shaw Family. The current owner, T. R. Shaw, Jr. is the great grandson of F. E. Shaw, who purchased the business in 1909. T. R.'s father, Tom and grandfather F. E. Shaw, Jr. left a legacy of service that the funeral home continues today. Families in the Battle Creek area have called on the Shaws to care for their families in their time of need for four generations.

We are grateful to Shaw Funeral Home for their support to Charitable Union. Please click here for their website.

► Worgess Agency: Family-owned independent insurance agency offering auto, home, business and other coverage. Since 1921, our heritage is protecting your legacy.Click here to learn more.

►Thank you also to the following individuals:

Jim and Susan Baldwin
Cecil Ball
Bill and Sadie Bauer
William and Kathleen Bramble
Sheri Brown
Mike and Laura Daugherty
Jenny Evans
Joanne Fales
Scott Foldenauer
Ferguson Fourn
Sharon Haes
Deborah Hammock
Kirk Henning
Shephen and Sue Jessup
David and Carol Kiessling
Therese Maisner
David Marick
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Martin
Ralph and Virginia Moody
Linda Pell
Mr. and Mrs. Garland Piper
Darrell Rice
Tony and Sandy Sadowski
Susan Spencer
Cheryl VanderVeen
Dr. Alice Warner-Mehlhorn
Lily Watkins
Linda Whitfield
Darwin and Margaret Winchell
Michael Wohlscheid
Gary and Julie Zink