Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


An annual event that gives area residents and businesses a chance to maximize their holiday giving while helping community members in need has arrived.

The Livingston County United Way’s Matching Money Monday (MMM) is a one-day challenge to the community to support local families with services for their most basic needs. It’s done through big-hearted sponsoring partners who match local individuals’ generosity.

The community is asked to meet the challenge and donate through various means today to help make the greatest impact for friends and family in this upcoming year.

Interim Development and Marketing Director Jeanne Clum told WHMI Matching Money Monday started in 2008 thanks to a very generous donor that supplied funding, and another matching donor. She says it’s evolved since then and they challenge the community to step up and try to match donated funds they’ve been given.

Clum stressed that 100% of the funds stay in Livingston County and go right back into the community for much-needed health and human service programs for the upcoming year. Programs help with homelessness, food, rent, and utilities among others and Clum said their whole focus is to fill the most critical needs of local youth, families, individuals, and seniors.

Clum noted that they have some incredible donors and sponsors this year that have stepped up like no other year and it’s been “phenomenal”. She says they have almost $300,000 the community can match this year - which is unheard of - and goes to show just how committed their partners are in that they want to see good things happen in the community, help families who are in crisis, and make sure they have resources.

Clum said the need still seems to be escalating and people are calling constantly for help with food, utilities, rent, and others. She added that mental health services are also at a crisis point and they want to support that as much as they can, and Matching Money Monday will be a catalyst for some of that.

There are many ways to donate – by phone by calling the United Way at l 810-494-3000; online 24/7 at www.lcunitedway.org; stop by the Livingston County United Way office at 2980 Dorr Road in Genoa Township from 7am to 7pm; or visit any of the participating locations during their regular business hours.

WHMI’s Mike Scott will also be out at the United Way offices today from 10am to noon. Those who do stop by the offices are invited to come in for homemade cookies and coffee.

More information and a list of sponsors and donation locations is available in the attached press release. A link is also provided.