Adopt-a-Family is a program sponsored by United Way. Needy local families are matched with people or organizations that vow to provide the family with basic necessities and gifts for the holiday.

All families have been assigned to a faculty or staff member, a hall or a registered student organization.

“Each family submits a wish list,” said student coordinator Taylor Galmarini, an Illinois senior. “We have an assortment of families and organizations come in and look at the description of a family and decide whether they’d like to sponsor them.”

Noble Elway Pegg, a Dearborn graduate assistant at the Volunteer Center, said local families are helped immensely by the Adopt-a-Family program.

“This program enables families to still have the holiday experience despite the cost,” Pegg said. “This year, we’ve adopted the most families we’ve ever had, and that shows the support we have from our campus.”

In 2010, CMU adopted 26 families. Galmarini said that number has risen because of the overwhelming support on campus.

“The willingness of the CMU community allowed us to have more families,” Galmarini said. “People are in a place this year where they would like to adopt more families and I appreciate them participating.”

Most families ask for basic necessities as well as Christmas gifts, Galmarini said.

“The opportunity to be able to provide families with warm clothes for winter or food or gas money is really an honor,” she said. “We’re so excited to be able to host this event.”

The deadline to turn in items is Dec. 7 and drop-off locations are located across campus.

Alma freshman Neil Rosan said he encourages everyone to participate in the program.

“It makes you feel good to know you gave a family necessities and Christmas gifts. This is a Christmas that they probably wouldn’t have without you,” Rosan said. “The impact it can make on kids and adults is amazing and it can change their entire outlook toward our community and CMU in general.”

Other ways to participate include volunteering to sort gifts and assign families or giving monetary donations.

“If anyone would like to volunteer or offer a monetary donation, they can contact me through the volunteer center,” Galmarini said.

Rosan said Adopt-a-Family is proof a little money can go a long way to give a needy family a holiday season they may not have had otherwise.

“It’s really not that much. It’s a couple bucks and it makes an impact,” Rosan said. “If we all give a little bit, the money adds up and can really make a difference.”

On Aug. 30 the United Way of Isabella County and the Mount Pleasant community joined together to bring awareness to the needs in Isabella County by filming a video clip where volunteers came to simulate cheering on the Chippewas.

Mary Lou Morey, coordinator of media and marketing for human resources at CMU, was involved in planning the event.

“A little bit of everybody in the community came,” Morey said. “Staff members from CMU, people from United Way and a wide variety of age groups (participated).”

The video will be used as a message to the donors of United Way to continue their support and encourage other members of the community to start giving.

Morey said CMU cheerleaders came out as well.

“It went well,” Morey said. “It was last minute, so we didn’t get as many volunteers as we would have liked.”

CMU cheerleader Darron Johnson participated in the campaign.

“I thought the event was a great way to raise awareness in the community,” the Flint sophomore said. “I’m glad that CMU cheerleaders could be a part of this important cause.”

Despite lower numbers than they had hoped for, Nichole Bliss, executive director of United Way of Isabella County, was happy with the result.

“I was pleased with the turnout,” Bliss said.

Bliss said CMU is at the top in giving to United Way through the campaigns on campus.

The production has not yet been viewed, but it is a piece that will be tied into an entire video to promote awareness, Bliss said.

Segments of Kid Rock performing the song “Born Free” for the 2010 United Way Thanksgiving Halftime show at the Detroit Lions game will be mixed in the final video. Local stories and videos will be integrated as well, Morey said.

Morey said they are hoping to show the video at the first Saturday home football game on Oct. 1.

“We wanted the background of a cheering football stadium to offset the seriousness of the needs of the community,” Morey said.

The Central Michigan University United Way Steering Committee annually hosts the event. But according to an email sent out on the faculty listserv, the event has been postponed. The exact time and place of the new time was not immediately clear.

Intentions behind the event was set to spread knowledge of this year’s upcoming campaign and to thank supporters of their fund drive at CMU.

United Way is a non-profit global human service organization that engages in activities intended to improve peoples’ lives.

The CMU fund drive opened in September of 2004.

This year, one of the company’s goals is to increase the number of donors by 50 percent.

Email invitations have been sent to last year’s sponsors, requesting them to extend the invitation to additional CMU faculty and staff members who are interested in becoming a “champion.”

For more information, contact Teri Rau by phone at 989-774-3334 or by email at rau1tl@cmich.edu.

According to a press release, Central Michigan University plans to partner with the United Way to help those in need.

“Last year 6,000 residents from Isabella County were provided resources for housing, utilities, medical assistance, transportation and other basic needs from the United Way and its supported agencies,” the release stated. “This could not have been achieved without the generosity of our faculty, staff and student donors.”

The United Way encouraged students to join online, pledge donations and recruit their peers to do the same.

For more information check out: unitedwayisaco.org.

Shingles, assistant vice president of University Recreation, has been part of Central Michigan University’s campus for the past 22 years. He has made it a priority to be a good ambassador in support of the university and its initiatives.

“It is important for people to understand the wholesome nature of diversity,” Shingles said. “It is much more than ethnic diversity, and we must keep a moral compass for that.”

In 1997, Shingles became the assistant vice president of Institutional Diversity. Being the second person to hold this position, he had a key role in making the first university-wide diversity plan. This plan was founded on CMU’s value of diversity within its environment.

As the head of University Recreation, Shingles is responsible for recreation and wellness programs and services at CMU. As part of the Events Center’s mission, the staff works to provide an array of programs. Shingles said he is committed to ensuring a venue that supports all different types of opportunities, people and events.

Shingles is also in charge of hiring staff and recruiting students. He firmly believes diversity starts by making sure it is present within the workforce.

“There is a genesis within diverse planning and understanding of values,” Shingles said. “A diverse workforce benefits everybody in terms of service and relationships.”

Vincent Mumford, associate professor of physical education and sport and Shingles’ colleague since 2006, said he admires his passion and active commitment to student growth and diversity.

“Stan isn’t just talk, he makes things happen,” Mumford said. “It is because of his active recruitment and determination that Health Management has become a more diverse program.”

Shingles considers himself an ordinary individual given extraordinary opportunities. He said he believes it is his social and ethical responsibility to give back to the community. He is a member of the local United Way, Red Cross, National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and Special Olympics game committee.

Nichole Bliss, executive director of United Way of Isabella County emphasized the impact Shingles has on people’s lives.

“Stan is a man of great influence, knowledge and giving his time, talent and treasure,” Bliss said. “He takes time to listen and find ways to solve problems.”

Despite other job offers throughout the years, Shingles has chosen to stay at CMU. He plans to continue his mentorship with students, athletes, faculty and community members. He has seen the university transform over the last 20 years and knows more is to come.

“My values in diversity are consistent with CMU’s,” Shingles said, “and that is a main reason for why I enjoy being here.”

One hundred people showed up to demonstrate their support during the 3-mile bike ride, despite the pouring rain. Theresa Ruper, board of directors president for the United Way of Isabella County, said she was very excited about the turn out.

“We raised about $10,000 in money and in kindness (donations),” she said. “This just wouldn’t have worked without everyone here, sponsors and participants.”

Many attendants were seen walking around smiling and conversing before the start of the ride.

Kyle Joseph, a Mason freshman, and Kris Lawrence, a Washington freshman, said the event was a great way to get out and give back.

Miles Coffland, left, Mike Demos, Joel Bollinger, Benjamin Rollenhagen, and Nathan Wernette ride into Island Park on Saturday afternoon finishing there 100 mile bike ride. "It was a great experience to ride with such great people", says Rollenhagen. (Joe Tobianski/Staff Photographer)

“It’s United Way,” Joseph said. “I like to help out organizations like this and give back.”

Many other riders shared the same feelings toward the event.

Biking-enthusiast Duane Ling attended the event with his mother. He said it was great that they were giving helmets to kids as part of the event.

“We are big sponsors of United Way. We also love biking, so it was a great event for us,” the Mount Pleasant resident said. “It’s a good cause and United Way just does all sorts of things for the community.”

The United Way may make this an annual event, Rupert said.

Many other attendees came with their families, including some who hadn’t even know about the event.

Amanda Morgan and her family were already out for a bike ride when they learned of fun ride, she said.

“We just found out about it this morning,” the Mount Pleasant resident said. “We wanted to go out for a bike ride together for the cold weather came and then my son found out about this before we left.”

That is just what the United Way of Isabella County thought when organizing its charity kickoff this year — a 3-mile family fun bicycle ride starting at noon Saturday at Island Park.

Nichole Bliss, executive director of local nonprofit branch, said the main purpose of the United Way is to give back to the community and raise money for affiliate organizations such as The Salvation Army, American Red Cross and 17 other agencies.

“Our goal for the event was $10,000,” Bliss said. “We’ve already exceeded this amount through sponsorship.”

All ages are encouraged to participate and it is $5 for an individual to register and $20 for a family. In addition to the bike ride, there will also be a provided lunch, snow cones, popcorn and a “local celebrity dunk tank.”

Stan Shingles, associate vice president for University Recreation. said he encourages all students to get involved in one way or another. Shingles, along with his wife, Rene, serve as ambassadors for the Central Michigan University United Way Fund Drive Campaign.

“CMU student involvement is important in the CMU United Way Fund Drive Campaign,” he said. “No matter how large or small, the contributions of students makes a significant impact on our community, the agencies and the people that the United Way funding impacts.”

The event will also include the welcoming of participants in a 100-mile bike ride, which begins in Kentwood and ends in Island Park. The idea originated after DTE Energy gas operations supervisor Mike Demos was challenged by fellow employees to do the rigorous ride alone last year.

Demos agreed to participate in the ride on one condition — the employees must pledge funds for the United Way and support those who were struggling with heat and utilities. The employees responded and raised $5,000.

“It all started when the employees joked and told me I should ride to work,” Demos said. “It became a reality, and really caught on.”

The idea is new to the kickoff this year. Demos and six other participants will be pushing themselves to complete the ride.

Participants can still register for the 3-mile race up to 11:30 a.m. Saturday by calling 773-9863 or by visiting www.ridemi.org.

“We encourage students to participate, it’s great way to give back to the community and have fun doing so,” Bliss said.

Six teams total competed in Pong 101, a water pong tournament to raise money for the United Way.

The event raised $113, short of a $200 goal.

“It would have been better if there were more people,” said Holton junior Aaron Coon.

The tournament started off with a double elimination bracket.

Alanson junior Matt Mills came to support his friend who was in the RPL 430 class, who organized the event.

“Doing beer pong for a charity is a great combination,” he said.

The finals

Macomb senior Sara Renke, left, and Farmington Hills senior Kristin Niemyjski of team Central Girls remove the cup that Taylor junior Jessica Chesley of Team RPL Girls scored in as she high fives her team mate. (Jeff Smith/Staff Photographer )

The final game was between Ballin’ and 414.

Before staring the teams were given rules — a 10-cup game, 20 minute time limit, no bounce backs, celebrity shots, blowing, or having more than two re-racks. Overtime included three cups with no re-racks. This would come into play later on in the night.

Ballin’ jumped out to a quick lead by sinking the first three cups. But in the end it came down to one cup on each side, which both teams seemed to struggle for.

Ballin’ throughout the tournment had not lost a game leading up to the final round. 414 only had one loss, which was against Ballin’.

Team 414 sunk the last cup with a second game in sight, since the tournament was double elimination, and Ballin’ had no losses, but on rebuttal Ballin’s anchor, Twin Lake senior Scott Barnes, sunk the last cup and sent the game into overtime winning it for him and his partner Williamston senior Bryan Lynch.

“I have a partially torn ligament from flag football,” Barnes said. “I feel bad that we couldn’t run the course because of it.”

From 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tuesday at the Finch Fieldhouse, Pong 101 is being held to raise money for the United Way of Isabella County.

This charitable event, organized by RPL 430 students, will consist of water pong, and a non-alcoholic course for the last two teams filled with pong, dizzy bat, flippy cup and the ROTC blow-up obstacle.

“There were two things that we had to keep in mind,” said Traverse City junior Allison Balow. “One was to raise money, and the other was to give it to a non-profit organization.”

The groups will be made into two-man teams.

“There needs to be at least 16 teams, because eight isn’t really enough for a single elimination bracket,” said Holton junior Aaron Coon.

Some things have even been changed to increase the amount of people not only playing but watching as well.

“We’ve lowered the price of entry fee down to $6 per person instead of $10,” Coon said.

With $12 per team more manageable, the group running the charity event also considered the price of the audience. At first just being able to watch in the balcony at Finch Fieldhouse would cost all spectators $1. Now they have all been given free entry.

“We’ve been thinking that it would just be more of a party atmosphere with the spectators down near the table cheering for their team,” Balow said.

With the change in cost, also came a change in their goal. From $300 to $400, the goal had fallen to $200. However, a raffle is taking place during the night for $1.

The winner and runner-up are battling for sports tickets.

The winner gets to pick between a pair of Red Wings and Pistons tickets, Balow said. Runner-up gets the tickets the other team didn’t pick.

In the past the class has held different charity events, such as a golf tournament that raised more than $3,000. Since the spring of 2005, the class taught by Tim Otteman, assistant professor in the Recreation Parks and Leisure Services, there have been 24 programs that have raised more than $51,000.

“There have been 5K walks, Madden and poker tournaments,” Otteman said. “It’s a neat thing what they’re doing this year, turning what is usually a negative thing, into a positive one.”

Students can sign up before the event, but signing up ahead of time is preferred. Contact Balow at (989) 274-4835.