“Unexpected but very humbling.” That's how one local veteran described seeing a group of Wolverine Pipe Line Company (Wolverine) volunteers show up to help clean up his property during their annual Day of Caring.
Through an ongoing partnership with United Way of Greater Central Michigan, Wolverine employees dedicate a day each year to giving back to the communities where they live and work. This year, volunteers came together to clear brush and remove debris from the property of an Alma veteran. An Alma native, he was stationed in Germany from 1972 to 1974 before joining a local National Guard unit in 1976. Following a recent injury, the physical work had become increasingly difficult, and he shared that completing the cleanup on his own would have taken years.
Having a team of volunteers step in made a meaningful difference. While he recognized that others may be facing even greater challenges, he was incredibly thankful for the unexpected support. He also had a message for others about supporting local veterans: “It's important to help the ones that can't help themselves anymore. The right people in place can make a lot of difference for our veterans.”
It's a powerful reminder that supporting our neighbors doesn't always require a major undertaking. Sometimes, it simply means recognizing when someone could use a hand and showing up to help.
We are grateful to Wolverine Pipe Line Company and its employees for continuing to make community service a priority through their annual Day of Caring. We also extend our thanks to Gratiot Community Airport for providing parking for volunteers and Gratiot County Veterans Affairs for helping coordinate and make the project possible.
By connecting those who can help with those who need help, United Way of Greater Central Michigan is bringing people together to make a difference in every corner of our community. United is the Way™ we show up for those who served.
