GIVINGTUESDAY CAME EARLY - UNITED WAY OF MARQUETTE COUNTY
This GivingTuesday, we are rallying early to strengthen every corner of Marquette County - feeding families, keeping homes warm, supporting mental health, and ensuring no one is left behind. Join our early giving campaign because our community needs cannot wait.
This year, United Way of Marquette County is launching a revitalized GivingTuesday campaign focused on the whole community — ensuring that families have access not only to food, but to the full range of supports that sustain dignity, stability, and well-being. Our message is clear: “GivingTuesday came early — because our community’s needs can’t wait.”
Beyond the Food Pantry
While many resources this season are flowing toward food insecurity, United Way has a broader vantage point. We see that behind every meal served are families also facing challenges with housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, mental health, and senior care.
As Campaign Co-Chair Jesse Renfors explains, “The fact that we oversee 26 different agencies gives us a different vantage point. We’re able to see where some of these holes are and where we can plug some of these holes.”
Why We Started Early
“We’re going to get a jump start on it as well,” says Co-Chair Jesse Renfors. “We’re going to do this early bird situation because we just can’t wait around. We can’t wait until Giving Tuesday. That’s weeks in between. That’s valuable time and we need to get people on their feet.”
We’re becoming more and more aware of what’s happening in our community and it’s unfortunately going in a backwards direction. That’s why we really need to dig deep right now and help each other out.
Smart Giving for Maximum Impact
When you give to United Way of Marquette County, your dollars go where they’re needed most — across food, housing, health, and human services. United Way covering the multiple agencies the way that we do “is like one-stop shopping and allows us to get those funds to people that really need it with the most efficiency as well.”
Your Gift Supports All Essential Programs:
- • Emergency food assistance
- • Home heating and utility help
- • Senior transportation services
- • Mental health counseling
- • Childcare assistance
- • Housing stability programs
- • Healthcare access support
- • Youth development programs
Multiple Ways to Give Back
As Co-Chair Rebecca Bartelme emphasizes, “time, talent or treasure, right? There’s something you can do.” Whether you can make a financial donation or have some time you can give up this season, there are programs that could use your support.
Make a financial gift: Donate Online to support all our essential programs across Marquette County.
Volunteer your time: Explore volunteer opportunities and community needs at yoopersunited.com.
It’s also important to first check on our neighbors and make sure we’re keeping track of each other. How can we make that donation? How can we help grow our community and get them where they need to be?
Campaign Focus Areas
Our early GivingTuesday campaign educates donors and inspires action for all essential needs in Marquette County. This isn’t just about meals — it’s about building a thriving community where every neighbor has what they need.
Whole Community Support
When you give to United Way, your dollars go where they’re needed most across food, housing, health, and human services throughout Marquette County.
Early Action Urgency
We’re starting early because community needs don’t wait until Tuesday. Every day matters when families are struggling with essential needs.
Smart Investment
One gift supports dozens of programs county-wide, ensuring maximum efficiency and impact for your generosity in our community.
Lasting Impact
Together, we can keep Marquette County strong — every family, every neighbor — with support that reaches every corner of our community.
Connect with Our Full Impact
Our early GivingTuesday campaign is part of United Way of Marquette County’s comprehensive approach to community care. Learn more about our ongoing work through our 2025 annual campaign, which supports all four pillars of community strength: healthy communities, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.
You can also explore other special initiatives, including our Wings of Glory raffle featuring an authenticated Red Wings lithograph signed by hockey legends, with proceeds supporting our community programs.
Give Early, Give Local, Give Hope
This GivingTuesday season, join us in strengthening every corner of Marquette County. When you give early, your donation supports every essential program in our community — not just for the holidays, but for the months ahead.
Ready to Make an Early Gift?
Online:
Phone: Call us at (906) 226-8171 to make your early gift
Visit: 1414 W Fair Ave # 26, Marquette, MI 49855
Volunteer: Explore time and talent opportunities at yoopersunited.com
GivingTuesday 2025 Goal
Help us strengthen the whole community — together! Our early campaign ensures that hope reaches every corner of Marquette County when families need it most.
Thanks to community leaders like Campaign Co-Chairs Jesse Renfors and Rebecca Bartelme, and Executive Director Andrew Rickauer, United Way of Marquette County continues building the comprehensive support network our neighbors need and deserve.