Serving our Local Community

In our continuing efforts to raise money for our community needs, Eaton County United Way has partnered with MyChoice, a personalized coupon book provider that offers consumers discounts from their own preferred “choice” of merchant business while providing a continuous residual income stream for the beneficiary nonprofit for every individual who register and enroll in this innovative program.

Eaton County United Way is the first United Way to implement this program to offer this unique program to their loyal donors and local businesses.

The attraction of this partnership involves no cost or selling from our organization, especially for the people who sign up.  The agency will be engaging with loyal donors and their friends/family/neighbors to sign up for a free, personalized discount coupon booklet that delivers savings to their mailbox monthly for a year.

It’s a “win-win” opportunity for residents in our community.  The funds we receive will apply to our community care and everybody who signs up will receive great savings from their favorite merchant businesses.

Chris Ebaugh, Senior Representative of MyChoice, believes that local business are the heart and soul of America and partnering with the United Way is our way of giving back to the local community.

“The success of this program for United Way not only benefits the agency and the community, but has the potential to expand to other communities nationwide,” says Ebaugh who works with local business who benefit from this program.  “MyChoice gives the individual the opportunity to make choices to places they frequent or like in any community they may be traveling to both locally, statewide and eventually, nationally,” added Ebaugh.

MyChoice, launched in 2010 after decade in business as a fulfillment marketing firm specializing in coupon booklets based in Grand Rapids, services throughout Mid-Michigan.

To enroll for a personalized discount book, visit MyChoice website www.selectmychoice.com add the group code ECUW.  It only takes a few minutes, but the reward savings while helping raise money in our community is a “win-win” for all.

Weighing in at the Eaton Rapids Medical Center's Health Fitness Center

Workplace environments can make or break an employees choice of eating right and maintaining a healthy and productive attitude.  In some cases, a working individual may have a hectic and unconventional schedule which may lead to fast food lunches, skipping a meal or snacking.

During the last few weeks four companies: Eaton Federal Savings Bank, Island City Academy, Eaton Clothing & Furniture Center and Capital Area Michigan Works have taken the “Eaton Well” company challenge to heart through a healthy team competition inspired by the positive efforts made by local health agencies and other efforts toward improving our State’s Obesity.

The competition, which kicked off February 6^th and is now in its fourth week, is facilitated by Eaton Rapids Medical Center and Eaton County United Way.

To date, Eaton Federal Savings Bank has taken the lead each week as the members, who call themselves “4 Meatballs & a Toothpick” have weighed in weekly at the Eaton Rapids Medical Center’s Health Fitness Center and have followed a checklist which award each member points for eating a balanced and nutritional meals, exercising, mental wellness and participating “on-site” presentations by the ERMC Health team.

As a participant for Capital Area Michigan Works, I not only lost some weight, but have become very aware of what I eat and have cut out refined sugar, table salt and any bleached, enriched refined breads.  Additionally, I cut out all pop and have taken water regularly.

Other team members have praised the competition as a way to not only motivate their own personal goal, but to encourage co-workers, family and friends to jump on the bandwagon.

Healthy lifestyle and healthy eating is especially essential to children and senior citizens who might be impacted by obesity, diabetes and other dietary disorders.  Last weekend,Hayes Green Beach held a community Health Fair drawing hundreds of families of all ages to take part in health and support services offered in our community.  This is a great start.

The Eaton Well finale will be the final weigh-in on March 26^th at the Eaton Rapids Medical Center, where the winning team will be based on both the largest team percentage weight loss and the total points accumulated on their program.

The winning team will be awarded a $500 prize and a $500 donation in their name for the Project Fresh “Farmers Market.”

To learn more about Eaton Well, visit Eaton County United Way www.ecuw.org or call (517) 543-5402