United Way of the Lakeshore

05/29/2026

🎶 Summer nights + community impact = Parties in the Park! ☀️

Our friends at Noah Project are looking for volunteers to help make their upcoming Parties In The Park event a success. There are plenty of ways to get involved while enjoying a fun evening in Downtown Muskegon one week from today on Friday, June 5th!

Sign up and learn more: https://ow.ly/khrp50Z5kP3

05/28/2026

Our friends at Habitat for Humanity of Northern Muskegon are in need of volunteers on Wednesday, June 3rd at their Ada Ave. home build! No experience is needed to volunteer, and all tools will be provided.

Learn more and sign up at the link in their post.

Sign up now to volunteer with us next Wednesday, June 3rd!🖌️

Join us for interior work at 1351 Ada Ave. No experience is required; we'll teach you everything you need to know!😄

➡️Register here: https://habitatnorthernmuskegon.org/volunteer/

05/28/2026

We’re getting ready for our next Oceana County Mobile Food Pantry with Feeding America West Michigan at the Oceana County Fairgrounds on Friday, June 19, and we could use a few more helping hands.

These evenings are powered by volunteers who show up ready to serve with kindness and care. Together, we help make sure families leave with fresh food and the support of their community behind them.

Distribution begins at 5:00 PM.
Volunteers arrive between 4:00–4:30 PM.

This distribution is supported by the Urgent Needs Fund of the Community Foundation for Oceana County helping strengthen food access throughout Oceana County.

If you’ve got a couple of hours and a heart for serving your neighbors, we’d love to have you.

Sign up here: https://volunteer.unitedwaylakeshore.org/need/detail/?need_id=1224199

When volunteers show up, community resiliency grows.

05/26/2026

05/16/2026

🏆 We are proud to recognize Muskegon Area ISD as a 2026 Community Builder. The MAISD demonstrates every day what it means to go further, together. Through innovative educational programming, family support services, early childhood initiatives, career readiness opportunities, and community partnerships, MAISD works to ensure that every child and family across the region has the opportunity to succeed.

What makes MAISD truly exceptional is their belief that education extends far beyond the classroom. From supporting early learners and promoting literacy to expanding career pathways, special education services, and family engagement efforts, MAISD consistently brings people and organizations together to strengthen the entire community. Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, opportunity, and the success of every student, family, and school they serve.

Please join us in celebrating the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and their continued dedication to building brighter futures across the Lakeshore community. https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/heroes-celebration

05/16/2026

🏆 We are proud to recognize Shelby Public Schools as a 2026 Community Builder. Shelby Public Schools continues to demonstrate what it means to lead with compassion, partnership, and a deep commitment to students and families. Beyond the classroom, the district has become a trusted community partner through initiatives that support the well-being of the entire Oceana County community, including serving as a Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry host site for the past eight years.

What makes Shelby Public Schools truly special is the culture they have created — one rooted in connection, opportunity, and support. From student leadership and hands-on learning opportunities to inclusive programming and strong community partnerships, Shelby Public Schools works to ensure every student feels encouraged, empowered, and prepared for success. Their dedication reflects a belief that strong schools help build strong communities, and their impact continues to be felt far beyond the school walls.

Please join us in celebrating Shelby Public Schools and their meaningful commitment to creating a stronger, more connected community. https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/heroes-celebration

05/15/2026

🏆 We are proud to recognize U.A. Local #174 Pipefitters, Plumbers & Service Trades as a 2026 Community Builder. For more than a century, UA Local 174 has helped build and strengthen communities across West Michigan, not only through skilled trades work, but through leadership, volunteerism, mentorship, and service. Their members play a vital role in shaping the infrastructure of our region while also investing deeply in the people and organizations that make our communities stronger.

What makes UA Local 174 truly exceptional is their culture of collective action and community responsibility. From supporting United Way initiatives and Day of Caring projects to helping lead fundraising events, labor partnerships, and volunteer efforts across Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo Counties, their members consistently show up ready to serve. Their commitment reflects the very best of organized labor: skilled professionals using their talents, leadership, and teamwork to create lasting impact both on and off the job site.

Please join us in celebrating UA Local 174 Pipefitters, Plumbers & Service Trades and their continued dedication to building stronger communities across the Lakeshore. https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/heroes-celebration

05/15/2026

🏆 We are proud to recognize Trace Analytical Laboratories as a 2026 Community Builder. Trace Analytical Laboratories demonstrates what it means to combine scientific excellence with a deep commitment to community. Since its founding in 1989, Trace has built a reputation rooted in accuracy, innovation, environmental responsibility, and personalized service, helping protect the health of communities through high-quality environmental testing and monitoring.

Under the leadership of Brad Hilleary, Trace has continued to grow while maintaining a strong focus on people, both within the organization and throughout the Lakeshore community. From employee engagement and volunteerism to long-standing support of local nonprofits and community initiatives, Trace consistently shows that strong businesses play an important role in creating strong communities. Their culture of teamwork, reliability, and care is reflected not only in the work they do every day, but in the way they continue to invest in the place they call home.

Please join us in celebrating Trace Analytical Laboratories and their continued commitment to building a healthier, stronger, and more connected community.

05/14/2026

🏆 We are proud to recognize Webb Chemical Service Corporation as a 2026 Community Builder. For more than 60 years, Webb Chemical has built its reputation on reliability, safety, service, and strong relationships. What began as a small family business in Muskegon Heights has grown into an industry leader, while remaining deeply committed to the communities where its employees and customers live and work.

What makes Webb Chemical truly stand out is the culture they have created around community involvement and shared responsibility. Through volunteerism, nonprofit leadership, Day of Caring participation, and support for countless local initiatives, Webb empowers employees to actively give back and invest in the well-being of others. Their commitment to service extends beyond business operations and reflects a genuine belief that strong communities are built through teamwork, care, and long-term investment in people.

Please join us in celebrating Webb Chemical Service Corporation and their continued commitment to creating a stronger, safer, and more connected community. https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/heroes-celebration

05/14/2026

🏆 We are proud to recognize Consumers Energy as a 2026 Community Builder.

Consumers Energy’s partnership with United Way of the Lakeshore reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the communities they serve, not only through generosity, but through action, leadership, and a culture rooted in caring for people. From employee volunteerism and Day of Caring participation to grassroots initiatives like Bowling for Warmth and leadership support on campaign and board efforts, Consumers Energy consistently shows what it means to invest in community well-being.

What makes Consumers Energy truly stand out is the way their values come to life beyond the workplace. Their focus on caring, empowerment, agility, ownership, and collaboration is reflected in how they support families facing hardship, help neighbors maintain stability during difficult times, and encourage employees to actively engage in creating positive change. Their partnership continues to make a meaningful difference across the Lakeshore region.

Please join us in celebrating Consumers Energy and their incredible commitment to building a stronger, more connected community. https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/heroes-celebration

05/12/2026

We are proud to announce Lindsay Stone and Nick Scharlow as the recipients of the 2026 Changemaker Award. Lindsay and Nick are redefining what recovery support can look like in the Lakeshore community through compassion, connection, and an unwavering belief in second chances.

Together, they co-founded Life Align Recovery Ranch, a unique healing-centered space where individuals in recovery can find support through community, nature, and meaningful interaction with animals, many of whom are rescues themselves. Their work is rooted in the idea that healing happens through purpose, belonging, and care, for both people and animals alike.

Nick also serves as CEO of Life Align Inc. in Muskegon Heights, where he works to ensure individuals are met with dignity, support, and practical tools throughout their recovery journey. Inspired in part by Nick’s own recovery experience and Lindsay’s vision of building a community-centered ranch environment, the pair have created something truly transformative for the Lakeshore region.

What makes Lindsay and Nick exceptional is not only the services they provide, but the way they respond to community needs with action and heart. During the SNAP benefits pause, they quickly partnered with local organizations and retailers to rescue and redistribute food to individuals and families across the community, not just their clients, ensuring people had access to nutritious meals during a difficult time.

Their impact extends far beyond recovery support alone. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, they work to reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder, equip community members with overdose response knowledge, and create pathways for long-term success through leadership development and life skills training.

At Life Align, individuals are not simply receiving support, they are rediscovering purpose. Many former clients have gone on to become recovery coaches and mentors themselves, creating a powerful cycle of hope and peer leadership within the community.

Volunteers and community members who spend time at the Ranch often leave deeply moved by the environment Lindsay and Nick have created: one built on gratitude, compassion, accountability, and genuine human connection.

Lindsay and Nick are true changemakers because they see possibility where others may see limitation. Through innovation, service, and authentic care for others, they are helping transform lives and strengthen the Lakeshore community every single day.

Please join us in celebrating Lindsay Stone and Nick Scharlow and the extraordinary impact they continue to make across our region. https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/heroes-celebration