The Baldwin Center receives $25,000 grant, named a Champion in Action®
Pontiac – Charter One announced that the Baldwin Center was named Michigan’s 2011 Champion in Action® winner, in the food and nutrition category. As the beneficiary of this award, the Center will receive an unrestricted $25,000 grant and extensive public relations and volunteer support.
The Baldwin Center is a comprehensive human service agency supporting the citizens of Pontiac, Michigan for nearly 30 years. Its mission is to feed, clothe, educate and empower the men, women and children of the Pontiac community. Baldwin provides services to fulfill basic needs and provide tools for children and adults to gain economic self-sufficiency and personal wholeness.
Last year the Center utilized 3,000 volunteers to serve over 65,000 meals to men, women and children. Additionally, more than 500 families received four weeks worth of food, including items needed to prepare holiday meals. Baldwin also provided 170 low-income senior citizens commodity food items through monthly deliveries to their homes. Through five urban gardens and a 1,040 square foot hoop house, community members are able to harvest fresh produce year round.
“The Baldwin Center is an excellent example of people helping people, leveraging more than 3,000 volunteers to accomplish their mission” said Sandra Pierce, President, Charter One, Michigan. “By feeding, clothing, and educating those in need, Baldwin is making a difference for the residents of Pontiac.”
The Champions in Action program was launched in November 2005 by Charter One and WXYZ-TV 7 to recognize and support nonprofit organizations that champion change in our communities and work to address the needs of southeast Michigan. The Center is the 21st organization to be recognized since the program’s inception.
“WXYZ-TV 7 is proud to partner with Charter One to recognize the meaningful work of the Baldwin Center,” said Eduardo Fernandez, Vice President and General Manager, WXYZ-TV 7. “We congratulate Baldwin and look forward to working with them to help raise their profile.”
As the 2011 second quarter Champion in Action, the Baldwin Center will receive: A $25,000 grant in unrestricted funds from the Charter One Foundation Media coverage from WXYZ-TV 7, including public service announcements Volunteer support Promotional support in all Charter One branches and ATMs throughout Michigan Exposure on both Charter One’s and WXYZ-TV 7’s websites
“We are proud to be chosen as a Champion in Action,” said Lisa Machesky, Executive Director of Baldwin. “It is a privilege to have our program recognized for the hope and simple miracles that happen every day.”
Community leaders and representatives of WXYZ-TV 7 and Charter One comprise a committee which selects a Champion in Action each quarter for its work on a particular social concern. 2011 categories are: Economic Development; Food and Nutrition; Neighborhood Revitalization; and Homelessness.