It's been a week of anticipation, excitement and pageantry. It's not every day that the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses make a visit to town and as the events have unfolded up in Fremont as well as in Muskegon, the ability to gather and see the spectacle in person has been great and the idea behind the appearances too has been one of dignity and honor. It's been building up to Veterans Day and to celebrate the heroes of not only the military, but the frontline heroes we've seen give so much all through the last nearly 2 years. We will never forget the times we've lived through and a moment to stop and observe is certainly in order.
With that, this leads up to a program that's launching through the United Way of the Lakeshore that will become part of their work for a long time to come. Heroes United is being put into place in the Muskegon area. In fact, this program focused on vets is only happening in 25 other markets nationwide and the pinpoint focus on this is to take the assets and ability of the United Way and find out what our vets need the most and how the United Way can best meet those needs with the United Way's ability to help the programs that effect vets directly. Maybe it's funding toward groups that vets can go to? Possibly funding toward housing or medical needs? Maybe it's food? The ways that the United Way weaves their knowledge and outreach throughout the community is second to none and with this focus on those who went ahead and were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, it's a pretty amazing and exciting way not only to say thank you to those who served, it's a way for all of us to show that we are so very fortunate to live in a community that cares. 
Heroes United - Learn More - Get Involved
One of the things The United Way will be in need of through this campaign? Ideas! The United Way will have suggestion cards around Mercy Heath Arena tonight during the concert for people to offer ideas on what's needed most. Sometimes, it's hard to articulate what someone needs or wants, and it can feel awkward asking. Just jot a note down and submit it. The United Way will also be asking for some help along the way with this bold new imitative. Maybe some volunteers who can help with vets needs and understand the specific things that they've gone through. Maybe is a few bucks contributed to the cause, maybe it's a willingness to share the word about things when you hear it. It's a community based effort and the more hands pulling on the rope, the better.
Dominique Bunker is the Community Engagement Director for the United Way of the Lakeshore. We sat down to have her give us the 4-1-1 on all things Heroes United through the United Way. Take a listen.
Bringing the community together to support what's truly important. Be it the Heroes United program. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, The ALICE program, emergency food and shelter and more, The United Way of the Lakeshore strives daily to strengthen our community and the people in it. We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to our veterans and to see The United Way of the Lakeshore step up and engage like only 24 other markets are in the USA, that speaks volumes of the character of all of us. We hope that the lead up to the big new project with Budweiser and Tyler Sales was an eye catcher for sure, but now the work begins to take care of those who took care of us. Heroes United...that's what Muskegon is all about.
