MIDLAND, Mich. — United Way of Midland County will launch its 2026 community campaign Sept. 14 with a literacy-focused volunteer effort designed to connect local residents with children in classrooms and family centers.
The “United We Read” initiative will bring volunteers into learning spaces across Midland County as guest readers. Businesses, organizations and individual residents are being encouraged to participate.
The kickoff is supported by Members First Credit Union and the Sleepy Dog Books Foundation and is part of United Way’s broader Youth Opportunity work.
Volunteers do not need to be educators. The goal is to give children another positive interaction with reading while showing students that people throughout the community are invested in their success.
United Way is also giving residents an opportunity to recognize local teachers. Community members can nominate educators to receive gift baskets containing classroom supplies and gift cards.
The campaign kickoff reflects a broader emphasis on early literacy in Midland County. Reading proficiency in the early grades is closely tied to later academic performance because students increasingly shift from learning how to read to using reading as a tool for learning in other subjects.
Community reading programs can supplement the work taking place in classrooms by giving children additional exposure to books, vocabulary and adults modeling enthusiasm for reading.
United Way of Midland County has a long history of pairing its annual fundraising campaign with volunteer service. The organization supports and collaborates with local nonprofits working in areas including youth, housing, food access, family stability and health.
This year’s kickoff is designed to make the opening day of the campaign immediately visible in schools and community spaces rather than focusing only on fundraising totals.
United Way officials say people can participate individually or through workplaces, service organizations and other groups.
The Sept. 14 event will also provide an early opportunity for organizations to build employee volunteer participation as the annual campaign gets underway.
Residents interested in serving as guest readers or learning more about the 2026 campaign can find registration information through United Way of Midland County.
