{"id":9555,"date":"2026-07-01T14:12:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/?post_type=impact_story&#038;p=9555"},"modified":"2026-07-02T12:35:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T16:35:45","slug":"good-music-great-sneakers-lasting-impact","status":"publish","type":"impact_story","link":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/good-music-great-sneakers-lasting-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Good Music, Great Sneakers, Lasting Impact"},"template":"","class_list":["post-9555","impact_story","type-impact_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-basic-needs"],"acf":{"details":{"featured_image":9560,"quote":"This is a great cause and a wonderful way to give back.","citation":"Julianne Phillips","topic":[166],"program_theme":[131],"button_text":"Read More"},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_impact_story_hero","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_impact_story_hero":{"kicker_text":"","heading":"","summary":"","image":9560,"cta":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"For many families, the holiday season begins with excitement. It also begins with added strain on already stretched budgets.\r\n\r\nAs the costs of necessities like housing, groceries, transportation and child care rise, parents face difficult decisions about what they can afford. For some, holiday gifts are the first thing to fall off the list.\r\n\r\nFor over 30 years, Labor of Love \u2013 United Way for Southeastern Michigan\u2019s annual holiday giving program \u2013 has helped ease the burden, ensuring children across Washtenaw and Wayne counties experience the joy of the season despite their family\u2019s circumstances.\r\n\r\nThat mission took center stage at this year\u2019s Sneaker Ball, where labor leaders, union members and supporters gathered to celebrate three decades of impact and raise critical funds to bring more smiles to local children during Labor of Love and beyond.\r\n\r\n\u201cTonight is about making sure our young people are able to have a happy holiday filled with love,\u201d said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president &amp; CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. \u201cThat\u2019s really essential, especially in the times we find ourselves in now.\u201d\r\n\r\nLast year, Labor of Love provided gifts to 86 children across Wayne and Washtenaw counties \u2013 a record number. From bikes and helmets to dolls and accessories, each gift delivered a powerful message of community support.","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image":{"image":9556,"helper_width":"wide"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<h2>A SHARED COMMITMENT<\/h2>\r\nHeld at the Detroit Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center, the annual Sneaker Ball event in support of Labor of Love honors the longstanding partnership between United Way and labor, which is rooted in a shared commitment to strengthening communities and supporting local families.\r\n\r\nUnited Way Board Member and Business Agent for IBEW Local 58 Byron Osbern took home the Best Male Sneaker trophy for his colorful Nikes and shared a powerful message about his mission on the board.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs a first-year board member, I look forward to being a valuable voice, helping to build stronger partnerships between labor, business, and the community while ensuring that every child has access to opportunities that help them thrive,\u201d said Byron.\r\n\r\nMore than 85 years ago, labor and business leaders pioneered the nation\u2019s first workplace giving campaigns, creating a model for collective action that still continues to this day.\r\n\r\nLabor contributions currently make up about 40% of our workplace fundraising \u2013 enabling us to help families keep food on the table, keep the lights on, access free summer learning programs and so much more.\r\n\r\nAnd labor\u2019s commitment to working families goes well beyond donations. Over the past year, nearly 347 union members have logged over 3,861 volunteer hours on multiple projects, including food distribution and reading to youth.","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image":{"image":9557,"helper_width":"wide"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<h2>SNEAKERS STEAL THE SHOW<\/h2>\r\nAfter reflecting on 30 years of impact, Sneaker Ball guests enjoyed delicious food, photo booths, lively music and VIP experiences while showing off an enviable array of fun footwear.\r\n\r\nBest Female Sneaker award went to Melvina Lewis, a longtime United Way donor and volunteer for her towering black and white platform Gucci sneakers. While they didn\u2019t win, Genevieve Taylor\u2019s custom United Way Converse sneakers garnered applause and cheers throughout the night.\r\n\r\nJulianne Phillips saw a post about Sneaker Ball on Facebook and knew she had to sign up \u2013 despite her affinity for high heels.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis seemed like a fun event and it really is,\u201d said Julianne who first donated in United Way when she joined DTE in 1980. She continues to give annually as a retiree. \u201cThis is a great cause and a wonderful way to give back.\u201d\r\n\r\nLeah Gordon, Community Relations Director for the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters shared that she has experienced the impact of United Way\u2019s work firsthand.\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019ve leaned on United Way in countless ways over the years,\u201d Leah said. \u201cTwo years ago, when one of our apprentices\u2019 mom passed away, United Way stepped in to help the families with Christmas gifts through Labor of Love.\u201d\r\n\r\nLeah\u2019s story is proof positive of the difference we can make when we lock arms for a good cause. Through Sneaker Ball and Labor of Love, we\u2019re showing families across the region the ongoing legacy of United Way and labor.\r\n\r\nWant to help? Make a donation today to support Labor of Love.","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"rows":[{"images":[{"image":9560,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":9558,"override_caption":false,"caption":""}]}],"force_aspect_ratio":false,"lightbox":false}}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Good Music, Great Sneakers, Lasting Impact - United Way for Southeastern Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Labor leaders, union members and supporters gathered to celebrate 30 years of impact and raise funds to bring more smiles to local children.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/good-music-great-sneakers-lasting-impact\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_MX\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Good Music, Great Sneakers, Lasting Impact - 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