GALESBURG, Mich. — Eaton has received the “Spirit of Michigan” award from the Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW). Eaton’s Galesburg, Mich., facility was the winner in the medium-sized business category (100-1,000 employees), announced during a reception at the Capitol building in Lansing.

“The Spirit of Michigan award recognizes companies that deliver extraordinary results in improving education, income and health in local communities,” said Scott Dzurka, president and CEO of MAUW. “The awardees are selected for their leadership and generosity focused on improving Michigan communities and advancing the common good through corporate and employee engagement.”

“As a corporation, we are committed to giving back to the communities in which we do business,” said Tim Sinden, president of Eaton’s truck operations in North America. “We’re very pleased to have contributed, together with our employees, a total of $550,000 in 2011.”

“In addition to contributing financial resources, this incredibly community-minded group is actively engaged in volunteer opportunities aimed at improving lives within our communities,” said Mike Larson, president and CEO of the Greater Kalamazoo United Way (GKUW). “We are grateful to Eaton and its employees for their continued generous support and leadership.”

Eaton’s Galesburg campaign for the Greater Kalamazoo United Way (GKUW) raised $315,000, up 31% from the nearly $241,000 pledged in 2010.

“The campaign was a true team effort that included raffles, special fundraising events and a family fun night,” said Joan Blanchard, Eaton’s United Way campaign chair in Galesburg.

In addition to the United Way campaign, the Galesburg Community Support Committee directed Eaton Powering Community Grants of $235,000 in 2011 and encouraged volunteering for many agencies throughout Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

Some of the agencies receiving grants and volunteer support include Family and Children Services, March of Dimes, The Irving S. Gilmore Piano Festival, Housing Resources Inc., Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Parent to Parent of Southwest Michigan, Gryphon Place, Junior Achievement and numerous others.  

In 2011, the Galesburg committee introduced the Adopt-an-Agency program to reinforce the connection between departments/employees and the agencies they are most passionate about supporting. The committee has also initiated an effort to unite like-minded businesses to advance key issues in the community.

The company also provides dollar-for-dollar matching of employee gifts to education, arts and cultural non-profit organizations.

GKUW, which nominated Eaton for the Spirit of Michigan award, raised $9.1 million overall last year, or $36 per capita. This made it the top fundraiser in the US for areas with comparable populations (240,000 to 270,000 people). Eaton ranked fourth in the area in terms of employee donations and had the highest percentage of leadership donors, with 12.7% of the Galesburg facility giving at least $1,000.