DEARBORN, Michigan – City of Dearborn employees have a long tradition of contributing to United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and the kickoff to the annual fundraising campaign took place on Oct. 7 in front of the Henry Ford Centennial Library.
During the traditional torch lighting ceremony, Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. was assisted by Alaa Salame, a fifth-grader in Allison Dumke’s class at Snow Elementary School.

During the City of Dearborn’s annual torch lighting ceremony for United Way, Mayor
John B. O’Reilly, Jr. was assisted by Alaa Salame, a fifth-grader at Snow Elementary
School. Salame (second from left), was joined by her brothers Aimann (center) and Ahmad
(second from right), and her teacher Allison Dumke (right).
The torch will remain on display in front of the library for about a month as a reminder of the services United Way provides, which help those in need throughout Dearborn and the region by strengthening families, promoting health and education, working with at-risk youth and boosting communities.
The 2014 Community Giving campaign theme is “Because of You.” The theme honors people from all industries and walks of life who are working together on issues like education, basic needs, and financial stability to help United Way reach its goal of making the Detroit area on of the top five places to live and work by the year 2030.
Last year, City of Dearborn employees contributed $6,300 to the United Way campaign, which helped the organization raise more than $40 million total.
For more information on donating to the United Way, call 313-226-9200 or visit www.liveunitedsem.org.
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