1980
The Van Buren County United Way (VBCUW) was formed in 1980 as an outgrowth of the Paw Paw Area United Way Community and the Hartford Combined Appeal. Preliminary planning to form the VBCUW began in the spring of 1980 with a request of the Board of Directors of the Paw Paw Community Chest to the agencies funded by the Community Chest. The 1980 fall campaign goal was set at $20,000 with an effort to expand the fund drive from a mail solicitation to payroll deduction. The 1980 drive succeeded in securing $12,500 in pledges, and $10,000 in allocations were dispersed.

1981
In 1981 Frank Woods, Bay City retired Michigan United Way Director, was hired as a campaign consultant. Also, in 1991 the bonding of the VBCUW treasurer was implemented. A campaign goal of $40,000 was set, and a goal of $49,276 was achieved.

1982
In 1982 Frank Woods' contract was renewed. Initial approaches to Covert and Bangor United Ways were made to unite with Van Buren County United Way. A motion to establish a yearly cash reserve account equal to one-fourth of the annual amount of funds raised was adopted. A goal of $50,000 was set. Pledges of $43,000 were achieved, and distributions of $37,660 were made to member agencies.

1983
In 1983 a Legal Affairs Committee was formed and new by-laws were adopted. The campaign drive raised $40,000, with $38,500 allocated to member agencies.

1984
In 1984 temporary office space at Hawley's Funeral Home was secured as well as donations and purchases of office equipment. Anglea Misner was hired in May to assume the position of clerical staff. A campaign goal was set of $60,000. A golf scramble was held the first time as part of the 1984 Kick-off Fund Drive.

1985
In 1985 temporary office space was acquired on East Michigan in Paw Paw. Representative Middaugh was appointed honorary Chairperson. A goal of $40,000 was set. A campaign job description was drawn up and pledge cards were developed. The second annual golf scramble and pacesetter campaigns were held. A $45,000 goal was set and reached.

1986
The office moved to W. Michigan Avenue in March. A policy regarding the VBCUW Board was approved to include agency participations. A goal of $55,000 was set, and $58,000 was pledged.

1987
A goal of $70,000 was set, and pledges were $60,000.

1988
Distributions in 1988 totaled $65,630.25

1989
In February 1989, Nancy Schriner was chosen as part-time Executive Director. When Nancy resigned, Maria Sinkewiz was hired as interim Executive Director. Jon Toppen then replaced Maria Sinkewiz as interim Executive Director. The campaign goal for 1989 was set at $90,000. The results for the campaign were $110,000.

1990
Claren Pahl joined Paul Toppen and together they served as co-chairpersons for 1990. In January Dee Ridderbos was hired as staff secretary. Toppen resigned in July 1990 and Edgar T. Britton was chosen to serve as part-time Executive Director. The 1990 goal was set at $120,000. The offices were moved to the Schuitmaker building downtown Paw Paw, at 219 Paw Paw Street.

1991
In 1991 Dee Ridderbos resigned her secretarial position and was replaced with Jackie Ploof in March. The 1991 campaign goal was set at $150,000 with the total campaign actual of $215,000 for 1991.

1992
The Emergency Fund of $19,884 was administered by VanCasCAP. Virginia Shumaker started working on an as-needed basis to assist Jackie with the campaign. The 1992 goal was set at $225,000 with the total campaign actual of $230,000 for 1992.

1993
Two large campaigns were realized this year with EPC coming in at $77,255 and Coca-Cola at $51,032. The 1993 goal was set at $225,000 with the total campaign actual of $291,000 for 1993.

1994
In June of 1994 the South Haven United Way began meeting with Van Buren United Way to discuss the possibility of merging with Van Buren County United. The 1994 goal was set at $325,000 and reached.

1995
In January of 1996 the merger between South Haven United Way and Van Buren County United Way was complete and the by-laws were revised. Virginia Shumaker took over the secretarial duties from Jackie Ploof, who resigned due to family illness. The first computer and printer were purchased for a total price of $1,495. The 1995 goal was set at $450,000 with the total campaign actual of $402,500 for 1995.

1996
The 1996 goal was set at $420,000 with the total campaign actual of $425,000 for 1996.

1997
The 1997 goal was set at $450,000 with the total campaign actual of $474,422 for 1997.

1998
In July of 1998 the office was moved to the new Schiutmaker Building at 181 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 4, Paw Paw. The Emergency Development Fund was initiated and transferred to the Red Cross. (Previously administered by VanCasCAP) The Emergency Fund was over $32,000 and assisted one-hundred seventy-two households in Van Buren County. The 1998 goal was set at $500,000 with the total campaign actual of $512,000 for 1998.

1999
The Emergency Fund of $55,012 was used to assist three-hundred thirty-three families in Van Buren County. Helen Sullivan operated the program through the Red Cross offices in Hartford. The 1999 goal was set at $525,000 with the total campaign actual of $581,408 for 1999.

2000
The Emergency Fund of $87,216 was used to assist four-hundred one families in Van Buren County. The 2000 goal was set at $600,000 with the total campaign actual of $672,646 for 2000.

2001
The Emergency Fund of $100,000 was used to assist families in Van Buren County.
The 2001 goal was set at $700,000 with the total campaign actual of $700,000 for 2001, with EPC raising over $280,000 of the 2001 campaign total.

2002
Alcoa acquired EPC and the impact was reflected in the reduced campaign dollars from employees due to cutbacks. The Emergency fund was moved to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) in Hartford to provide more room. The 2002 goal was set at $700,000 with the total campaign actual of $702,000 for 2002.

2003
In February Edgar T. Britton retired as part-time Executive Director. Claren Schweitzer replaced Mr. Britton as Executive Director. The Executive Director position remained at part-time. The goal for 2003 was lowered to reflect the downswing in Michigan's economy. The 2003 goal was set at $630,000 with the total campaign actual of $633,000 for 2003. Helen Sullivan left the Emergency Fund program and was replaced by George Sehy. The Emergency Fund was closed in 2003 due to lack of funding and the remaining monies were moved to fund Agency Partners.

2004
In 2004 Claren Schweitzer resigned from the part-time directorship due to family conflict, and Greta Williams as hired as the new part-time Executive Director. Many changes have occurred with the addition of the computer and bookkeeping has moved from paper ledger to computer spreadsheet, allowing for better and more reliable tracking of finances. The 2004 goal was set at $450,000 with the total campaign actual of $433,000 for 2004.

2005
Prior to 2005 the Van Buren County United Way Board was comprised of all Agency Partner's Executive Directors. In January of 2005 the by-laws were amended to have only one agency executive director represent the funded agencies on the board. A separate Board of Directors was created and would meet eleven times per year. Lindsey Bay, an intern from Western University, was hired and paid a stipend. With Virginia Shumaker's resignation, Ms. Bay was hired full time as a campaign and volunteer manager. Also, in 2005 Covert Unified Appeal agreed to become part of Van Buren County United Way through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This final move unified all of Van Buren County. The 2005 goal was set at $475,000 with the total campaign actual of $438,000 for 2005.

2006
In January 2006, Dawn Vander Ploeg replaced Lindsay Bay as campaign and volunteer manager. In April of 2006 the donation and pledge ledgers were converted to a new computer software system through the addition of Donation Tracker. Donation Tracker software allows more accurate reporting and year-to-year comparisons. In October a new solicitation method was introduced, “Small Business Blitz” where board members and volunteers go into each Van Buren County community and request donations or pledges of small businesses that do not currently conduct a United Way employee campaign. The goal for the Small Business Blitz was set at $3,000 with a total of $4,200 actual. The 2006 goal was set at $450,000 with the total campaign actual of $463,748 for 2006.

2007
In March of 2007 Greta Williams submitted her resignation. Lindsey Bay assumed the role of “interim” Executive Director until a new Executive Director was hired. Deborah Beyer was hired to replace Dawn Vander Ploeg, who resigned, as the campaign and volunteer manger. In September of 2007 Vera E. Tanier was hired as the first full-time Executive Director. A new mini-Grant program was written and the criteria set to offer $5,000 each quarter to Agency Partners and other Van Buren County 501(c) 3 human service agencies. The grant applications are peer reviewed pending the United Way Board final approval. The Mini-Grant program was designed to provide a flexible grant opportunity for services not necessarily a part of other community impact priorities. The total allocated for 2007 was $20,000. The October Small Business Blitz goal was set at $4,200 with a total of $6,600 actual. The 2007 goal was set at $450,000 with the total campaign actual of ($470,980) 2007.

2008
 A drastic down-turn in the Michigan and National economy in 2008 has created an increase in unemployment with Michigan at 15+% unemployment and Van Buren County at 17+  unemployment.  This created a higher demand on our Partner Agencies and a need for increased resources, while giving was down 7%. Our Small Business Blitz goal was set at $6,500 with a total of $3,660.  Our Kings game pace setter was at $13,530 and we started a new fund raiser called Golf Ball Drop. Therefore, we did reach 99.4% of our  $450,000 goal.

2009
We began 2009 with our first ever FREE tax service. With the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) we were able to help area residence receive over $458,000 in refunds. Our trained volunteers worked over 92 hours preparing taxes for low income people in Van Buren County. United Way also was able to secure a $15,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation to support the new food pantry on Drew Street called "Eleanor's Pantry" that serves Paw Paw and Lawton.

2010
Many communities are again facing federal and state cuts. We have been fortunate to continue supporting local programs with the help of our citizens. It is through partnerships that our community is able to continue thriving and moving forward. While the campaign was down from last year, Van Buren County United Way was still able to support much needed services in our county. In 2010 United Way took the lead in expanding the VITA Free Tax Service to low income individuals at over 17 tax sites. We completed 1,400 tax returns and 60+ volunteers spent hours in service to this initiative.

2011
In 2011 United Way held its third FREE tax service and became responsible for coordinating the VITA Free Tax Service for the county. With the Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) we were able to help area residents receive over $2.3 M  in refunds and tax prep costs savings. Sixty Trained/Certified tax preparers volunteered over 95 hours each. In March 2011 Deb Beyer retired and Cyndee Garrod was hired part-time to assume the duties of Campaign/Volunteer management.