United Way of Southeastern Michigan traces its origin back to 1917 and the organization named Detroit Community Union, an agency that coordinated fundraising efforts to meet community needs during and after World War I. The agency continued under different titles, finally becoming the United Foundation in 1949.
After WWII, there were a plethora of social welfare organizations in Detroit and competition for donations was quite lively. Many of these organizations worked out agreements with major employers in which worker’s donations were automatically withdrawn from weekly earnings. This effectively locked out opportunities for other charities to do the same and, consequently, made resulting fundraising efforts even more costly.
To address this, business, labor and community leaders joined together to develop an economical and equitable solution by eliminating redundant fundraising activities and placing them under one umbrella. The result was the creation of the United Foundation in 1949, and one unified campaign that became known as the Torch Drive. Soon after, the agency took to erecting a 50-ft tall wooden torch each fall during its annual Torch Drive fundraising campaign.
That wooden torch burned a natural gas flame during fundraising weeks, then was dismantled and stored until the next fall. This went on for many years until the current torch sculpture was erected in 1969. This abstract aluminum torch was created by artist Dario Bonucchi. It stands 54 feet tall and was originally topped with a natural gas flame. In 2015 the sculpture was completely refurbished and the gas flame was converted to a 400-watt multi-colored LED light array that now remains lit year-round.
Today, United Way of Southeastern Michigan focuses on four key areas to make a lasting impact on families in need - Early Education, Children’s Health, Career Pathways and Basic Needs. With support from dedicated individual and corporate donors, as well as advocates and volunteers, United Way continues to effectively address the needs of families throughout Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties.
