United Way of Union County (Ohio): a volunteer-based organization.

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About the United Way
of Union County
On this page...
-- Board Members
-- Frequently Asked Questions
-- 2006 Financial Snapshot

2007 Annual Report

Download the .pdf


When we say the United Way of Union County is YOUR United Way, we mean it! Local volunteers, representing you, are guiding our organization, making the policies, and allocating the money that comes in from the local fundraising campaign. At the United Way’s Annual Meeting on March 19, 2008, the new Board of Trustees and a new Slate of Officers were elected.

Board Members

Mike Rose, President, Union Rural Electric
Jim Cox, Vice President, McCarthy & Cox
Derric Brown, Past President, Mannasmith Funeral Home
Paul Jaeb, Treasurer, Union Rural Electric
Mike Heifner, Assistant Treasurer, Worknet
Ken Yunker, Secretary, Nestle R&D Center, Inc.
Betty Hoile, Assistant Secretary, Honda of America, Mfg.
*Luke Braun, Rea & Associates
Joyce Garrard, Union County Engineer’s Office
Denise Grow, Memorial Hospital of Union County
Doug Hoy, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Sheriff Rocky Nelson, Union County Sheriff’s Office
Barb Nicol, Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Brian O’Kane, Siemens
Al Philllips, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
*Ellen Pond, Huntington
George Spurling, Honda Marysville
Laurie Whittington, Memorial Hospital of Union County/Gables at Green Pastures
* denotes new Trustees


Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my money when I give to United Way? Your investment stays right here in our community helping our friends and neighbors in need. It doesn’t go off to New York or Washington D.C. or even Columbus. It doesn’t go overseas or someplace where you’ll never see the impact. Most pledges are not designated for a certain destination. Those dollars are allocated by United Way volunteers who spend hours visiting Member Agencies, evaluating their effectiveness and efficiency. They sift through budget requests and make informed decisions in allocating United Way dollars to the Member Agencies.

What happens when I make a designated gift? If you make your
pledge to one of the four Impact Areas or to a Member Agency of the United Way of Union County 100% of your money will go directly there. Maybe you grew up in another part of the state and want to benefit your hometown. You can do that too, by designating to the United Way in that community. In these instances, United Way of Union County keeps 10 percent of the pledge for fundraising and administrative costs—a standard amount agreed upon by United Way of America members.

How do I know that I can trust the United Way of Union County? The United Way of Union County has recently received
certification from the Better Business Bureau affirming that fact. The BBB completed a review of our organization and determined that it met all 20 of its new charitable accountability standards. In addition, the United Way of Union County can provide a complete financial report prepared by an independent auditor upon request.

I feel like I 'm being pressured to give to United Way. Giving is a personal choice. No one should be coerced into giving. But if we don't ask, no one's going to give. The goal of the United Way is to educate our community about the social services needs in Union County and to provide all with an opportunity to help.

I / we can’t afford to give to United Way. We are all feeling that there is less disposable income to give to charity during these uncertain economic times. The people who feel it most are the health and human service agencies. It’s a catch-22. There is less money being allocated to them, yet there are more people turning to them for assistance. We must examine our own situation and make a choice. Through the United Way campaign, we have the opportunity to spread our generosity throughout the entire year. By utilizing payroll deduction you can have a small amount taken each pay period. For as little as $1 a week, your generosity can greatly impact the lives of others.

I already give money to Church or another charity. Supporting your religious belief is important and reflects your personal religious convictions and your desire to help other people. But consider giving to United Way as a way to enhance your charitable portfolio. The benefits derived from our United Way gifts are vitally important to our entire community, just as our religious contributions are to our Church community. We have a responsibility in both areas.

I work for a living and pay my own way. I’m not going to use these services. Why should I support them? Services funded by the United Way of Union County support all members of society either directly or indirectly, regardless of economic status. The fewer people in need in our community makes our community a better place in which to live. In addition, you never know when your life or that of a relative or friend will be touched by a
United Way Member Agency. No one plans to get cancer. But if you or a loved one find yourself in that unfortunate situation, there will be services such as the Union County Cancer Society and Loving Care Hospice for you to utilize. Odds are that you probably know some folks who would benefit from your gift.

I don’t want to give because when I or someone I knew needed help, the United Way didn’t help at all. The United Way will never turn down people seeking help, but it is not set up to provide direct services to individuals. We refer people to our Member Agencies and funded partners, the experts in meeting the needs of the people. The agencies themselves determine eligibility and amount of aid given to those in need, usually in terms of government guidelines or established policies that prevent people from taking advantage of the system. The United Way raises money for the programs and services that can help the most people possible. They are listed in our campaign brochure and here on our website.

I read stories and hear ads about the United Way of Central Ohio that talk about different services than are offered here. The United Way of Union County is independent and autonomous from all other United Ways, including the United Way of Central Ohio, which is the new name for the United Way of Franklin County. They are operated by a separate Board of Directors, and service the people of Columbus and Franklin County. Information you read or hear about that United Way does not necessarily reflect the operations of this one. Confusion can occur because news about the United Way of Central Ohio leaks into Union County through larger media outlets such as the Columbus Dispatch and local TV stations. For accurate information about the United Way of Union County, look to local media such as the Marysville Journal-Tribune, the Richwood Gazette, and the Plain City Advocate. You can also browse this website or ask to be included on the mailing list of our quarterly newsletter, The Contributor.

Does United Way of Union County fund abortion? NO! United Way of Union County does NOT fund abortions or agencies that provide or support them.

   

United Way of Union County Financial Statement
December 31, 2006
Prepared by

Click here to view entire document in .pdf form


Your Pledge to Us; Our Pledge to You
Your Pledge to Us; Our Pledge to You When most folks complete a United Way pledge form, they’re pledging that a certain amount of their paycheck will be taken out and sent to us. But the United Way is also making a pledge to you: to use your investment wisely to make the greatest possible impact in our community. This is not a pledge taken lightly at the United Way of Union County. Much effort is made to live up to the highest standards of charitable accountability.

Each year, the United Way of Union County must prove that it meets 13 requirements for United Way of America membership along with verification of the status of 44 indicators that demonstrate it embodies the intent of the membership requirements. Working to meet the new 20 standards of Charitable Accountability established by the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio allowed another set of independent eyes to oversee and validate the operations of our organization. Each month, an independent CPA reviews our monthly financial statements and every year, a different firm performs an audit of our organization. In addition, United Way files the IRS tax form 990. Each of these documents is available upon request for public review and inspection.

Our most recent 990 is posted below (click below for the .pdf version). To review our financial statements or audit, please call our office at (937) 644-8381.

United Way of Union County
IRS Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (2006)

   

For more information about the United Way of Union County, please eMail Shari Marsh or Dave Bezusko or call at (937) 644-8381.


United Way of Union County, Inc. 232 N. Main St., Suite UW, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio 43040-0145
Phone 937.644.8381 Fax: 937.644.2512 Toll-free 1.877.644.8381