Issued Quarterly by United Way of Union County, Inc., 232 N. Main St., Suite I, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio 43040-0145 Shari Marsh, Executive Director -- Dave Bezusko, Campaign and Public Relations Director	Vol. 1, No. 2 (Summer 2003) Your United Way Makes an Impact 1270-AM airs Your United Way Today Survey Says! A Caring Investment, a Lasting Gift Union County Special Needs Council
Through collaboration and teamwork, your United Way makes an impact in our community Chances are, if you live or work in Union County, you know someone personally touched by the United Way of Union County. You might have a neighbor who receives a warm, nutritious lunch delivered each day by Memorial Meals. You probably know a child or two participating in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Perhaps a friend or family member has gotten medical help and support from Loving Care Hospice or the Union County Cancer Society in time of dire need. It doesn't matter if you're young or old. It doesn't matter if you live in Richwood, Plain City, or all points in between. The United Way of Union County affects lives. Our programs and those of our Member Agencies and other funded partners serve nearly 20,000 Union County residents. That's half of the population, or one in every two people you pass on the street! Seems impossible. But not when you closely consider the vast array of services that United Way funds. Sometimes it's just the little things that improve the quality of life, like paying pool pass or softball registration fees for kids whose families can't afford to participate in summer programs. Often, it's serious matters such as shelter and support for victims of domestic violence, emergency assistance, or Red Cross bloodmobiles. Our volunteer-based organization has been an important part of Union County since 1958. From our humble beginnings when that first fund-raising campaign raised just over $27,000 to provide for eight agencies, our efforts have mushroomed. So has your support. Thousands of people have bought into the good we're accomplishing. A volunteer Board of Trustees with representation from key corporations and organizations gathers monthly to make all major financial and policy decisions. Taking into account our growing family of 23 Member Agencies, more than 1,700 people serve as volunteers, bringing their expertise, contacts, and desire to make our community a better place. Over the last 10 years, our annual campaign has more than doubled - raising more than $700,000 last year alone. The power of these people and resources uniquely positions your United Way to effectively focus on the issues challenging Union County today. We can bring to the same table people who can work together to solve problems. Throughout our history, we've been defining gaps in social services and discovering ways to fill them. For instance, we've networked with organizations to coordinate services that better serve our youth population. We've established a Youth Arts and Recreation Grant Fund that enables children to participate in wholesome activities they would not otherwise be able to afford. Collaborating with the Marysville Victory Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the YMCA, we make sure there are places for kids to go for effective leadership, character building, and mentoring activities. Adequate child care and assault prevention programs are also made available through the Child Care Network and the Child Assault Prevention Project. As Union County's population continues to grow, its needs will change. But the United Way of Union County is committed to keep up with that growth and to continue improving people's lives by meeting those needs.	Increased services to area youth and senior citizens is a direct result of a successful United Way campaign. Over the last 10 years, Union County residents and workers have doubled their investment in the United Way of Union County.
1270-AM airs Your United Way Today If you want to know what's going on with the United Way of Union County, tune your radio to 1270-AM, WUCO. The Marysville radio station airs Your United Way Today every weekday at 7:40 a.m. and again at 11:40 a.m., Monday through Wednesday. The feature highlights United Way projects, volunteers, services, and its 23 Member Agencies. Station Manager Rick Wilson added the program to WUCO's daily lineup in May, airing it during the station's popular Morning Edition. The program fits into 1270-AM's long-term plans of increasing programming with local content. Each feature is about two or three minutes in length.	Listen to Your United Way Today 7:40 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. Monday through Wednesday on 1270-AM, WUCO
United Way's Dave Bezusko voices an edition of Your United Way Today in the 1270-AM studio. Disc jockey Matt Allen edits the program.
Survey Says! United Way looking for your feedback for ways to better serve our community The United Way of Union County is your United Way. We're seeking your input on your view of our community's human service issues. By gathering your responses along with input from other community leaders, we hope to find additional ways to make a positive impact on the human service issues facing Union County. Please review the following questions as fully as possible and respond via e-mail at unitedwayuc@imetweb.net or via U.S. mail at United Way of Union County, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio 43040. We'll print your responses in an upcoming issue of the Contributor. What are the three biggest issues that our community faces in your area of expertise? What is currently the most effective method of addressing these issues? What do you expect the key issues to be 3-5 years from now in Union County? Is the United Way of Union County currently impacting any of these issues in any way? How can the United Way of Union County have a positive impact? Who are the other "community partners" that could possibly assist in addressing these issues?	Send your feedback by email to unitedwayuc@imetweb.net or via U.S. mail to United Way of Union County P.O. Box 145 Marysville, Ohio 43040
A Caring Investment, a Lasting Gift: Why planned giving makes sense When generous donors think about contributing to the United Way of Union County, they typically think of giving a monetary donation or volunteering their time. But donating unwanted fine art or jewelry? Giving real estate or appreciated stocks? Considering revision of an outdated life insurance policy and naming United Way as a beneficiary? These additional options are now available thanks to a partnership established in 2001 between the United Way of Union County and the Union County Foundation. The Lasting Legacy Fund was created to decrease United Way's dependence upon annual contributions. Donations can sometimes significantly decrease during a slow economy. Endowed and planned gifts will enable the United Way of Union County to help local residents for years to come. "Many people have strong charitable inclinations but don't follow through with proper planning," said Dave Vollrath, Executive Director of the Union County Foundation and an expert in the field of planned giving. "Through planned giving, your gifts to charity can be maximized while lessening your tax liability at the same time." Through the United Way of Union County's Endowment and Planned Giving Program, donors can give more than cash to the United Way of Union County, including items such as real estate, stocks, insurance policies, fine art, jewelry, and stamp collections. You can even name the United Way of Union County as a beneficiary in your will. In addition, donors can set up an attractive charitable gift annuity, naming the Lasting Legacy Fund as the beneficiary. This can ensure a steady income for retirement and accomplish charitable goals. "Planned giving makes sense for people of all ages, but charitable gift annuities are primarily for donors ages 55 or older," Vollrath said of the investment option that has been available since the 1920's but has gained particular popularity in the last several decades. "The federal government has intentionally set up a favorable tax environment for charitable gift annuities so as to encourage charitable giving." The benefits are numerous: Increase your lifetime income by decreasing the tax liability on gifts of appreciated assets; Avoid capital gains tax on appreciated assets; Enhance retirement resources; Generate income tax deductions; Provide more for your heirs and United Way while saving estate taxes. "Giving cash or non-cash assets to the Lasting Legacy Fund is as simple as contacting our office and expressing your intent," said Vollrath. No two donors will find themselves in the same situation. That's why the United Way of Union County encourages families and individuals interested in establishing a Lasting Legacy to seek professional financial advice to tailor a gift to the method that best suits them.	“Through planned giving, your gifts to charity can be maximized while lessening your tax liability at the same time.”                   “The federal government has intentionally set up a favorable tax environment for charitable gift annuities so as to encourage charitable giving.”                   “Giving cash or non-cash assets to the Lasting Legacy Fund is as simple as contacting our office and expressing your intent.”
Agency Spotlight: Union County Special Needs Council (937) 642-0801 Tim Kelley, Executive Director What it does: Provides short-term financial assistance for people needing medical prescriptions, utilities, and transient lodging. Also provides quarterly funding to food pantries in Marysville, Milford Center, Plain City, and Richwood. Other Fast Facts: 2003 United Way allocation was $34,000. United Way money accounts for 100% of the agency's funding. 60% of budget helps people pay for prescription medication. Clients average age is 45 years old. Clients are eligible for assistance once in a 12-month period. Directly assisted almost 300 clients last year, not including help at the food pantries. Formerly known as the Union County Dental and Crippled Children and Adults Council. Volunteer Jim Jobe has been their treasurer for 27 years. Union County Health Department staff handles clients, keeping administrative costs to 0.02% of budget. "We're flexible enough that we can fill the gaps in the community where other agencies may not be able to help or have extended themselves to where they're not able to help." - Tim Kelley, Executive Director	Volunteers stock the shelves of the Marysville Food Pantry, which is funded by United Way of Union County through the Special Needs Council. Dave Burke, owner of Dave's Pharmacy in Marysville, fills prescriptions for Special Needs Council clients. Burke helps stretch the United Way allocation by saving the Special Needs Council hundreds of dollars.