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. 3, No. 1 Winter, 2005
In this issue: -- An Investment in Union County -- Moving’ on up!”: United Way relocates to larger office space -- Long-term tsunami relief on the way from Union County donors -- Donate those used printer cartridges to United Way -- Agency Spotlight: Girl Scouts -- Join us at the United Way Block Party -- Better Business Bureau gives United Way a "seal" of approval -- Update:  Housing program continues to expand
An Investment in Union County Fulfilling pledges: Where your United Way donations are headed in 2005 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. Figuring out how to do that is the role of the Budget & Admissions Committee volunteers. These United Way donors are in charge of allocating the undesignated funds received each year during the annual campaign. “Everyone here takes it seriously,” said Jerry Eyerman. “We’re dealing with people’s living conditions, and their mental and physical conditions.” Eyerman, a Scotts Company retiree, has lived in Union County for 41 years. He’s seen plenty of changes over that time that influences the input he makes in his second year on the committee. “When I came to this county it was a rural community and we probably didn’t have all the issues that have come about as we’ve grown in population and as our economy’s changed,” he said. “ I think that the role of the people here at the United Way is to sort that out so that the greatest needs get the attention and the proper amount of funding.” In January, the committee did just that. The table below shows the breakdown of United Way support for 2005 approved by the Board of Trustees. The process intensifies when the results of the campaign are unable to meet the requests of the Member Agencies. That’s when priorities have to be considered and tough decisions made. “There’s been a lot of vigorous discussion among committee members about where the real serious needs are and just how much money can be allocated to meet those needs,” said Barb Nicol, a United Way Board Member and B&A committee veteran. “Every time we’d make a decision, we’d look further down the list and feel like, ‘Oh my goodness, here’s something else that we need to address.’” As of January 20, $659,079.71 had been raised in pledges during the 2004 campaign. 32.6% of that was designated by donors to specific agencies and is allocated directly there. The reports of several workplace campaigns had yet to be released to United Way.	United Way dollars are used to support programs that make an impact, such as Red Cross bloodmobiles. Here, Bob Wallace of Milford Center donates for the first time at the Union County Health Department’s Blood Drive on January 18. Listen for daily reports on the United Way of Union County on Your United Way Today at 7:50 a.m., 11:40 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. weekdays on
2005 United Way Allocations Agency 2004 UW Allocation 2005 Request 2005 UW Allocation American Red Cross $106,930.00 $122,000.00 $106,930.00 Big Brothers Big Sisters $26,000.00 $35,000.00 $26,000.00 Boy Scouts $9,362.00 $9,500.00 $9,362.00 Child Assault Prevention $25,000.00 $25,000.00 $19,112.26 Child Care Network $30,000.00 $15,000.00 $15,000.00   Community Services $600.00 $600.00 $600.00 Consolidated Care $44,487.00 $44,487.00 $44,487.00 Girl Scouts $8,000.00 $10,000.00 $8,000.00 Legal Aid Society $6,300.00 $6,930.00 $6,300.00 Loving Care Hospice $20,000.00 $25,000.00 $22,055.95 Marysville Victory Center $12,000.00 $13,200.00 $13,200.00 Memorial Meals $30,000.00 $35,000.00 $30,000.00 Mental Health Association $10,000.00 $20.000.00 $10,000.00 Pleasant Valley Seniors $10,310.00 $11,000.00 $10,310.00 Richwood Civic Center $39,930.00 $40,000.00 $39,930.00 The Salvation Army New Agency $25,000.00 $21,500.00 Speech Language Hearing $10,250.00 $10,250.00 $10,250.00 Turning Point $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $20,000.00 Union Co. Cancer Society $30,000.00 $30,000.00 $30,000.00 Union Co. Family YMCA $26,000.00 $30,000.00 $26,000.00   Union Co. Personal Needs $20,000.00 $26,000.00 $20,000.00   Union Co. Special Needs $34,000.00 $34,000.00 $34,000.00 Windsor Seniors $6,594.48 $7,250.00 $6,594.48 Wings Enrichment Center $11,000.00 $17,000.00 $11,000.00 Member Agency Total $536,763.48 $612,217.00 $540,631.69 Additional 2004-’05 Donor pledges to: United Way of Union County Youth Arts & Recreation Fund $3,171.45 United Way of Union County Lasting Legacy Fund $111.38 Other United Way’s around the country $30,085.50 United Way International South Asia Response (as of 1/20/05) $525.00 Total 2005 United Way support $574,525.02
Long-term tsunami relief on the way from Union County donors Our hearts go out to the victims of the South Asia tsunami, but many feel so powerless to help because we’re half a world away. The United Way’s South Asia Response Fund is providing an outlet for local residents and businesses to do something to help survivors rebuild their lives. The United Way of Union County is accepting donations to assist with long-term recovery efforts in the affected region. Money designated by donors to help tsunami victims will be forwarded to the United Way South Asia Response Fund. The fund is being administered by United Way International in Alexandria, Virginia in conjunction with local United Way’s in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Africa. Not only are roads, harbors, and hotels in need of repair, but there have been disastrous losses of homes, schools, health clinics, and even the official computer files and records on which stability depends. Long-term recovery, United Way’s focus area, supports rebuilding lives, homes, businesses, and communities. While the United Way of Union County prides itself in raising money to help people in our own community, the scope of this tragedy and the call from world leaders for Americans to provide any help we can, made it natural for us to provide this option to donors. Donations can be made to the United Way of Union County Tsunami Relief, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio, 43040. They can be made at the United Way office located at 232 N. Main Street, Suite UW in Marysville. Donations can also be accepted online at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org.	The scope of this tragedy and the call from world leaders for Americans to provide any help we can, made it natural for us to provide this option to donors
Agency Spotlight: Girl Scouts Seal of Ohio Council www.sealofohio.org Liza Nichols, Membership Director What it does: The mission of the Girl Scouts is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service so that they may become happy and resourceful citizens. Other Fast Facts: 2005 United Way allocation was $8,000, (or .2% of its budget). There are about 500 active Girl Scouts in Union County. Was one of the original eight Member Agencies of the United Way of Union County, a partnership that spans 47 years. Thin Mints account for 25% of all Girl Scout Cookie sales. The carmel Samoas are next, followed by Tagalongs, the peanut butter taste sensations. Troops are selling Girl Scout Cookies through the end of January with booth sales coming in February. The Girl Scout Promise: “On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.”	Scouts prepare to climb to new heights, literally and figuratively, at this rope climbing clinic.
Better Business Bureau gives United Way a "seal" of approval It’s not everyday that a Union County entity is featured on the Columbus television news. But that was the case on December 7 when the United Way of Union County was included in an ABC 6/FOX 28 “On Your Side” investigation about charitable organizations that you can count on. Earlier in the day, United Way of Union County was one of three charities highlighted at a press conference at the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. The Better Business Bureau was debuting its new “Seal” program. Organizations that have completed the BBB’s Charity Evaluation process and met all 20 standards are allowed to use a BBB Charity Seal that identifies their organization as being in compliance with the new charity standards. “The United Way of Union County should be complimented,” said Kip Morse, President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. “They were one of the first to step up and meet the standards and one of the first to step up and say ‘We want to be a part of your Seal program.’ Charities that do that are going to help charities across the state when they say, ‘I want to be a leader in this program,’ and I think that needs to be commended.” Morse says the Better Business Bureau receives about 1,000 calls a day from consumers looking for additional information about local businesses and organizations. Donors doing their homework on local charities can now turn to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Guide for a listing of charities and tips for better giving. Of the 382 charities included in the guide, 62 met all of the standards. United Way is the first and only Union County charity to meet all of the standards. Morse says it truly does mean something that a charity has met all 20 rigorous accountability standards. “Once you’ve done that, that makes a huge statement that you have a commitment to your community and that you are willing to uphold the highest standards,” Morse said. “A donor should acknowledge that.” Organizations that qualify prove that they meet standards in how they govern their organization, in the ways they spend their money, in the truthfulness of their representations, and in their willingness to disclose basic information to the public. For a copy of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Guide, call 1-800-759-2400, or access it online at www.centralohiobbb.org.	“The United Way of Union County should be complimented. They were one of the first to step up and meet the standards and one of the first to step up and say ‘We want to be a part of your Seal program.’”
“Moving’ on up!”: United Way relocates to larger office space Same building, different suite. The United Way of Union County is operating in a different office space to begin the new year. Citing a need for additional meeting and office space, the United Way Board of Trustees approved the move in October. Remaining in the McAuliffe Brothers Building at 232 North Main Street in Marysville, we’re now upstairs in Suite "UW." The move allows United Way to conduct all of its business within its own four walls, including all meetings with volunteers and Member Agencies. Other contact information remains the same: phone number (937-644-8381) and mail (P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio). Here, Directors from United Way’s Member Agencies discuss local social service issues during their monthly meeting in January.	Joel Haynes of Malachi, Ltd. in Marysville donated his services during United Way’s recent move to help get the office up and running again. Malachi offers a number of e-business solutions, including wireless networks, security systems, and computer training.
Donate those used printer cartridges to United Way! There are plenty of ways you can help the United Way of Union County. But did you know that you can donate your used printer cartridges, help the environment, and help United Way raise a few extra bucks? Yes, one’s trash can be another’s treasure. In connection with Crawford Home Automation Systems of Powell, United Way is now collecting used empty printer, copier and fax cartridges from area businesses and local citizens. United Way receives $1 for every printer cartridge recycled. This program benefits the environment by keeping those cartridges out of local landfills and refills them with new ink for reuse. You can drop off your used, empty cartridges at the United Way office at 232 N. Main Street in Marysville or give us a call at (937) 644-8381.	send your comments to: United Way of Union County, Inc. 232 N. Main St., Suite UW P.O. Box 145 Marysville, Ohio 43040-0145 or eMail us at: mailbag@unitedwayofunioncounty.org
Join us at the United Way Block Party Community celebration on March 10 Who’s got cabin fever? The United Way has a cure for the wintertime blues. We’ll be celebrating another successful year with an old fashioned Block Party on Thursday March 10. The dinner bell rings at 6:30 p.m. at the Union County Services Center (the old K-Mart) on London Avenue in Marysville. This won’t be your typical Annual Meeting. Please RSVP to 644-8381 if you plan to join us.
Update:  Housing program continues to expand The fledgling housing assistance program in Union County founded last year by The Salvation Army is growing. In December, the Ohio Department of Development awarded the program a grant near $159,000 from its Housing Trust Fund for use in 2005. The additional funds will increase the capacity of the program meant to provide financial assistance and case management to those in danger of losing their housing because they can’t pay the rent. “This past year we were operating part time under very limited funding and having to turn a lot of people away,” said Kara Hill, Director of Housing with The Salvation Army. “This is going to increase the support and assistance we can provide. We’ll have more money and more time to help people.” The Salvation Army applied for but did not receive this funding a year ago. After a year’s worth of tracking the numbers and providing services for several hundred households, the program proved its worth to the State. United Way of Union County was the first to plant the seeds, awarding a $11,500 grant to start the program in October of 2003. Now it will be a full-time operation with the ability to keep hundreds of Union County residents in their homes.