Pillar Society Members gathered for United Way’s annual
Pillar Society Reception and Campaign Awards at Corazon Club & Spa in February, 2008.
Union County Engineer Jeff Stauch presents the history
of Union County’s unique covered bridges to the Pillars assembled on the Pottersburg Covered Bridge in September,
2009.
In 1996, United Way volunteers established a way to recognize the top donors of the organization,
creating the Pillar Society for individuals giving at leadership levels. There were 49 Pillars that first year.
Today, there are 269, who combined to give over $220,000 last year—about 42% of the individual donations to United
Way of Union County!
Pillar Society members are true “pillars” of our community, giving of their time, talent, and treasure to make
an impact in our neighborhoods and places of work. They are shining examples of commitment to our community.
“Being a member of the Pillar Society is an honor, but an honor from the standpoint of the company I keep within
the Society,” said Dan O’Keefe of Honda of America. “I look at the individuals who participate at the Pillar
level and see people from all walks of life. I see people who are committed to their community and desire to see
that all are given a ‘fair shake’ in what life sends their way. If my contribution makes the difference in just
one person’s life, then that’s enough for me.”
United Way Pillar Society Members mix and mingle Thursday during
the organization’s Picnic at Pottersburg, an after-hours social networking function ON the Pottersburg Covered
Bridge in Allen Township.
Membership in the Pillar Society begins at $500 and includes recognition in our annual Membership
Directory and invitations to social networking functions. But some Pillars say the best benefit is fulfilling their
desire to help those in need.
“My motivation is as simple as giving back because of the many blessing I have enjoyed in my life,” said Bob
Harriman, of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. “Besides the obvious good feeling one gets from donating to a
worthy cause, I can’t think of any organization that has such a dramatic impact on so many lives as the United
Way. The United Way is very effective at getting a big bang for the buck.”
“I give to United Way of Union County to pay forward the community that has been so kind to us,” said Dr. David
Applegate, of Marysville Primary Care and the Union County Coroner. “Maintaining the health and welfare of
any community is similar to your own health. United Way provides the nourishment to many Union County agencies
and it contributes to the health of our community. I would also challenge those who are comfortable in these economic
times to assess the responsibility they have to the health and welfare of their community.”
“Human history is full of incredible sacrifice, much of which was not a choice,” said Alain Darcy, of the
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. “I just don't feel like this is a choice either for anyone who can afford it.”
Pillar Society members mingle during a Pillar
function in December, 2008
Annual gifts qualify individual donors for Pillar Society membership at the following levels:
Platinum $2,500 and up
Gold $1,000 to $2,499
Silver $750 to $999
Bronze $500 to $749
“When you see a number written down like $500 or $1,000, it seems like a lot of money. But
really, it’s only $10 or $20 a week. You have to ask yourself, ‘Who needs that amount of money more?’ Is $10 or
$20 a week going to change YOUR life? I know in the hands of United Way, it could certainly change someone else’s.”
~ Alan Wilson, CPA 2008-09
2009-19 Pillar Society Members by Company
(as of 1.13.10)
Pillar Society members mingle during a Pillar function in December,
2008
Union County Engineer Jeff Stauch presents the history of Union
County’s unique covered bridges to the Pillars assembled on the Pottersburg Covered Bridge in September, 2009.
Pillar Society members mingle during a Pillar function in December,
2008
United Way Pillar Society Members mix and mingle Thursday during
the organization’s Picnic at Pottersburg, an after-hours social networking function ON the Pottersburg Covered
Bridge in Allen Township.
Alan Wilson, CPA
Allen Yurasek & Merklin (2)
Amos Press
AVS Properties
BuckeyeDJ.com
Cannizzaro, Bridges Jillisky & Streng (4)
Cardinal Health
Carrie Bezusko, LMT
City of Marysville (2)
Direct Hit Response Mailing
eMarysville.com
Fairbanks Local Schools
FedEx
Fifth Third Bank
First Energy
Good as Gold Promotions
Honda of America, Mfg. (54)
Honda Transmission (2)
Huntington (2)
IBM (2)
Industrial Ceramic Products (2)
Jerry's House of Hunan
Karen's Event Center
Kiwanis Club of Marysville
Marysville Journal-Tribune/ Richwood Gazette
Marysville Schools (2)
McCarthy & Cox (2)
Medco
Memorial Hospital of Union Co. / Gables at Green Pastures (14)
Mental Health & Recovery Board of Union County
Motorists Insurance Group (2)
Nationwide (28)
Nestle Product Technology Center (17)
Ohio State University (2)
Online Auction (4)
Park National Bank
Parker (2)
Parker Hannifan
Plain City Druggist
Residential Campaign (17)
Schulze Howard & Cox
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (45)
Select Sires (2)
Siemens
Technology Site Planners (5)
Union County Board of DD (6)
Union County Coroner's Office
Union County Engineer's Office
Union County Health Department (3)
Union County Sheriff's Office
Union Rural Electric (2)
United Way of Union County (2)
UPS (5)
Veyance Technologies (5)
Wellpoint (2)
Whirlpool
Willis Hilb Rogal & Hobbs
Wing Builders
1 Anonymous Business
Pillars enjoy Wine Tasting Reception
For Immediate Release :Friday February 26, 2010
Members of United Way's Pillar Society gathered for an evening of networking and fellowship at a Wine Tasting Reception
Thursday at Eldchrist Winery in Plain City. The event, sponsored by Eldchrist Winery, Memorial Hospital of Union
County, the Gables at Green Pastures, and Scotts Miracle-Gro, was put on without the use of donor dollars to thank
and recognize those who give most to United Way.
Approximately 280 Pillars (leadership donors giving $500 or more to United Way) gave over $250,000 to United Way
this year, accounting for approximately 42% of all individual giving to the organization this year.
“I just want to say thanks for a great night,” said Marian Jacques. “I had so much fun and haven’t laughed like
that in a long time!!! It was fun catching up with old friends and making new ones.”
Membership in United Way’s Pillar Society begins at $500. For more information about the Pillar Society, please
visit: http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/pillar.shtml
 
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