United Way of Union County (Ohio), Inc.: Press Release

Honda drives United Way to 74% of goal
More help needed to push campaign over the top

31 October 2008

IWith political campaigns winding down next week, another area campaign is just heating up. The annual United Way campaign stands at 74% of its $840,000 fundraising goal with one month remaining after major donation announcements made this week.

$617,024 has been pledged to date with more than half of that amount coming in the last three days.

Honda of America, MFG. reported a combined associate and corporate pledge of $247,207 to United Way of Union County at an announcement ceremony in Marysville on Friday.

Honda associates and United Way volunteers and staff celebrate the $247,207 boost Honda of America, Mfg. gave to the annual campaign on Friday. From left to right: Barb Nicol, Union County Board of DD and UW Board Member; Sheriff Rocky Nelson, Union County Sheriff’s Office and UW Board Member; Ellen Pond, Huntington and UW Board Member; Ron Lietzke, Honda of America, Mfg.; Ginny Milburn, Honda of America, Mfg.; Betty Hoile, Honda of America, Mfg., and UW Board Member; Bobbie Jo Trittschuh, Honda of America, Mfg.; Mike Rose, Union Rural Electric and UW Board President; Shari Marsh, UW Executive Director; Dave Bezusko, UW Campaign & PR Director; Derric Brown, Mannasmith Funeral Home and UW Campaign Chair; Joyce Garrard, Union County Engineer’s Office and UW Board Member; Jim Cox, McCarthy & Cox and UW Board Member; and Denise Grow, Memorial Hospital of Union County and UW Board Member.

“This is really the enjoyable part of our job,” said Bobbie Jo Trittschuh, Honda’s Administrative Coordinator of Company Commuications. “We represent a large team of 650-plus associates who work to ensure that all Honda associates have an opportunity to participate.”

It’s pretty obvious that we wouldn’t be able to do a third of the work we do every year without their generous support.

60% of Honda’s workforce did give this year. Overall, Honda raised $1.68 million for United Way’s throughout west central Ohio. The near quarter of a million dollars coming to Union County represents about 30% of the money the local United Way will raise this year.

“We are indebted to the associates for their annual dedication and belief in our mission to bring neighbors and resources together to improve lives in our community,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & PR Director. “It’s pretty obvious that we wouldn’t be able to do a third of the work we do every year without their generous support,”

Nationwide Insurance reported a combined associate and corporate pledge of $101,433 to United Way of Union County on Wednesday. The Columbus-based firm has many associates who commute to work from Union County and designate their pledge to give where they live.

United Way of Union County’s Executive Director Shari Marsh (3rd from left) watches as Nationwide unveils its 2008 United Way campaign results. Nationwide’s Campaign Chair Anne Saxon announced that $101,433 will be coming to Union County as a result of associates generorsity and a matching corporate gift.

“This was the most difficult operating year we’ve ever had in Nationwide’s history,” said Jerry Jurgensen, Nationwide’s CEO as he made the announcement to a gathering of Nationwide associates. “We’ve had the worst weather losses this country has experienced in the last 20 years. We’re in a financial crisis that knows no bounds. And it’s in this context that this campaign has occurred. I’m very proud of how you’ve responded to this. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

On Tuesday, United Way’s fourth largest corporate supporter, Nestle Product Technology Center, reported pledges of $36,020.

United Way officials say that despite a lagging economy, donations to the organization to this point are steady with last year. Additional help will be needed over the next three weeks, though, to push the campaign to its goal so it can meet the increased needs in the community.

Residents looking to help may choose to make a personal gift by sending cash or check to United Way of Union County, PO Box 145, Marysville, Ohio, 43040 or can give online at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org. Businesses can make corporate donations, sponsor upcoming United Way events, or conduct a workplace campaign. Contact the United Way at (937) 644-8381 to get involved.

United Way dollars stay here in Union County, working in our community to address social service needs and improve the quality of life for all.

United Way dollars stay here in Union County, working in our community to address social service needs and improve the quality of life for all. The volunteer-based organization has been supporting local programs in areas of emergency and basic needs, youth services, senior services, and health and human services since 1958. United Way volunteers annually assess the needs of our community and divide the money raised among its family of Member Agencies (currently 24), such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, six local pantries, Loving Care Hospice, Memorial Meals, three local senior centers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more.

More than just a fundraiser, United Way is a valued community partner, collaborating with local businesses, government, non-profits, and individuals to solve pressing social service issues - large and small. From working to establish a safety net for those in danger of losing their housing to ensuring that children have the opportunity to participate in recreational activities, United Way is at the forefront of making an impact in areas that need it the most.