56
businesses earn United Way Campaign Awards
Community raises over $831,000 in 2009-10 fundraiser
10 March 2010
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| Avanelle Oberlin, Anne Daniel, and Rose Arth of the Community & Seasoned Citizens with a box from the CASC Senior Food Distribution Program. |
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| 90 guests turned out for the Campaign Awards Banquet at Der Dutchman. |
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| United Way Board President Jim Cox thanks guests during his Year in Review address. |
These were themes United Way of Union County officials cited as the organization honored 56 area businesses and volunteers Tuesday, culminating the organization’s 2009-10 campaign that raised $831,488 for services that support 22,000 local residents. The amount raised by volunteers was within 1 percent of last year’s record-setting $840,000 total, allowing program funding for 2010 to remain virtually on par with 2009.
This was accomplished in a time when the Union County unemployment rate doubled during a 13-month timeframe and remains high at 9.8%. Speakers acknowledged trying times even for those who remain on the job in various workplaces, acknowledging that lack of raises, pay cuts, low morale, and other factors could have hampered donations.
“But all of us have risen to the occasion and really shown what this community can do to combat that,” said Jim Cox, United Way Board President.
For example, local government workers gave more than ever before, despite being embattled with budget restrictions costing them staff and salaries. Union County employees combined to give more than $23,000 and the City of Marysville raised a record $4,951. Marysville Schools conducted the “Campaign of the Decade,” doubling giving totals to $19,565 with twice as many donors as the year before. Honda of America, Mfg. once again raised the most money for the local United Way, sending $222,699 in pledges to Union County. Overall, 60% of Honda’s associates gave a grand total of $1.42 million to United Ways across the region. Scotts Miracle-Gro organized its most effective campaign since 2000, raising $133,103 for United Way. Nestle Product Technology Center had an average associate gift of $301. A 50 percent corporate match took Nestle to its all-time high in giving to $37,202. Memorial Hospital and the Gables at Green Pastures also reached record giving levels at $31,463.
“For an organization that relies on workplace and corporate giving for 90 percent of its income, this is truly incredible and inspiring,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & Public Relations Director. “It wasn’t easy this year. And you could have made excuses as to why you couldn’t support us this year. We thank you for making United Way a priority and for choosing us as your means to make your charitable impact right in your own backyard.”
“Thank you, donors,” said Luke Braun, United Way Volunteer Campaign Chair. “Thank you volunteers. Thank you workplaces and sponsors. It’s because of all of you that we can confidently say that we did all that we could to help our neighbors in their time of need.”
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For an organization that relies on workplace and corporate giving for 90 percent of its income, this is truly incredible and inspiring... We thank you for making United Way a priority and for choosing us as your means to make your charitable impact right in your own backyard. |
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— Dave Bezusko |
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Five workplaces earned a Silver Campaign Award for having 30% participation or an average employee gift of $100. These include Huntington, Union County Department of Job & Family Services, Union County Engineer’s Office, Union County Health Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
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| Marian Jacques of Community Action and Georgia Tobin of eMarysville.com. |
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| Mary Ann Conley of Marysville Schools visits with Kay Olsen and Michelle Pever of the Union County Family YMCA. |
15 entities earned Good Neighbor Awards for participating with United Way on multiple projects over the last year. These include AVS Properties, Best Buy, Central Ohio Youth Center, eMarysville.com, Jerome Village, Marysville Association of Realtors, Marysville Journal-Tribune, Marysville Public Library, Ohio Reformatory for Women, Parrott Implement, Plain City Druggist, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Union County Senior Services, Vineyard Church of Marysville, and Wal-Mart.
Four workplaces were recognized for conducting a United Way campaign for the first time. These included Jerome Township, Jonathan Alder Schools, Lowe’s, and Marcy Industries.
Three awards were also presented to recognize United Way volunteers from the year-end 50 from 50 Campaign, a grassroots effort that raised nearly $23,000 to help boost giving levels. These recipients included Marian Jacques, Jim Cox, and Charles and Zetabarbara Holcombe.
United Way’s annual Campaign Awards Banquet was celebrated at Der Dutchman in Plain City with the corporate support of Memorial Hospital, the Gables at Green Pastures, Scotts Miracle-Gro, and Personal Touch Awards and Gifts ensuring that no donor dollars were spent on the recognition event. United Way works to bring neighbors and resources together to improve lives in Union County. More than just a fundraiser, United Way collaborates with local businesses, government, and non-profit organizations to solve pressing social service issues large and small.
For more information, please contact the United Way of Union County at (937) 644-8381 or visit www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org.
Award winners pose for a group photo.