United Way recognizes 51 workplaces for generosity Community raises over $863,000 in 2010-11 campaign 23 March 2011

For the sixth consecutive year, United Way of Union County raised more money than the year before. It credits, in large part, the 51 award-winning workplaces it honored at the 2010-11 Campaign Awards Banquet Wednesday at Der Dutchman in Plain City. Board Members Ken Yunker, Tony Eufinger, Doug Hoy, Paul Jaeb, Rocky Nelson, Joyce Garrard, Don Piche, and Mary Ann Conley revealed a total of $863,510 in pledges for the current year, besting last year’s campaign by $20,000 and earning 99% of the $875,000 goal. Click the graphic below for a larger version of the list of the top 25 campaigns. Board Members revealed a total of $863,510 in pledges for the current year, besting last year’s campaign by $20,000 and earning 99% of the $875,000 goal. About 90 percent of United Way’s dollars are generated as the result of donations made by employees in participating workplaces and subsequent corporate matches. Money United Way raises is used to fund 42 programs of 27 local agencies that are used by more than 18,000 local residents, including six area pantries, four senior centers, a youth center, two shelters, a program for rent and utility assistance, prescription medication, hospice care, cancer support, youth activities, and more. “In the five years I’ve been here, I’ve seen so much happen, so much growth,” said Doug Hoy of Scotts Miracle-Gro, President of the United Way Board of Trustees. “Things are taking root and becoming sustainable. That’s because of people like you, leaders in our county who have latched onto what United Way is doing and saying, ‘That’s important. We’re going to make this happen.’” Two workplaces earned Campaign Chair Awards, United Way’s highest honor of corporate philanthropic achievement. Nestle Product Technology Center increased associate and corporate giving by more than $12,000 this year, more than any other workplace, raising $49,941. The average individual gift there was a county-high $371. “Our champions at Nestle increased exposure to their United Way campaign this year,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & PR Director. “They scheduled multiple lunch-and-learn presentations, had some great incentives for giving, and the associates came through in a big way.” The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities grew their workplace campaign above the $10,000 plateau, an amazing achievement for a governmental office with an 80-person staff and no possibility of matching corporate funds. “In the five years I’ve been here, I’ve seen so much happen, so much growth,” said Doug Hoy of Scotts Miracle-Gro, President of the United Way Board of Trustees. “Things are taking root and becoming sustainable. That’s because of people like you, leaders in our county who have latched onto what United Way is doing and saying, ‘That’s important. We’re going to make this happen.’” “It’s hard to find another workplace with as much enthusiasm about United Way,” Bezusko said. “Their campaign doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles. It’s no-frills. But the staff believes in the impact United Way makes in our community because they see it first-hand in the lives of the people they serve. It’s as though giving to United Way is an extension of their work. And it shines forth in their generosity.” In addition to the Board of DD, giving throughout the public sector saw a big jump this year. Giving from all Union County employees increased by 29% this year, to $28,528. And giving from our four local school districts (Marysville, Fairbanks, North Union, and Jonathan Alder) was also up by 29% this year, to $34,936. For the 10th consecutive year, Honda of America raised over $200,000 for United Way of Union County, checking in this year at $215,938, about 25% of the organization’s total revenue. Scotts Miracle-Gro cleared $100,000 for the fourth straight year, raising $125,098. Local residents commuting to Nationwide in Franklin County accounted for $73,599. Memorial Hospital and the Gables of Green Pastures combined for an all-time high of $33,101. Click the graphic above for the informative event program. 34 workplaces earned a Gold Campaign Award for giving levels achieved this fall. These businesses have 40% of their employees giving to United Way, have an average employee gift of $150 or more, or provide a 100% corporate match. These include Allen Yurasek Merklin & Owens-Ruff, Bob Chapman Ford, Cannizzaro Bridges Jillisky & Streng, City of Marysville, Community Action Organization, Dayton Power & Light, Fifth Third Bank, Gables at Green Pastures, Honda Lock R&D, Honda of America Mfg., Huntington, Industrial Ceramic Products, Loving Care Hospice, Marysville Journal-Tribune, Marysville Schools, McCarthy & Cox, Memorial Hospital of Union County, Mental Health & Recovery Board of Union County, North Union Schools, Ohio Reformatory for Women, Parker, PNC, Richwood Banking Company, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Select Sires, Technology Site Planners, Union County Department of Job & Family Services, Union County Engineer’s Office, Union County Family YMCA, Union County Health Department, Union County Senior Services, Union Rural Electric, Veyance Technologies, and Wal-Mart. Two workplaces earned a Silver Campaign Award for having 30% participation or an average employee gift of $100. These include Fairbanks Schools and the Marysville Public Library. Three workplaces earned a Bronze Campaign Award for having 20% participation or an average employee gift of $52. These include Consolidated Care, Jonathan Alder Schools, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Eight entities earned Good Neighbor Awards for participating with United Way on multiple projects over the last year. These include AVS Properties, Best Buy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Central Ohio Youth Center, Cue Stick Café, eMarysville.com, Kroger, and the Marysville Association of Realtors. Marysville Primary Care was recognized for conducting a United Way campaign for the first time. United Way also recognized Charles Holcombe of Plain City for his personal fundraising efforts in the year-end 50 from 50 Campaign, a grassroots effort to help boost individual donations. Joel Steinmetz, Mike Heifner, and Barb Nicol of the Union County Board of DD and Ken Yunker and Rose Speicher of Nestle PTC at the United Way Campaign Awards Banquet Wednesday at Der Dutchman. The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Nestle Product Technology Center both earned United Way Campaign Chair Awards for their workplace fundraising efforts this year. The Board of DD cleared the $10,000 plateau for the first time, an amazing achievement for a governmental office with an 80-person staff and no possibility of matching corporate funds.. Nestle Product Technology Center increased associate and corporate giving by more than $12,000 this year, more than any other workplace, raising $49,941. The average individual gift there was a county-high $371. United Way’s annual Campaign Awards Banquet was celebrated at Der Dutchman in Plain City with the corporate support of Scotts Miracle-Gro, Memorial Hospital, and the Gables at Green Pastures, 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.