United Way Workplace Champions were honored on March 4 for helping to raise over $880,000 for Union County and Plain City.
This year the local non-profit focused on making a 100% Impact in the community. Campaign dollars raised are then allocated to the 25
local partner agencies United Way of Union County (UWUC) funds.
Jason Duff, Small Nation, was the keynote speaker and emphasized the importance of empowering local communities.
Duff and his team work with companies, leaders, and investors to develop places, spaces and dreams for small towns. Small Nation’s work in Bellefontaine has transformed
the downtown and made it a Best-In-State destination.
“One of the biggest drivers for the success and revitalization of Bellefontaine started when the United Way and its volunteers
took an interest in seeing the town grow and be successful.” Duff said, “Growth happens when people are willing to give their time, treasure and talent here at home.”
Highlights from money raised by donors over the past year include:
Care United Events were held throughout the year including packing 37,000 meals St. John’s Lutheran School, beautification projects throughout the county including Daily
Needs Assistance by students from Tolles Career & Technical Center, and the refresh of two Born Learning Trails and the addition of a third trail Richwood.
Four Impact Area videos were produced featuring local agencies and people directly impacted and benefiting from UWUC funding
Learn United “Stuff the Bus” School Supply Drives increased by 20% in donations with new collection sites including Honda of America, Mfg.
Campaign Kick-Off held in September at The Union County Family YMCA featured speakers from many of our 25 partner agencies
13th Annual Run United Quarter Marathon/5K held at Glacier Ridge Metro Park with presenting sponsor Jerome Village and platinum sponsor Memorial Health; over $10,000 raised!
Partnering with the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library in an effort to reach every child 0-5 expanding our Dolly Parton's Imagination Library started locally in 2008 by UWUC
In addition, dollars raised from this year's United Way campaign helped fund agencies that provide services including food, shelter, personal needs items, peer support for
those recovering from mental illness and addiction, mentorship programs for youth success, senior engagement, and so much more.
“I have always loved that United Way stands for and supports the people who live on the edges and are often forgotten,” Dr. Phil Atkins, UWUC Board Chair, said, “United Way is a community
that lifts others up with not only dollars, but through service and engagement, today we honor the many people in Union County and Plain City that spearhead our mission.”
Scott Failor, Marty Shroyer and David Gleeson were awarded Volunteer of the Year Awards for their dedication as UWUC board members and longtime volunteers.
Numerous businesses and/or organizations were awarded with a 2019-20 Celebrate United Awards, once again demonstrating the community’s continual support of United Way and its mission.
The 2019-20 Ultimate Goal Buster, United Way’s top honor given to the most outstanding workplace, was presented to Liberty National Bank.
Led by Evan Smith, Liberty National Bank (LNB) had 100% employee participation. They increased their campaign by 38%. In addition, Smith, traveled to other branches and
encouraged giving to boost United Way campaigns in Logan and Hardin County. LNB’s campaign totals came from payroll deductions, a firm gift, and 100% profits from a silent auction fundraiser.
“Evan and his team took their campaign to the next level,” Corinne Bix, UWUC Director, said, “Evan exemplifies the definition of workplace champion, in addition to advocating
for United Way at LNB, he also serves as a UWUC board member and volunteers on our campaign committee.”
The Top 10 Workplace Campaigns are as follows: Honda of America Mfg. with $185,927; Nationwide with $121,648; Scotts Miracle-Gro Company with $114.094;
Memorial Health with $31,750; Nestle Product Technology Center with $27,188; Marysville Schools with $21,913; Richwood Banking Company with $20,500;
Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities with $10,526; ContiTech with $10,163; and McCarthy & Cox with $8,041.
“We moved to a simplified award system last year,” Bix said, “Together we create a goal with our workplace champions and award
Goal Buster Awards to those who exceeded their goal and Workplace on the Move Awards to those workplaces that exceeded the previous year’s campaign total.”
Six workplaces earned a Goal Buster Campaign Award and ranked in the Top 25 campaigns and include: Fairbanks Local Schools; Mental Health and Recovery
Board of Union County; Tolles Career and Technical Center; Marysville Public Library; UCO Industries and Union Rural Electric.
The Union County Engineer’s Office and the Law Offices of Allen, Yurasek, Owens-Ruff, & Spain, LLC also had goal busting campaigns.
Loving Care Hospice and Home Health was awarded an Honorable Mention Goal Buster Award as they were in the final running for the Ultimate Goal Buster Award.
“All of the employees at Loving Care participated in the United Way campaign and they exceeded their goal by 37%!” Bix said.
Jonathan Alder Schools earned a Workplace on the Move Award and ranked in the Top 25. The Union County Prosecutor's Office, Costco, and The Union County Commissioners Officer
also earned Workplace on the Move Awards.
The Union County Family YMCA, Meijer, Union County Family Job and Family Services, Honda Transmission Mfg., Moriroku and Bob Chapman all had top 25 ranked campaigns.
In addition, the following workplaces ran a United Way campaign and include: Maryhaven; Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter; Union County Chamber of Commerce Office; North Union Schools;
Union County Sheriff's Office; City of Marysville; Union County Health Department; Select Sires; TechSite Planners and West Central Ohio Correctional Facility.
The best workplace fundraiser award was given to Memorial Health with their Balloon Pop fundraiser and Kelly Heiss of Fairbanks Local Schools won most enthusiastic workplace champion.
Good Neighbor Awards were presented to the following for participating with United Way on special projects throughout the year. These include:
Culver’s of Marysville; Georgia Tobin; Eufinger Law Offices; Interim Health Care; Jerome Village Company; Adecco; LeCrone Communications; Mailings by Brooke; Midwest
Express, Parrott Implement; Primrose School of Marysville; St. John’s Lutheran Church & School; VFW 3320; Union County Foundation; Dave's Pharmacy; Minuteman Express;
Central Ohio Youth Center; Order of the Eastern Star, Mary Chapter #9; Active Healthy Lifestyles; and Dogwood Business Development.
United Way’s annual awards breakfast were held at Union Rural Electric and funded with the corporate support of: Liberty National Bank; Union County Foundation and Union Rural Electric,
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. United Way of Union County has raised more than $20 million for local needs since it
was established in 1958. 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.
Evan Smith (left) and Brian Moore of Liberty National Bank accept the Ultimate Goal Buster Award at the United Way of Union County's Workplace Campaign Awards event held on Wednesday. Liberty National
Bank (LNB) employees beat their workplace campaign goal by 38% and had 100% employee participation at their Marysville branch, 92% United Way participation across all of their branches.
United Way of Union County, Inc., 648 Clymer Road, Suite 313, Marysville, Ohio 43040-1661
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