About the United Way of Union County The mission of the United Way of Union County is to improve the lives of people within our community by raising, collecting, and distributing funds. The volunteers and staff of the United Way of Union County work hard to accomplish this mission by constantly seeking ways to help meet the needs of the residents of Union County. Browse this page to learn more about our 2003 Campaign Officers, our Board of Trustees, the United Way logo, and our History. Officers for the 2003-04 Campaign Year The following volunteers were elected by the Board of Trustees to lead the United Way through the 2003-04 campaign: Officers for the 2003-2004 Campaign year. From left to right: John Michel, Michele Mercer, Brien Dickson, Brad Gibson, and Bill Sallee. Not pictured: Avanelle Oberlin and Brady Waltz. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Brad Gibson, President Brien Dickson, 1st Vice President John Michel, 2nd Vice President Bill Sallee, Past President Brady Waltz, Treasurer John Waite, Assistant Treasurer Avanelle Oberlin, Secretary Michele Mercer, Assistant Secretary Darren Brown John Collier Betty Hoile Dianna Keller Cheryl McCreary John Popio Derric Brown Anne Daniel Nancy Jillisky Cindy Leibold Barb Nicol Jack Schimmel Ken Theiss

About the United Way Logo The United Way logo is very visible. It is displayed at health-care facilities, day-care centers, neighborhood human-services organizations, and on United Way products. But what does it mean? The message is simple, but universal. The bottom is a helping hand symbolizing United Way’s support of services and programs that in turn support the people in local communities. The center image, based on the universal symbol of mankind, is cradled by the helping hand. It indicates that United Way cares about all people, everywhere. The rainbow overhead, emerging from the hand to shelter the figure, represents hope for a better tomorrow.

History of the United Way of Union County The United Way of Union County was incorporated as The United Appeals Fund of Union County, Inc. on December 4, 1958. According to the original constitution this Corporation was founded “to mobilize and stimulate the interest and participation of the citizens of Union County in behalf of worthy educational, character building, health and welfare organizations, whether local, regional, national or international.” The United Appeals set out “to generally stimulate local public interest in social service and health programs; to solicit and receive contributions for member agencies; to allocate and distribute to member agencies funds raised and to promote cooperation not only among member agencies but among all such organizations of Union County.” An additional purpose of the organization was “to promote efficiency by providing a means through which annual contributions can be made in one gift, by reducing the expense of raising funds through a cooperative appeal, by conserving manpower through the elmination of duplication of time and effort, by reducing to a minimum multiple fund-raising efforts.” The 1958 Campaign goal was set at $35,000.00 to support seven member agencies. The first agencies and allocations were: American Red Cross -- $7303.00 Boy Scouts -- $4430.00 Girl Scouts -- $1613.00 School for Retarded Children -- $3100.00 The Salvation Army -- $4000.00 Union County Cancer Society -- $3000.00 Union County Civil Defense -- $500.00 Union County Mental Health Association -- $3410.00 These five agencies continue to be United Way Member Agencies. Historically, this United Way has been able to attract volunteers that represent all of Union County. The following Board of Directors from 1960 included both officers and public members. Officers Charles Adams, Richwood, President Mrs. Verne Howard, Milford Center, Vice President Walter Herd, Marysville, Second Vice President Charles B. Mills, Marysville, Treasurer Wilfred I. Tuffin, Marysville, Assistant Treasurer Mrs. John Feenstra, Executive Secretary Willis B. Shearer, 1960 Campaign Chairman Public Members Herbert Conns, Washington Township Judge Robert Evans, Richwood F.T. Gaumer, Marysville Marvin Greenbaum, Plain City Mrs. Kermit Mills, Marysville Ralph F.E. Nicol, Darby Township Arno Renner, Millcreek Township Burl Ridgeway, Milford Center Mrs. Merle Skidmore, Liberty Township Rev. David P. Thompson, Marysville The name of the United Appeals Fund of Union County, Inc. was officially changed October 21, 1982 to the United Way of Union County, Inc. Today the United Way of Union County serves 23 member agencies that in turn provide services to over 20,000 Union County residents each year. The variety of services range from helping those in urgent need to helping young people build strong character to helping senior citizens remain independent, etc. The newest member agencies are Loving Care Hospice, Personal Needs Pantry, and Wings Enrichment Center. Also new in 2000 is the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Committee. In recent years, the United Way has been able to provide grants to help bring additional services into Union County.

For more information about the United Way of Union County, please eMail Shari Marsh or Dave Bezusko or call at (937) 644-8381.