United Way of Greater Stark County Annual Meeting Included Numerous Announcements and Awards

(Stark County, OH) March 29, 2018 – United Way of Greater Stark County held their Annual Meeting & Celebration on Thursday, March 29th at Kent State University Conference Center at the Stark Campus. Over 300 guests and staff members were in attendance. Highlights of the morning included recognition of local volunteers, along with awards for area businesses and organizations that went above and beyond to support United Way’s Impact BOLD GOALS in Health, Education and Financial Stability.

Results of the 2017 United Way of Greater Stark County fundraising campaign and FY17 audit report were announced and the FY18 budget was presented. Eight outgoing Board members were recognized: Kay Conley, Jackie DeGarmo, Linda DeHoff, Carrilyn Long, Karen Soehnlen McQueen, Christopher Remark, Scott Swaldo and Ted Swaldo. Seven new members were welcomed: Ann Hunt, Lucia Pileggi, Joyce Salapack, Ryan Schmidt, Denise Seacrest, Fonda Williams and Mark Wright. 2017 Campaign Co-Chairs Kevin and Linda Smith were recognized, and they thanked the staff, volunteers and generous donors for helping raise almost 6.2 million dollars. Of that, over 5.6 million dollars was invested back into the community to help people through funded program allocations, strategic initiatives and direct services. It was officially announced that the chair of the 2018 Campaign is Lucia Pileggi.

The United Way of Greater Stark County Board of Directors convened immediately after the celebration to officially announce the new officers. They are: Phil Francis, Vice President & Trust Officer, Huntington National Bank – Chair; Judge Michael Howard, Retired, Stark County Family Court – 1st Vice Chair; Sandra Rapp, Vice President & Chief Information Officer, The Timken Company – 2nd Vice Chair; Geoff Karcher, President, The Karcher Group – Corresponding Secretary; Mark Sterling, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Beaver Excavating Company – Treasurer. Board Officers serve a 2-year term.

United Way of Greater Stark County is always grateful to local organizations that reach significant fundraising milestones while contributing generously to the United Way of Greater Stark County Annual Campaign. They were honored with the 2017 Workplace Campaign Awards.

The Cornerstone Award recognizes workplaces that have achieved at least 65% employee participation. They are: Edward C Levy Company, Fulfab Inc., National Lime & Stone Company, Community Legal Aid Services Inc., Masonic Learning Center for Children and YWCA Canton.

The Trailblazers Award celebrates workplaces that increased their level of commitment and support to United Way of Greater Stark County. The Trailblazer Award Winners are: Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, LPA, Employers Health Purchasing Corporation, Fred Olivieri Construction Company, Gervasi Vineyards, Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems, Marathon Petroleum Corporation LP Ohio Refining Division, Sterilite Corporation, PNC Bank, UPS, Alliance for Children & Families, Inc., Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, Inc., Alliance City Schools, The Canton City School District, Canton Local Schools and YWCA Canton.

Pioneer Award Winners that contributed to the Annual Campaign for the first time are: Brown Local Schools and Rice’s.

Outgoing Chair Bill Cook presented the 2018 Gold Key Service Awards to Rob Pierson and Bob Fernandez. Dan DeHoff presented the 2018 DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award to Cyrus Harper.

About United Way of Greater Stark County

United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person in every community. The agency collaborates, convenes, and partners to support programs and initiatives that break the cycle of poverty, promote a healthy community where children are successful from kindergarten through graduation to a career, and where families have the tools, skills, and support they need to become financially independent. We win by living United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Headquarters are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.

###