Loyal Contributor's Stories

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Ruth Amos

Diebold, Incorporated

Loyal Contributor of 35 years

For forty years, Ruth Amos has been contributing to United Way of Greater Stark County through Diebold, Incorporated. Coming from a very generous family, Amos learned at a young age that you should always share what you have, no matter how big or small. Amos and her husband have generously given to those in need both in greater Stark County and Lorain County over the years. While she has not been able to attend many United Way functions due to work requirements and her personal schedule, she does see a time in the future where she may be able to contribute more of her time. 

When asked what she thinks of when someone mentions United Way she recalled a quote that reminded her of her mother and how she lived her life. Amos said, “I know I don’t have it exact and I am not sure where it came from but it goes something like this: ‘It does not matter how many things you have in life.  What matters is if you made a difference in the life of a child.’ That is United Way.”

James Bower

Stark Community Foundation

Loyal Contributor of 43 years

James Bower has been donating to United Way since 1965. James has been acting CEO of The Stark Community Foundation since 1988 and feels that organizations such as United Way help maintain the social fabric of a community. He acknowledges that certain services that are provided by United Way, such as those to the deaf community, are usually forgotten because they do not affect the majority of society. What some don’t realize is that to the deaf within Stark County, those services make the difference between being provided an interpreter or having to do without. To most this may seem little but United Way does not forget the importance this is to some and they allocate their money accordingly. James has worked closely throughout the years with United Way; he even held the position of Campaign Chairman in 1978.

Lynda Duck

Aultman Health Foundation

Loyal Contributor of 30 years

Lynda Duck believes in United Way and what it stands for within the community and in the many ways that people are helped.  The programs United Way supports are very diversified and help people young and old. “My husband and I are involved with a special needs child and he is able to go to camp during the summers because of United Way.  We appreciate United Way giving this child opportunities and experiences he would not otherwise have had.”

Linda Harsh

Kent State University – Stark Campus

Loyal Contributor of 40 years

Linda Harsh, who has worked at Kent Stark for 43 years, has been giving to United Way for many years. Linda explained that her reason for donating to United Way is that, through her church, she has met many people who are needy and have counted on the services of some United Way agencies.  United Way made it possible for Linda to give to those individual without embarrassing them.  “I have been fortunate enough to have the money to contribute through payroll deduction, which makes giving almost painless!  We never know when we will be the people needing assistance, especially in this time of economic upheaval.”

Maurice Oatley

Aultman Health Foundation

Loyal Contributor of 49 years

In 1959, Maurice Oatley graduated from Manchester College and began working for Kroger. He immediately became responsible for a United Way campaign and has been contributing ever since. “I thank God I started out my life being in need and others helped me,” says Oatley. “Now I am fortunate enough to help others."

Since his retirement, Oatley has been working for Aultman Health Foundation. He and his wife Linda, who works for Trillium, still continue to give to United Way every year. “I think United Way does the best job of supporting people of need in the whole community. I don’t really give to other charities, I give to United Way. “ Oatley went on to express that part of the reason he feels so passionately about United Way is because the people involved always have considerable credibility, which he feels is extremely important in any organization. He also thinks that it is very beneficial that people are now seeing where their money is going, especially where youth is concerned.

"If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times, I have been living here well over 40 years and in Stark County we take care of our own,” declared Oatley. ”We have United Way, we have Trillium, we have The Hoover Foundation. Stark County is a wonderful place to live because we alleviate the suffering of others but we do it behind the scenes. It is done neighbor with neighbor, family with family. We take care of our people here and it warms my heart.”

Joann Smith

Kent State University - Stark Campus

Loyal Contributor of 35 years

Born and raised in Canton, Joann Smith has been donating to United Way since 1973. Not only does she financially contribute to the community, Joann also feels that it is important to volunteer one’s time and talents. She has been volunteering with the Hall of Fame Festival since 1989.  Joann still chairs the Ribs Burnoff Judging Committee and the Special Events Committee at the Hall of Fame.  She has organized many fundraisers for Lehman Middle School where she taught for most of her teaching career.  She continues to organize fundraisers as well for Voices of Canton. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Canton Student Loan Foundation.

“We who have had successful careers owe to those who have paved the way for us,” explains Joann. “We didn’t do it on our own.  We had a support system.  Much like that, many in our community have obstacles in their lives that impede their progress and they need a support system.  I believe United Way serves as that support system.  That’s why I give to United Way every year.  No one knows when he or she may find themselves in need of that support.  I want United Way to be there.”

Jean Tondola-Smith

United Way of Greater Stark County

Loyal Contributor of 42 years

Jean Tondola-Smith, a United Way of Greater Stark County employee, has been giving to the organization for forty-two years.  Along with her donations, she attends events in which the United Way of Greater Stark County hosts. Her favorite agency is the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Massillon. She has been going to their activities since she began working for United Way. Smith believes that it gives children a place to go after school and it helps get them off the streets.

“I have worked with a lot of agencies,” says Smith. “I believe that all agencies have their own specialty and all of them help in some way. Personally, The Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Massillon touches my heart the most, and that’s different for everyone. All agencies are needed and good and all of them need funding. What I look for in an agency is what is the most needed in the community and who is going to get the most out of the funding we can provide for them. “

"Everyone knows about the Girl Scouts and the YMCA but we do so much more than that. “