(Canton, OH) March 28, 2019 – United Way of Greater Stark County presented a new award, recognized community volunteers, acknowledged new programs launching and announced an investment of $6,000,621 into the community from April 2018 to March 2019.
$6,000,621 were budgeted in 2018-19 to help the community. Distribution was as follows: $3,601,088 Program Allocation; $1,865,537 United Way Direct Services & Impact Councils; $320,000 Donor Designated Pledges and $213,996 into Strategic Initiatives. Full financial report available at www.uwstark.org/about/financial-community-reports
Criteria for the new Inspired Youth Leadership award include: demonstrates initiative, leadership and creativity in their service to others; serves as a role model for others in their community; inspires others to join them in their effort; helps improve the overall quality of life of fellow citizens and the community in the areas of health, education or financial stability; engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of nomination; resident of Greater Stark County; and between the ages of 13 – 18.
Bradley Mull received the first Inspired Youth Leadership award. He is the son of Gary W. and Olivia M. Mull. Bradley is 14 years old and has participated in many collection projects that provided food and clothing to those in need including collecting 400 blankets for the Hope Outreach Ministry drive in March 2016.
Nominator William J. Lemmon of Lemmon Development says, “Bradley is a young man concerned about the need for warm clothing and blankets for the poor and homeless in Canton. His success has been amazing in my opinion and has allowed Hope Outreach Ministry to grow and serve its community.”
“As many of you know, volunteer work can be empowering and teach you many things that you do not have the chance to learn in a classroom,” says United Way of Greater Stark County President & CEO Maria Heege. “We believe in the passion and power of youth to affect positive change in their community. Volunteering gives them real-life experiences that provide unique opportunities which foster leadership. This new award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of young individuals, who volunteer their time and skills to better their community in the areas of health, education and financial stability, and inspire others to join in the efforts, creating the “multiplier effect.”
Individual community volunteer awards were also presented at the celebration today. Joseph Feltes, Patricia Wackerly and Christopher Remark each received a Gold Key Service Award and Angela Palomba received the DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award.
2018-19 Board Officers and Board of Directors included Philip L. Francis, Michael L. Howard, Sandy Rapp, Mark Sterling, Geoff Karcher, Rabbi Jon Adland, Elsa Cave, William R. Cook, Ken Douglas, CPA, Derek Gordon, Robert B. Fernandez, Ann Hunt, Eric Murray, Lucia Pileggi, James Porter, Todd Pugh, Joyce Salapeck, Ryan Schmidt, Denise Seachrist, William C. Shivers, Kevin Smith, Linda Smith, Laura Tubo, Fonda Williams and Mark Wright. Five outgoing Board members were recognized: Rabbi Adland, Robert Fernandez, William Shivers, Linda Smith and Mark Sterling. New Board members include Christopher Goff of Employers Health, Taylor Schauer of the Schauer Group, Community Volunteer Tonya Wright and Cindy Hickey of Mercy Medical Center.
Workplace awards were presented by 2018-19 Campaign Chair, Lucia Pileggi, KeyBank Key Private Bank Market Executive for Eastern Ohio. Campaign Co-Chairs for 2019-20 will be Mark Wright, CFO of Aultman Hospital and Community Volunteer Tonya Wright.
New United Way programs launching in 2019 include prosperity@work, Project Blueprint, Ways to Work (relaunch) and Budget Coaching.
prosperity@work seeks to improve the financial wellness of moderate-to-lower-wage workers by teaching them how to overcome financial barriers in their lives. Coaches will focus on increasing the financial stability of employees through money management and employers benefit through increased productivity in the workplace. Project Blueprint is designed to identify, recruit, train and place diverse volunteer leaders into policy making roles to enhance the effectiveness of nonprofit agencies. The 10-week course provides training for interested and engaged members of the community to serve on nonprofit boards and committees. Employers will benefit from the sharpened and highly motivated leadership skills employees develop….and non-profits will benefit from their expertise and commitment. Ways to Work is relaunching this year. It is a proven, innovative vehicle loan program that provides low-interest loans to low-to-moderate income, hard-working individuals, who cannot get loans elsewhere. This program helps employers reduce costly turnover, absenteeism and reporting late to work due to transportation issues. Budget Coaching is a client-guided program which teaches low-to-moderate individuals how to work towards economic stability and independence by helping them develop effective financial skills like creating a realistic budget and setting short and long-term goals. Workplaces that refer employees often see a decrease in staff turnover, human resource costs and stress related to absenteeism. Budget coaching also helps increase productivity and staff communication through cooperation of colleagues and supervisors.
All programs funded by United Way of Greater Stark County are listed online at www.uwstark.org/our-work
Thank you to the 340+ attendees who joined United Way at Annual Celebration 2019. This Annual Celebration was the largest yet. Pictures of the individual and workplace winners will be available on the United Way of Greater Stark County Facebook page.
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. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.