Volunteer Stories
Passionate volunteers help us build a stronger community
Volunteer Spotlight: Tonya Wright
Over the past year, many people have asked me what it’s like to chair United Way of Greater Stark County’s annual fund-raising campaign. They are interested in why I got involved and wonder what I do. Honestly, I say…. I get to wak...
Volunteer Spotlight: Philip Francis
Phil has served as Chair of the Finance Committee, and as Treasurer, Vice President and currently as President of the United Way of Greater Stark County Board of Directors. “My background in finance and investments has helped me provid...
Volunteer Spotlight: Retired Judge, Mike Howard
Mike has been a long-time supporter of United Way of Greater Stark County and serves as an inspiration for us all. We appreciate your dedication and are very lucky to have you as a donor and volunteer. You are an important part of our or...
Volunteer Spotlight: Pamela Reese Valentine
Pamela has been involved with United Way since 2007, when she was working in North Canton with the Girl Scouts. “One year they had me come and speak to Women United about Girl Scouts. They asked me to get involved with the Girl UP prog...
Volunteer Spotlight: Diane Pete
United Way of Greater Stark County Volunteer – Women United Steering Committee & 2019 Campaign Cabinet member Diane and her husband started volunteering for United Way of Greater Stark County because of an invite from Mark and Tonya Wrig...
Volunteer Spotlight: Amy Mast
I first joined the steering committee for United Way of Greater Stark County’s Women United (formerly Women’s Leadership Council) in January 2014, and in April 2019, I became chair. While serving on the steering committee, I assisted...
Volunteer Spotlight: Bob Fernandez
As a life-long Stark County resident, Bob Fernandez wanted to give back to his community from an early age. “I had parents who had a great deal of pride in Stark County, and they instilled that in me,” said Fernandez. “I always had...
Volunteer Spotlight: Christopher Remark
When Aultman Hospital CEO Christopher Remark first began supporting United Way of Greater Stark County, he knew it played a vital role in the community. But it wasn’t until he joined the organization’s board of directors in 2011 that...
Volunteer Spotlight: Courtney Johnson-Benson
Courtney Johnson-Benson has a passion for education. As Senior Assistant Director of Admissions for the University of Akron, she helps students pursue their dreams of higher education, while navigating them through the complexities of th...
Kevin & Linda Smith: Co-Chairs for the 2017-18 United Way of Greater Stark County Fundraising Campaign
Kevin Smith knows what it’s like to face tough challenges. He grew up in an unstable household with limited resources. He started working at an early age to help his single mother with five children make ends meet. Although he is mindf...
Helping Babies Reach Their First Birthdays
By Rich Desrosiers, Repository Executive Editor July 9, 2017 In most homes, a baby’s first birthday is celebrated in grand style. Big parties with gifts and balloons, maybe even a smash cake — although why anyone would buy or bake a ...
Chuck Ducey: Impact Council Member & MyBudgetCoach Volunteer for United Way of Greater Stark County
Chuck Ducey worked for Diebold 35 years and supported United Way of Greater Stark County through the annual workplace campaign. He heard about United Way’s work in the community work at campaign rallies, and it piqued his curiosity abo...