Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
He calls himself the chief cheerleader although Tobias Buck, far from performing gymnastics on the sidelines, is more like the coach of this year's United Way fund drive.
Buck is the United Way Campaign chairman and intends to help raise $1.1 million in community contributions, the same amount as last year's goal.
"I'll contact the CEOs and corporations who have not had a significant role in supporting United Way and solicit their involvment," Buck said. "You have a lot of hearts here who really want to give."
Buck, chairman, president and CEO of Paragon Medical Inc., Pierceton, has been associated with the United Way for about 15 years.
He heard about it through his church and signed up to be a Big Brother.
Paragon Medical has become a United Way Pacesetter company. He can boast of a 70 percent employee participation rate.
"It's a high percentage," he said. "We've got just under 200 folks working here.
"United Way touches so many lives in this community. Kosciusko County has a great set of mechanics. They understand what the community's needs are and get the money to the agencies that will satisfy those needs."
The primary mission of the United Way of Kosciusko County is to help people in need and improve the quality of life. Serving 26 agencies, the 43-year-old corporation coordinates local fund-raising and then distributes the donations.
Buck describes Sandy Mafera, UW executive director since 1993, as "the angel who walks among us."
"I just get to be the person out front by definition," the Paragon Medical president said.
He will lead a United Way cabinet of 18 members representing 12 community divisions for the fund drive.
