Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
"This has been an interesting year for our annual fund drive," said Clare Baumgardt, 2003 general campaign chairwoman for the Kosciusko County United Way Thursday. "The economy was still, and is still, in recovery mode, so there was uncertainty about the level of contribution from the community, even though we live in an extremely generous area.
"We set the campaign goal at a record level of $1.6 million in order to let the community know that, no matter how much money we raise, it is never enough. The needs of the community increase every year.
"We've made significant progress in some new internal campaigns and for that we are grateful. The largest amount raised at any one location for the 2003 campaign was raised at DePuy."
Baumgardt said the board of directors was aware some companies who had participated in previous campaigns were not going to participate this year, setting the fund drive back about $53,000.
With all the pledges counted, however, a record amount, $1,447,730 was raised for distribution to United Way affiliates in 2004.
Thursday's breakfast meeting in Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw, closed the 2003 campaign and recognized individuals and companies for their fund-raising efforts.
Candy Fancil, employed at Wal-Mart, was named a volunteer "key leader." Wal-Mart employees increased their percentage of giving by 215 percent with participation up from 15 to 40 percent.
Jeff Thornburgh, employed at Machining Concepts, was recognized as the volunteer of the year.
Also receiving recognition were 2003 campaign cabinet unit chairmen: John Ganyard of RR Donnelley, John Warren of National City Bank, David Findlay of Lake City Bank, Shawn Patterson of Farmers State Bank, and Mike Kubacki of Lake City Bank.
Several companies were presented achievement awards for increasing donations by 20 percent or more: Biomet, Inc. - 24 percent; city of Warsaw - 77 percent; DePuy, Inc. - 13 percent; Godfrey Marine-41 percent; Elder-Beerman-57 percent; Farmers State Bank-24 percent; Kosciusko REMC-47 percent; ,Medtronic Sofamor Danek - 21 percent; National City Bank - 29 percent; Paragon Medical - 30 percent increase; and Sprint - 21 percent.
Sally Bailey, Lori Morel, Mindy Truex, Jeff Neumann and Dennis Gaerte were elected to serve second terms on the board of directors. Kurt Carlson, Pat Outlaw, Nora Macon and Don Strouse were elected to first terms on the board.
Presented a plaque to Brad Bishop for serving as president of the board of directors for the last two years.
David Findlay was named the 2004 Campaign chairman.
For more information about the United Way call 269-2592.
On the Net: unitedway.
kconline.com
