United Way Tops $2M AgainOnce again the United Way of Kosciusko County set a new record during its annual campaign to help fund the many programs it has in the county.
In 2009, $2,022,009 was raised.
It was revealed Wednesday afternoon during the United Way's annual community celebration at Center Lake Pavilion that in 2010 $2,130,010 was raised.
Not only will that money be used to help fund its programs, but will be focused on improving the education, income and health of the county.
The graduation rate for Kosciusko County is 83 percent. The United Way's goal is to raise that through improving kindergarten readiness.
Kosciusko Community Hospital's Laura Beeson, community impact chairman and member of United Way vision councils, spoke about the organization's goals in 2011.
Some of the programs used to improve education that were highlighted were the afterschool program at the Baker Youth Club as well as the Court Appointed Special Advocate program.
Also highlighted were the Read to Grow program.
In terms of income, 10.8 percent of Kosciusko County residents live below the poverty rate.
The goal of United Way is to raise the number of families that are self-sufficient.
"We want to break the cycle," said Besson.
Programs like Moving Forward through the Bowen Center and Hand Up and Project Independence through Combined Community Services were noted.
GED programs are one way for people to become more economically self-sufficient, and the county's program saw 35 people get their GED. Twenty-eight inmates at Kosciusko County Jail also earned their GED.
As for health care, the goal of United Way is to provide access to quality health care for all Kosciusko County residents.
Some programs already in place to improve the health of Kosciusko County residents include the Summer Youth Program at the Baker Youth Club, and Well Child Clinic and services like Mobile Meals through Kosciusko Community Senior Services.
The 2-1-1 program saw an increase in calls of 30 percent in 2010.
Drug awareness is a focus of the United Way, and they have launched the website www.killingacommunity.com to help provide information and assistance concerning the meth epidemic in the county.
The United Way recently received a grant for $162,175, which, in partnership with the K21 Foundation, will launch a new children's oral health program in August.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is another new program for 2011.
It's designed to help lower-income people with tax preparation. Those interested can call 2-1-1 to set up an appointment.
The United Way also continues to maintain its volunteer website, volunteerkosciusko.org
Awards were also handed out Wednesday afternoon from the United Way.
Don Bergen was named the Volunteer of the Year Wednesday. He was recognized for his help with the Volunteer Kosciusko website, as well as his time spent volunteering and serving on committees.
Medtronic Spinal & Biologics' Holly Howard was given the Key Leader of the Year award.
Howard was recognized for raising Medtronic's participation rate for the United Way campaign from 38 to 53 percent, as well as for her passion and excitement in supporting the United Way.
There were a number of companies that ran internal employee campaigns and met their challenge for the year. Those companies were honored with the Employee Advancement Award.
Those companies were 1st Source Bank, Grossnickle Eye Center, Ivy Tech Community College, Lake City Bank, Medtronic Spinal & Biologics, Teachers Credit Union and Warsaw/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
Three businesses earned the Award of Excellence. That is figured by the number of employees and past giving from each particular company. Receiving the award were SYM Financial Advisors, Tower Bank and the United Way of Kosciusko County.
Several companies received honorable mention for reaching an excellent percentage during their 2010 campaign fundraising.
Those companies were Bart's Water Sports, Custom Engineered Wheels, DePuy, Elder-Beerman, Farmers State Bank, Mid-City Supply, Miller's Merry Manor-Warsaw, MutualBank, Paragon Medical, Tri-State Advertising and Zimmer.
Clint Marsh, Lake City Radio, was named the chairperson for the 2011 campaign, taking over for Zimmer's Jeff McCaulley, who helmed the 2010 campaign.
Marsh joked that the pressure was now on him to raise that number for 2011.
During his comments, Marsh said that he grew up reading comic books. And as a child he thought superheroes only existed inside the pages of those comic books.
But in working with the United Way, he "realized there are superheroes all among us."
During Wednesday's meeting, some United Way business was also taken care of.
New board members added to 2011 board of directors were Kitty Cheatham, Tony Garza, Josh Gordon and Brad Hinkle.
Denny Crip, Rob Delp, Everett Nifong, Aaron Rovenstine and Ben Stevens were re-elected to the board.
Diana Butterfield, Ron Donkers and Christi Price completed their two-term limits in 2010. Board members Steve Corbett and Mike Scott retired.
Wednesday's event was catered by Penguin Point and sponsored by CenturyLink.
