HISTORY OF UNITED WAY OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, INC.

     A special meeting of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce was held at the Lake City Bank on January 22, 1958 to discuss the organization of a United Fund.  A special representative from the United Fund was there to explain how the drive is set up and how it operates.

     Mr. Blaine Mikesell of Warsaw gave a report on the different drives, how much money is raised each year and the goal.  The first order of business is to become incorporated and set an organizational meeting.

     Election of officers took place on February 5, 1958 with the following named:

              President           Robert Ellison

              Vice President      Blaine Mikesell

              Secretary           John Widaman, Jr.

              Treasurer           Fred Stephens

     It was explained by Bob Ellison that the purpose of organizing a United Fund was to eliminate multiple drives by all organizations which also seemed to involve a duplication of leaders each time.

     Bob traveled throughout Kosciusko County and talked to service organizations and met with an enthusiastic response.

     The first year goal was set at $74,661.71 which was set higher than was needed by the agencies.  The goal was not met that year, but each agency was given 100% of its request and it was felt that the first drive was a successful one.  James W. McCleary of Warsaw was the first campaign chairman.

     The second year, Earl Records was named president.  Mr. Records was transferred shortly thereafter and Mr. Ellison, agreed to take the position of president for the second year.

     From its very beginning there has been a county-wide board distribution of support and according to Mr. Ellison, it took many, many people who worked tirelessly to bring this organization into being.

     The United Way campaigns were conducted by professional fund raisers in the early years.  A part-time secretary was hired to maintain office records.

     Many community leaders have actively participated in United Way since 1958.  In the late 1970's Larry Castaldi organized and became the first president of United Way of Indiana.          This organization was founded to unite the efforts of all Indiana county United Ways and work for legislation for the good of all not-for-profit agencies in state government.  In his name, the Castaldi Award for the state's most outstanding volunteer is given each year by the United Way of Indiana.  Mr. Castaldi also served the local United Way as president and chairman of the board.

     Beginning in 1978, the campaigns were organized and

conducted locally by the United Way staff and volunteers.  Three

directors, Jim Benzenberg, Suzanne Ware and Vicki Curtis-Harrold,

served during this time on a part-time basis along with a full-time secretary.  In July, 1981, Shirley Sadler was hired as a full-time director along with a full-time secretary.

     In 1972, United Way of Kosciusko County was named as the largest beneficiary in the will of Ross McNamara of Pierceton.  The money was held in a trust fund for five years with interest only available to United Way.  When the fund was turned over to United Way, the trust had grown from $383,154.77 to $680,056.22.

Presently an Investment Committee composed of United Way board members recommend the investment of McNamara funds.  Over $400,000 of interest income has been used for non-United Way community projects and United Way agency capital expenditures.  Due to wise investment decisions by the United Way board, the McNamara corpus nears the one million dollar figure.

     The board is composed of 27 community-minded members from throughout Kosciusko County.  The Executive Committee is made up of eight members and meets on a regular basis to handle the daily activities of United Way.

     In 1986 the United Way funded 21 member agencies and gave special grants for community projects.  The 1986 goal was set at $510,000 with $575,681 received in pledges and contributions by March, 1987.

     In 1988 a policy for investing funds was approved by the Board of Directors.  At the same time, the name, McNamara Fund, was changed to the United Way Endowment Fund to encompass all other endowment contributors.

     Over one million dollars had been disbursed in worthwhile community projects....since 1976.

     The United Way funded 22 member agencies.  The 1988 campaign goal was set at $600,000 and $680,779 was received in pledges and contributions at the end of the campaign.

     Agency requests, due to expanding programs and agency operations, were at an all time high of $823,000 in 1989.  The $670,000 goal was surpassed by $32,000 however, campaign contributions still fell short of the requests.

     In order to meet the challenges of the future, the United Way Board of Directors approved a Policies and Procedures Plan for Deferred Giving.  By broadening its funding base, the plan will ensure resources for orderly long-range growth.  At the same time, it will enrich the ability to meet and adapt to the changing needs of Kosciusko County. January, 1990

     In 1993 Shirley Sadler, Executive Director of twelve years, retired.  Sandra Mafera began the Executive Director duties in May of 1993.  The goal of $849,000 was surpassed.  Funding was directed to 21 member agencies with 43 programs.  Venture Grants were awarded from the overage of the campaign.

In 1994 another successful campaign topped $900,000 with Venture Grants receiving funding. 

1995 the amount raised fell short of the goal of $945,000. The Agency Relations Committee was added as a Standing Committee of the Board of Directors. The management of the Endowment was reviewed and opportunity given to local financial institutions to vie for management.  First National Bank of Warsaw became manager of the Endowment.   In 1996 brought the first woman to lead the campaign.  The Allocation Committee was expanded to eight members with perfect attendance throughout the hearings. 

For the first time the Endowment reached the one million dollar mark.

HISTORY OF THE INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF UNITED WAYS'

Leaders from United Ways across Indiana met in 1978 and agreed to form a state association, United Way of Indiana (UWI, renamed in 1992 to the Indiana Association of United Ways).  Lawrence Castaldi served the association as their first board chairman.

Lawrence Castaldi was a businessman and civic leader in Warsaw, Indiana, leading such efforts as the Chamber of Commerce, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Grace College, the Bowen Mental Health Center, and the United Way of Kosciusko County.  Castaldi led the Indiana Association of United Ways for its first three years and served on its board until his death in 1985. 

Castaldi tirelessly visited United Ways, securing their participation in the new state association.  He helped secure a start-up grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. of Indianapolis. the grant allowed the Association to establish an office with part-time staff.  Support was garnered from membership dues  by United Ways affiliating with the State Association.

Castaldi's belief in United Way and his unflagging determination to mobilize that community building power to address statewide issues provided the visionary leadership which gave the Association it's strong foundation.

Upon Castaldi's retirement as board chairman in 1980, the Association presented him with its first award, recognizing the invaluable contribution he had made to the United Way movement in Indiana. They named the award in his honor, as a lasting tribute to his undaunting spirit of voluntarism, the same spirit which the Association salutes today through the Castaldi Award.

This award is presented to a volunteer or professional who has given personal, passionate, and persevering service to Indiana United Ways.