United Way of Kosciusko County

On Wednesday, February 15^th guests attended the United Way of Kosciusko County Community Celebration luncheon. United Way leadership, area participants, and program representatives that are supported by our local United Way met to celebrate the outstanding achievements both in community impact and the most recent campaign. Everyone enjoyed a lunch provided by The Katering Kitchen.

There was some annual United Way business to be taken care of at this meeting. Board members leaving after serving two terms were: Lora Beeson, Kosciusko Community Hospital; Jim Tinkey, Mutual Bank. One board member was elected to serve his second term: Dr. Tom Edington, Wawasee School Corporation. New members elected to the United Way Board were: Bill Hartman, Biomet; Bill Stephan, Bowen Center; Jon Szobody, Symmetry Medical.

The 2011 Campaign Chairman Clint Marsh, Lake City Radio was recognized along with his cabinet, which included:

Campaign Unit Chairs: Jon Szobody, Symmetry Medical - Industry; Lori Richcreek, Mutual Bank - Commerce; Keith Reinholt, Reinholt's Furniture - Professional; Chris Harrison, Indiana-American Water - Community.

Campaign Division Chairs: Jill Best, Zimmer; Rob Sullivan, Symmetry Medical; Micky Bradican, Applied Thermal Technologies; Aaron Stratman, Century Link; Lindsay Silveus, Lake City Radio; Sandra Parra, Tower Bank; Sue Hanson, Grossnickle Eye Center; Scott Wiley, Bowen Center; Mike Bergen, Alderfer Bergen; Amy Sivley, Warsaw School Corporation; Lynne Christiansen, City of Warsaw; Tammy Keirn, Miner & Lemon.

This team of volunteers worked to run the annual campaign. Their hard work and dedication to United Way and our community is much appreciated.

Area businesses were recognized for their outstanding contributions to United Way. 'Honorable Mention' was given to companies who had an excellent percent of increase in their employee campaigns: Akzo Nobel, Crossroads Bank, Dalton Corporation, Kosciusko REMC, Medtronic Spinal & Biologics, Nautic Global Group, Teachers Credit Union, Tri-State Advertising, and Zimmer. There were a number of companies which ran internal employee campaigns and met their challenge for the year - they were honored with an 'Employee Advancement Award': Carson's, DePuy, Farmers State Bank, Ivy Tech Community College, KGP Logistics, Mid-City Supply, and Tranter Graphics. The final business recognition award is given to companies who are running campaigns that meet or exceed their full potential. The potential of a company is figured at United Way based on the number of employees and past giving from each particular company. This year the 'Award of Excellence' was presented to the employees of Bart's Water Sports, Lake City Bank, Tower Bank and the United Way of Kosciusko County.

Key Leaders are volunteers who organize the internal campaigns at each individual company. This hard working group of people were recognized and thanked for their efforts. Each year one is selected for the honor of 'Key Leader of the Year' which went to Stephanie Ducheteau, Symmetry Medical. Stephanie is passionate and excited about supporting the United Way. In the 2011 Campaign, she led Symmetry to more than doubling their employee contributions. The United Way of Kosciusko County would like to thank Stephanie for her dedication and commitment to our community.

The annual Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Lora Beeson, Kosciusko Community Hospital for her leadership. Beeson has been an integral part in the Community Impact development at our United Way. She has served as a board member, vision council member and most recently as the Community Impact Chairperson. Lora leads with passion and focus on the goal. Lora, we thank you for your commitment to Kosciusko County and for your dedication to the success of our United Way.

Every year United Way supports individuals in our community through donations to local programs and overall community initiatives. The United Way of Kosciusko County has set three impact goals. First in education, increase the high school graduation rate which will be achieved by strategies involving school readiness, which will ensure that children entering Kindergarten have met the appropriate developmental milestones; and early academic achievement which will ensure that students' reading comprehension skills are at the appropriate level by grade three. Second, in income, increase the economic self-sufficiency of Kosciusko County residents as measured by an increase in the percentage above the poverty level and a reduction in housing cost burden achieved by strategies of employability, family management and family stabilization. Finally, in health to improve the health of Kosciusko County residents as measured by reductions in premature death (mortality rate) and reductions in self-reported poor health days (morbidity rate) with the following strategies of nutrition, fitness, children's oral health, destructive behavior reduction and health accessibility. The campaign is the largest tool the organization has to gather resources to help move forward toward creating positive change.

In 2011, individuals, corporate contributors and employee campaigns raised $2,039,511 for the United Way of Kosciusko County. Thank you Kosciusko for your commitment to your community and showing year after year what it means to LIVE UNITED.