By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Managing Editor
GAMBIER – United Way of Knox County held its annual meeting and a celebration of the 2014 campaign Thursday afternoon. Peirce Hall was the setting for Campaign Chair Lisa Schott of Kenyon College to thank the local donors and corporations who came through to meet, and exceed, the goal of one million dollars. Schott announced the final total of $1,053, 537. The funds will be used to fund programs conducted by United Way Partner agencies. In 2014 those agencies were:
- American Red Cross of Knox County
- Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio
- The Freedom Center of Knox County
- Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, Inc.
- Interchurch Social Services of Knox County
- Kno-Ho-Co Ashland Community Action Commission
- Knox County 4-H Planning
- Knox County Head Start, Inc.
- Muskingum Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America
- New Directions: Domestic Abuse Shelter of Knox County
- Pathways of Central Ohio
- Public Health Partnership of Knox County
- The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon
- The Visiting Nurse Association of Mid-Ohio
- YMCA of Mount Vernon
Additional investments were made in community initiatives including:
Imagination Library, Born Learning Campaign, Free Tax Preparation Assistance, Financial Peace University, Crunch Out Obesity, Get Healthy Knox county, Knox County Health Assessment, Winter Sanctuary Homeles Shelters, Science Play-Space Initiative, Pathways 2-1-1.
New and old campaign supporters who were thanked with a plaque for making a difference in the lives of area residents.
- Buckeye Stoves, Ltd.
- Custom Cutters
- Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home
- Hillside Veterinary Clinic
- Home Instead Senior Care
- The practice of Simona Moore, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
- The Kenyon Inn and Restaurant
- Tim Workman Insurance Agency
The top ten corporate and organization contributors and the amount invested:
- Colonial Moose Lodge, $11,087
- Brenneman Lumber & Kiln Drying, $12,450
- Knox County Employees, $15,960
- Nationwide Insurance, $29,692
- Jeld Wed Windows & Doors, $37,423
- Kenyon College Employees, $47,148
- Siemens, $60,398
- First Knox National Bank, $77,210
- Kokosing Construction, $97,566
- Ariel Corporation, $470,000 (a record for the most raised by one corporation in Knox County)
Left to right: David Bielko, Ariel Corporation; Teri Parker, Kokosing Construction, Matthew Kurtz, Knox County Employees, Vickie Sant, First Knox National Bank; Charlie Brenneman, Brenneman Lumber and Kiln Drying; Carla Byrne, Nationwide Insurance; Sean Decatur, Kenyon College; Jeremee Weatherbee, Siemens. KnoxPages.com photo by Marty Trese
Looking ahead to 2015, Executive Director Jen Odenweller announced the addition of Kelly Brenneman to the staff who will launch a United Way Women’s Leadership Council. The Council will unite local female donors who share passion, have lots of energy, love tackling issues head on and want to make a difference in the community.
Vickie Sant, president of First Knox National Bank was announced as the 2015 Campaign Chair.
More information can be found at www.uwayknox.org.
