By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — In the style of the late Helen Zelkowitz, former radio host of WMVO Radio’s Coffee Cup, local United Way representatives used humor to highlight a serious issue when they kicked off the 2016 fundraising campaign on Friday morning.
Streamed live from Foster Hall on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, “Good Morning Knox County” took the form of a live TV show, complete with sponsor commercials and featuring a panel discussion, remote interviews and an on-site demonstration of United Way funds at work. Kelly Brenneman, Katie Peterson and Lisa Schott of United Way of Knox County, and Julie Miller, Knox County health commissioner, participated in the panel discussion.
Several years ago, United Way officials identified three key areas that affect a community: education, health and financial stability. “Two years ago our campaign focused on education and the importance that every child be ready to start school on track for a lifetime of success. Last year our focus was financial stability,” said Peterson, resource development coordinator for United Way.
This year the campaign focus is health.
“Financial stability is important, but nothing is more important than what we are focusing on this year, and that is health,” said Miller, chairwoman of the 2016 campaign. “Whole-person health: body, mind and spirit. I am excited we are focusing on the whole person and the whole community.”
The 2016 campaign goal is $1 million. Peterson said that for 2017, United Way has committed to invest money in 28 programs run by 17 partner agencies. Schott, chairwoman of United Way’s board, said the process of identifying 2017 recipients began in March.
“We’re blessed that so many individuals take the time to make this process efficient and seamless and very successful,” she said, thanking the volunteers for keeping focused on the bigger prize: a connected, community-focused rural environment where residents work together and support one another.
The 2016 United Way campaign kicked off Friday morning with a live presentation of “Good Morning Knox County.” Panel participants include, from left, Lisa Schott, United Way board chairwoman; Julie Miller, Knox County health commissioner and 2016 campaign chairwoman; Kelly Brenneman, executive director for United Way of Knox County; and Katie Peterson, resource development coordinator for United Way. KP photo by Cheryl Splain
Brenneman, United Way executive director, spoke about Women United! a newly created group that will focus on recovery housing for women and children; Girls on the Run, an empowerment program in every Knox County school that focuses on healthy eating and healthy lifestyles; and a thrift boutique where qualifying women can shop for free. She also spoke about kick-off week activities, which included speaking to local service clubs and serving the hot meal program Thursday night at The Salvation Army. “But the real magic begins here this morning,” she told those attending the breakfast.
Office Manager Theresa Morris, announcing the Pacesetters for the 2016 campaign, reported a forecast so bright that she has to wear shades. “With the kickoff of Women United, we have a record number of first-time donors and pacesetters,” she said in a prerecorded interview. “We’re excited to report that as of today, we have received pledges to the total of $260,549, 26 percent of our goal.”
Peterson’s prerecorded interview of Ryan Sponsler, Donley Auto Group, provided insight into why Donley is offering United Way donors the chance to win a two-year lease of a 2017 Ford Escape. “United Way does great things in the community, and we’ve always been supportive of our community,” he said. The interview came complete with Peterson kicking the tires and asking for a Carfax, two typical efforts to determine a good automobile.
In another prerecorded video, Brenneman paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes efforts of LaShawn Small, financial stability initiative coordinator for local United Way. Although Brenneman never caught the ever-elusive Small on camera, Small attended the breakfast and was seen disappearing out the back door when her name was called.
Lisa Rutter, United Way education program coordinator, along with United Way Board Member Jeff Scott and Nick Clark of the YMCA, bounced her way onto the set by trying out the new exercise balls that Knox Community Hospital is supplying to all Knox County school districts. The balls are part of Crunch Out Obesity, a six-week program geared toward fourth-graders.
Kicking off the breakfast, Bonnie Coe, president of Central Ohio Technical College, said the college is proud to be a corporate sponsor because COTC and United Way share common values, one of them being a commitment to education.
“United Way programs are perfectly and well aligned with our college’s mission and values,” she said. “In Knox County, this United Way campaign is a perfect fit.”
Wrapping up the show, Miller said, “We wanted this to be fun, but we feel a lot of passion for this. We hope you have gotten as excited as we have and are thinking about health.”
“Good Morning Knox County” was produced by I-Conn Video Production of Mount Vernon.
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.