United Way staff (from left) Betsy Winget, Amy Reese, Erin Hardesty, Natasha Kaufman, Megan Pasion, Laura Voth and Doris Broughton celebrate the 2022 Campaign Awards on Tuesday evening at OSU-Lima.
Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — The United Way of Greater Lima rock and rolled at OSU-Lima on Tuesday evening to celebrate its annual award ceremony. The non-profit organization awarded members of the community in several different categories that raised funding for their campaign. The event kicked off with live music and food. Just moments later the event began.
United Way celebrated the awards ceremony with a rock and roll theme. United Way President and CEO Erin Hardesty weighed in.
“We thought we would try something a little different and have an evening event to celebrate our 2022 campaign,” said Hardesty.
United Way awarded an Employee Campaign Champion, a Corporate Partner, a Non-Profit Organization, a Partner Agency, a Volunteer and a Paul Woehlke Award winner.
The Paul Woehlke Award is named after a previous volunteer of United Way.
“For those of us who knew and remember Paul,” said Hardesty. “He was a champion for so many organizations but the United Way was so near and dear to his heart. He volunteered for years on every campaign, soliciting businesses and working on committees.”
An event is held each year to honor those who participated. In 2021, the campaign resulted in $1,608,833. This year, participants raised a total of $1,508,343.
“This year was a tough one. As I talk with community members it seems it was tough for many businesses,” said Hardesty. “No one knows if it was the fear of the recession or if things are just changing, but it was tough. We are still plugging away to get the last dollar for the campaign.”
Hardesty thanked her staff for their hard work and participation.
Youth for Christ received the Partner Agency Award. Director Junior Ramos weighed in.
“It was a pleasant surprise and definitely an honor,” said Ramos. “We look forward to our future partnership with United Way.”
Employee Campaign Champion of the Year
• Jennifer Birkemeier
Corporate Partner of the Year
• Nutrien
Non-Profit of the Year
• Allen County Board of DD
Partner Agency of the Year
• Youth for Christ, Rally Point
Volunteer of the Year
• Amanda Garlock
Union Partner of the Year
• Local 2075 General Dynamics
The Paul Woehlke Award
• Jed Metzger
In the end, United Way announced that Ronda Lehman and Jason May would be the 2023 Campaign Chairs.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
