United Way of Lake County Announces 2022 Campaign Chair
Mentor, OH (July 21, 2022) – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) announced that Jen Yorko, General Manager of the Lake County Captains, a High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, will serve as their 2022 Campaign Chair.
UWLC is currently celebrating one hundred years of impact. Their annual campaign will begin this fall and will run through the spring of 2023.
In addition to funding its health and human service partners, UWLC helps battle food insecurity. The organization provides food to those in need through the food they distribute several times a year to over 30 Lake County food pantries.
Through its network of safety net agencies, UWLC serves as a change agent focusing their work on the ever-evolving needs of the Lake County community.
According to UWLC Vice President of Community Relations Jean Sency, “We are our community and so we must nurture and care for it.”
“We are thrilled Jen has agreed to serve. She is dedicated to uplifting our community and does so not only professionally but personally as well. Jen’s skillset, connections, energy, and leadership skills are impressive, and we are confident she will help open new doors and forge new relationships in support of the work we do,” said Sency.
Yorko is no stranger to the work of UWLC. She has previously served on their campaign cabinet and has been a member of Women United for several years.
Yorko states that, “United Way of Lake County is a force in our community. The good they do and have done over the past one hundred years is immeasurable. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve our community as their 2022 Campaign Chair. I have lived and worked in Lake County my entire life, and the strength and well-being of our community and the people here is important to me. So many are struggling to stay afloat in the inflationary environment we are in coupled with the setbacks brought on by the pandemic. I look forward to engaging the community’s support so that no one in need stands alone.”
Yorko started her sports management career as a college student, working as an intern in the front office of the Lake County Captains. Upon graduation from Lake Erie college, Yorko earned a full-time role with the club working as box office manager. Over the next decade she would work in many capacities of the front office and earned the position of Assistant General Manager where she oversaw all ticket operations, special events, merchandising and Captains Charities events.
In 2019, Yorko was named General Manager and navigated the team through the canceled 2020 pandemic season, hosted the Cleveland Indians taxi squad, and hosted socially distanced community events including movie nights and fundraisers. In 2021, Yorko guided the front office staff and team through the new professional baseball strategy and continues to lead all fundraising events for Captains Charities including their Annual Golf Classic, 5K, and Game-Worn Jersey Auctions.
Yorko’s extensive community service includes serving as a member of her local elementary school’s PTA board, The Lake Health Foundation, the Lake Erie College Board of Directors, the Miracle League of Lake County, Women United, and MLB’s Youth Sports Committee. She has also served as a coach for the Concord Softball, Mentor Youth Soccer, and CYO Volleyball teams.