United Way of Lake County Hosts Annual Meeting and 2025 Campaign Kickoff; Announces 100,945 Services Delivered in 2024
Winners of $10,000 and Free Monthly Services for Life at Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa also Announced
Mentor, OH (June 2, 2025) – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) brought together community leaders, volunteers, and partners the morning of June 28, 2025, for a joint Annual Meeting and 2025 Campaign Kickoff at Paradigm on the campus of Mentor High School. Sponsored by The Lubrizol Corporation, the event marked the first time the organization combined the two gatherings into one impactful occasion.
"You won’t see us separate our Annual Meeting from our Campaign Kickoff in the future,” said UWLC President & CEO Dione DeMitro. “We fundraise year-round, because the need is year-round.”
In 2024 alone, 100,945 essential services were delivered to residents in need across Lake County, a reflection of UWLC’s growing impact, the unwavering generosity of its donors and the hard work of its agency partners who directly serve those in need.
Ed and Nancy Brown, owners of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon & Spa and The Brown Aveda Institute, served as UWLC’s 2024 Campaign Co-Chairs, returning to the role they first held in 2009. "We’re even more inspired today by the incredible spirit of our community and the work of United Way of Lake County," they shared.
Honoring Impact and Leadership
2024 Community Impact Champion Avery Dennison was recognized along with Community Impact Leaders Fredon Corporation, Griffin Technology Group, Lighthouse Advisers and Mentor Nissan for their impactful support and partnership.
Annual awards were also presented to the following individuals for their exemplary volunteer service and leadership:
- Richard “Gus” H. Gehring Award: Gwen Corban, Community Volunteer
- Matt Logies Ambassador Award: Kerry Jonke, Laketran
- Power of One Award: Amy O’Brien, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
- Woman Leader of the Year: Robin Baum, Writer/Editor and Community Volunteer
- Emerging Leader of the Year: Anna Galipo, American Heart Association
Leading the Way in 2025
2024 Outgoing Chairman of the Board Brandi Haught of KeyBank was also introduced as UWLC’s 2025 Campaign Chair.
Newly announced 2025 Board Officers include:
- Chairman of the Board: Andy Phelps, S&T Bank
- First Vice Chair: Maria Kula, STERIS
- Second Vice Chair: Terry Kilbourne, Tec Inc. Engineering & Design
- Treasurer: Rick Bumgardner, The Lubrizol Corporation
Board Members include Robin Baum, Kerry Bliss, Josh Bogner, Patricia Conrad, Lindsay Defeo, Dione DeMitro, Michelle Graf, Craig Heath, Ian Lewis, Patrick Mohorcic, George Sari, Gary Schmitt, Danielle Sindelar, Joshua Strickland, Bryan Thomas, Marwin Walling, Krisina Willey, and Therese Zdesar.
UWLC also announced and thanked its 2025 Campaign Pacesetters: The Kilbourne Family, Fredon Corporation, Griffin Technology Group, Mentor Nissan, and Lighthouse Advisers for their early and generous support.
A Community Transformed by Giving
“The impact of those who donate is woven into every corner of our work,” said DeMitro. “It’s in the food distributed year-round to nearly 40 Lake County food pantries. It’s in the backpacks and clothing shared at our community’s Back-to-School Bash for children in need. It’s in the doors that stay open at Project Hope for the Homeless, Forbes House, and the Free Clinic thanks to designated gifts made to our Community Fund.”
DeMitro emphasized that UWLC’s work is not just about numbers. It’s about life-changing moments, “When someone at Project Hope is met with dignity and begins to rebuild; when a child walks into school confident they have the supplies they need; when a survivor at Forbes House finds not just shelter, but strength; when a ‘little’ in Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance realizes they are not alone, that’s the true measure of impact.”
Campaign Contest Winners
In of May 2024, UWLC launched two raffles in support of its 2024 campaign aimed at encouraging community giving. Both raffle prizes were generously donated to the organization.
One winner received $10,000, courtesy of Mentor Nissan, while another won free monthly salon services for life, donated by Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa. The winners were drawn and announced during the organization’s June 28, 2025,Annual Meeting and Campaign Kickoff.
Lake County resident Robin Baum won the $10,000 cash prize and was present at the event when her name was announced. Harry Oschip won the lifetime of salon services for the woman in his life. A third winner, Cathy Wison, was also announced during the event, receiving $1,000 as part of a secondary contest.
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Award Descriptions
Gus Gehring Award
The Gus Gehring Award was established in the year 2000 in tribute to Richard "Gus" H. Gehring, a distinguished member of United Way of Lake County’s board of directors. This award stands as UWLC's premier recognition for exemplary volunteerism and advocacy efforts.
Matt Logies Ambassador Award
United Way of Lake County’s Matt Logies Ambassador Award was established in 2011 in honor and memory of former UWLC board member Matt Logies. This annual award stands to honor those who embody outstanding community service, the foundation upon which UWLC is built.
Power of One Award
United Way of Lake County's Power of One Award winner epitomizes the profound impact that a single individual can make in effecting positive change within our community.
Woman Leader of the Year Award
United Way of Lake County's Woman Leader of the Year Award recognizes the highest standards of female achievement, encapsulating the purpose of Women United and displaying excellence in leadership and accomplishments.
Emerging Leader of the Year Award
United Way of Lake County's Emerging Leader of the Year Award honors a new generation of leaders and celebrates an individual with admirable leadership skills and a commitment to encouraging positive development among Lake County’s youth while fostering tomorrow’s leaders.