United Way of Lake County’s September 29 100-Year Birthday Bash & 2022 Campaign Kickoff Attracts Big Support
State Representative Daniel P. Troy Presents Proclamation Honoring UWLC
Mentor, OH (September 30, 2022) – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) kicked off their 2022 Campaign with a 100-Year Birthday Bash Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 5:30 pm – 9 pm at Classic Park in Eastlake, home of the Lake County Captains.
Nearly 1,300 adults and children registered to attend the free family-friendly community event, and goody bags were provided to all in attendance along with free ice cream, free cupcakes, and free popcorn.
Kids activities included magicians, balloon artists, face painters, craft tables, KidZzone Inflatables, and an agency fair where additional games and goodies were provided by the twenty agencies who took part. One such agency was Forbes House, whose booth was a hit due to the purple cotton candy they were serving up.
Commemorative t-shirts were available for a ten-dollar donation, and a 50/50 raffle was also available. The winner was announced today and Janet Grant Dowling, Mentor City Councilperson-at-Large, won $2,115.
UWLC Board Member Morris Beverage III of Lighthouse Advisers served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies, and The Lubrizol Corporation sponsored the event.
Notable guests included State House Representative Daniel Troy, Lake County, Commissioner John Plecnik, Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Eugene Lucci, Like County Auditor Christopher Galloway, Lake County Treasurer Michael Zuren, City of Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley, and Willowick Mayor Rich Regovich.
The event started at 5:30 pm with UWLC’s 2022 Campaign Chair Jen Yorko, General Manager of the Lake County Captains, welcoming the crowd from the field, recognizing her campaign cabinet, and introducing UWLC’s “Impact” video which took guests on a short journey of the difference the organization made in the lives of children, families, and seniors in need in 2021.
“The work United Way of Lake County does and has done over the last one-hundred years is immeasurable. Last year alone, over 81,000 services were provided to Lake County children, families, and seniors in need through United Way’s support of agency programs,” said Yorko.
Last year UWLC provided over $200,000 in food to Lake County food banks to help those suffering from hunger. Additional impact the organization made in partnership with the health and human service agency programs they help support includes:
• 25,084 congregate & drive-through meals were provided to nourish seniors in need
• 491 cans of formula were provided to fill the bellies of babies
• 13,844 emergency services were provided
• 525 domestic violence survivors were provided with comfort and care
• 5,800 mental health counseling services were provided
• 598 people received substance abuse treatment
• 618 homeless persons received shelter and care
• 3,010 people received medical and dental care
• 866 people benefited from prescription assistance
• 18,900 children benefited from reading programs
• 4,118 pre-k children received free monthly books to improve kindergarten readiness
• 7,218 children benefited from mentors and youth enrichment programs
• 237 Hispanic families and individuals benefited from community acclimation services
• 229 people benefited from free tax assistance resulting in refunds totaling nearly $300,000 being put back into the community
Yorko further went on to say, “When you make a gift to United Way of Lake County your contribution helps assure the availability of an entire network of services that no one agency alone can provide.”
UWLC’s new President and CEO Dione DeMitro then addressed the crowd sharing a bit about her vision for the organization. “I am proud to be a part of such a valuable organization. Valuable, not only because we raise crucial funds for a variety of key initiatives that improve the lives of Lake County’s most vulnerable in the areas of Education, Financial Stability, and Health, but because we are in a position to support and network with our agency partners who directly serve our community, increasing the impact of collaborative efforts,” said DeMitro.
DeMitro presented four UWLC awards at the event.
• The 2021 Woman Leader of the Year award was presented to Dr. Deborah Hardy, Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning and Dean of Faculty, and Interim Dean for Sciences at Lakeland Community College.
• The 2021 Emerging Leader of the Year was presented to Rachel Jeavons, Senior Risk Management Analyst with University Hospitals.
• The 2021 Matt Logies Ambassador Award Recipient was presented to Brandi Haught, Business Development Manager of KeyBank. This annual award is given to someone who demonstrates the very foundation upon which United Way of Lake County is built on – giving, advocating and volunteering.
• The 2021 Gus Gehring Award Recipient was presented to Morris Beverage III, President of Lighthouse Advisers in Mentor. This award represents the highest recognition given to a UWLC volunteer. It is given to a volunteer who personifies the spirit of its namesake’s legacy. Tireless leadership. Passionate advocacy. And an unbreakable commitment to our mission of helping people.
Following the awards ceremony, State Representative Daniel Troy presented DeMitro with a proclamation honoring UWLC for its one-hundred years of service to Lake County.
According to Yorko, “All funds raised in Lake County stay in Lake County, helping our own friends and neighbors in need.”
Those interested in making a gift to impact the lives of Lake County children, families, and seniors in need may do so online at uwlc.org/give, by texting uwlc100 to 44321, via Venmo or Paypal at @UWLCOH, or by mailing a check payable to United Way of Lake County to 9285 Progress Parkway, Mentor, OH 44060.