United Way of North Central Ohio (UWNCO) staff met with the Sentinel at Sames and Cook July 24 to talk about programs and projects in Morrow County as well as changes in the United Way organization.

This summer, United Way of Morrow County merged with United Way of North Central Ohio, joining Crawford, Marion, Wyandot, Tiffin and Seneca counties.

Angie Voll, development director for Morrow and Marion counties, said this joining and collaboration of county and local United Way organizations is a different direction national United Way decided to go. The merger will combine resources so that services can be expanded to help more people.

While Morrow County will join in the larger organization, the money in United Way of Morrow County will be kept for use in Morrow County. Future donations and funds raised in Morrow County will remain in the county unless a donor designates otherwise.

Morrow County will no longer have a United Way board. It will now transition to an advisory council with one Morrow County member for the North Central Ohio governing board. Former Morrow County Director Jodi Hayes will be program administrator for Esther’s Dream and will continue to support the county in other ways.

Voll comes to UWNCO and Morrow County as Development director after teaching 16 years at Marion Technical College as an assistant professor of social sciences. She continues to teach at MTC as an adjunct professor and lives in Galion with her husband, Mike, and five children. Mike Voll was recently selected to fill the position as superintendent of Colonel Crawford Local School District.

Laura Weir, communications and marketing director for UWNCO, announced the following programs and projects, called “Impact Partners” are receiving funding during the current fiscal year: Flying Horse Farms (camper programming); Tomorrow Center (student recognition program); Esther’s Dream (providing special event clothing for people in need); YWCA Learning Labs (with family involvement for Pre-K readiness); HelpLine of Delaware Morrow (Morrow County 2-1-1); Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World, Marion Matters; Heart of Ohio Homeless Shelter; Marion Shelter; Marion Technical College Student Emergency Fund; Big Walnut Joint Fire District, Project SAFE; Imagination Library in Morrow County through Kiwanis; and RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program).

Weir said they look forward to expanding impact partners in Morrow County. She encourages any program or agency that has a program or project to reach out to Impact Director Erica Holt to get an application. Projects can be added this year.

“We are open to other programs and project ideas which meet one or more of our three “Bold Goals,” Voll said.

The three Bold Goals for the community of UWNCO were identified with the team working together with community leaders and social service agencies. They then decided on data indicators to help measure success.

The three Bold Goals are Successful children; Healthy families and Self-sufficient residents.

“We are seeking results based accountability,” said Voll. “The questions we ask are, How much do we do? How well do we do it? and Is anyone better off?”

As the fall United Way campaign begins, the development team is meeting with donors and making connections to ensure continued support for community impact programs and projects in Morrow County.

In other United Way news:

• Winners announced for the June meat raffle are Deb Levering, the Whole Barnyard; Christina Smith, The Pitmaster; and Allen Stojkovic Backyard BBQ and Hungry Cowpoke.

• Workplace campaigns will launch in September for those interested in running a campaign at their workplace for United Way.

• Esther’s Dream Denim & Diamonds Purse Bingo will be at the Morrow County Fairgrounds Youth Building on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

• Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World begins the fall session Sept.10 on Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7:30 p.m. with a meal included in the program.

Visit the United Way website at unitedwaynco.org for more information or call 740-383-3108.

Alberta Stojkovic is a correspondent for The Morrow County Sentinel. She can be reached at [email protected].