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UW exceeds goal despite economy

Several individuals and businesses were singled out for awards during the Huntington County United Way’s Thank You Luncheon on Wednesday, March 3.
Several individuals and businesses were singled out for awards during the Huntington County United Way’s Thank You Luncheon on Wednesday, March 3. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

A sour economy didn't prevent the Huntington County United Way from exceeding its $700,000 goal in 2009, outgoing campaign chairman Michael Zahn says.

It's just another example, he says, of "how Huntington sticks together."

Zahn used the occasion of the United Way Thank You Luncheon on Wednesday, March 3, to say thanks to the more than 200 individuals who volunteered to help with the United Way campaign he shepherded.

He also introduced Tracey Shafer, superintendent of the Huntington County Community Schools, as chairman of the 2010 campaign.

The 2009 campaign, Zahn says, was able to raise a total of $703,000 despite the sometimes shaky financial picture around it.

"When we started, the economy wasn't as strong as we thought it was going to be," Zahn says. "But we were able to meet and achieve the 2009 goal. That wouldn't have been achieved without the hard work of our campaign cabinet."

Zahn handed out several awards to individuals and businesses he says made an extra effort to help the campaign succeed.

Robert Smith Awards went to the 2009 financial Pacesetters, including Beacon Credit Union, First Federal Savings Bank and Teachers Credit Union, and to Huntington County. Huntington County received a traveling trophy for besting Huntington city
in contributions. The Ray Vanderspool Award went to Kendall Mickley, and the Chairman's Award went to Ed Vessels.

The 2010 campaign will officially begin in September, with Pacesetter companies running their campaigns about two months ahead of the kick-off. The Indiana Association of United Ways is offering a $78,000 challenge grant, with that organization matching up to $78,000 in new money (contributions over and above those given in the past) raised during the 2010 campaign. The grant money will be reserved for programs dealing with financial stability, health and education.

"We want to continue to exhibit the leadership it takes to change lives in Huntington County," Shafer said of the 2010 campaign. "If ever there were 8,000 points of light, it is you. You shine very brightly in Huntington County."

Businesses recognized during the luncheon included:
Award of Excellence, for businesses where employee giving was equivalent to 80 percent of employees giving what the United Way terms a "fair share" - 1st Source Bank, Ad Design Inc., Art Chemical, Beacon Credit Union, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Bippus State Bank, Bowers Brewer Garrett & Wiley and Council on Aging.
Also, David Culp & Company, DeLaney Hartburg Roth & Garrott LLP, Dr. Jeffrey Hughes, Ecolab Inc., Edward Jones-Jim Scheiber, Family Dentistry, Family Eyecare, First Farmers Bank and Trust, First Federal Savings Bank and General Aluminum.

Also, Gerdau MacSteel, HCCSC Instructional Services, Huntington Dental Group, Innovative Packaging, Johnson Junction Inc, Kline's CPA Group, Lake City Bank, Lime Cty Manufacturing Co., MarkleBank, Matheny Hahn Denman & Nix, Miami Tool & Die Inc. and Mignone Communications.
Also, Myers Funeral Home, Nelson Machining & Fabricators, Our Sunday Visitor, Pathfinder Services, Shuttleworth, Inc., Teachers Credit Union, Village Animal Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank and W.A. Zimmer Company.

Advancement Award, for businesses where employee giving increased 20 percent from the previous year - County Employees, HCCSC Administrative Services Center, Hogg & Wall Associates, Homier Distributing, Huntington General Practice, Insurance Management Group, Lincoln Elementary School, Northwest Elementary School, Otis R. Bowen Center, Rollo Harter & Poling, Salvation Army Huntington County, State Farm Insurance, The Herald-Press, United Brethren Church Headquarters and W.A. Zimmer Company.
New Employee Campaign - Nelson Machine & Fabricators and Hogg & Wall Associates.

Complete caption: Several individuals and businesses were singled out for awards during the Huntington County United Way’s Thank You Luncheon on Wednesday, March 3. They include (front row from left), Kendall Mickey, who received the Ray Vanderspool Award; and Satin Lemon of First Federal Savings Bank, Sue Rumple of Beacon Credit Union, and JoDeane Knowles of Teachers Credit Union, who jointly received a Robert Smith Award; and (back row from left) Ed Vessels, who received the Chairman’s Award; Bryn Keplinger of Huntington County, which received a Robert Smith Award; and Troy Hostetler representing Huntington County, which won the city-county challenge.