United Way Campaign Reaches 7-Year High
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley announced today that the 2014 annual campaign raised $2,640,803, exceeding the goal of $2.6 million. This is the most money the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has raised since the economic recession hit in 2008, which led to more people in need of help with fewer dollars coming in.
“Thanks to our loyal and new supporters we are making up ground as we strive to climb back to our 2007 level of $2.8 million,” said Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. “The return on their investment is continuing to grow with improved reading skills, kindergarten readiness and families returning to financial stability.”
The United Way announced its 2014 campaign results at Campbell Elementary School, which receives funding for several programs including Success By 6 and the BackPack program that feeds kids over the weekend. The school also hosts the Imagination Library Reading Buddies Program sponsored by the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.
The money raised during the campaign is invested back into the Mahoning Valley in three focus areas: education, income and health, Hannon said. United Way uses the money raised during the campaign to address critical transition points, where a positive intervention can change people’s lives.
“We can’t do that alone, we do it in partnership with thousands of donors and supporters throughout the Mahoning Valley,” says Hannon. “On behalf of the nearly 200,000 people United Way serves who can’t say thank you themselves, I want to thank you.”
The campaign was led by co-chairs Ed and Chris Muransky of The Muransky Companies. Chris Muransky also sits on the United Way Board, and serves on the Community Impact Committee.
In addition to its own initiatives, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley funds 60 programs through 30 local agencies that Impact the lives of those living in our community. In 2014, United Way also launched the Imagination Library in Mahoning County as well as the Young Women’s Mentorship Program in three local school districts.
The top 10 Workplace Campaigns were:
- General Motors Lordstown Complex and UAW Locals 1112 and 1714
- Dearing Compressor & Pump Co.
- Altronic
- Hynes Industries
- AT&T
- Compco Industries
- Youngstown State University
- Giant Eagle
- United Parcel Service
- First Energy and IBEW Local 1194/UWUA Local118
The top 5 largest campaign increases, $5,000 or more, occurred at:
- Dearing Compressor & Pump Co.
- Altronic
- Greenwood Chevrolet
- Lyden Oil Co.
- Mahoning County Government Offices
The top 5 foundation gifts came from:
- Frank and Pearl Gelbman Charitable Foundation
- General Motors Foundation
- Walter and Helen Bender Memorial Fund
- PNC Foundation
- The Youngstown Foundation
New workplace campaigns started at:
- The Surgical Hospital at Southwoods
- The Muransky Companies
- The Lake Club
- McHenry Industries
- Tele-Solutions
- Valley Electrical Consolidated
- ITT Technical Institute
- Factset Revere
- Southside Academy/Life Skills High School
New gifts of $500 and above came from:
- King Collision
- Windsor House Inc.
- Girard Machine Co.
- Lowe’s – Boardman and Niles
- Drummond Financial Services
- Paramount Advantage
- Country Fair
- Advanced Auto Parts
- Kiwanis Club of Youngstown
- Mary T. Pipino
- Youngstown Lions Club
- Pecchia Communications
- Perfecta Products, Inc/Berlin Industries
- CCA Private Prison
- American Business Center
- The Tartan Companies
- NYO Property Group
Pictured: United Way staff and campaign volunteers celebrate the successful campaign with children at Campbell Elementary School.
Source: United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
