BOARDMAN, Ohio – The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley raised more than $3.9 million in 2025, setting a record for community support.
“I think the donors see the work that’s being done, and they trust and they believe in what we’re doing,” Bob Hannon, United Way president and CEO, said at at Tuesday morning news conference. “And that’s why, for the first time ever, we were able to go about $3.9 million and invest all those dollars back in the community, all the dollars stay right here in the Mahoney Valley and support the people that need us most.”
He credited the nine-member, staff, board, volunteers, donors and 2025 campaign co-chairs Josh and Jami Toot. The news conference was at the Centofanti Volunteer Resource Center, 8133 Market St..
Josh is the market president for WesBanco Bank and a United Way board member. His wife, Jami, is the human resource manager at Revere Medical.
The couple lauded the support from the community and said they’re proud to have helped lead a campaign that ensures critical programs are fully funded and that people have access to needed resources.
In a news release issued before Tuesday’s event, Hannon said the organization is inspired by the community’s generosity.
“Raising more than $3.9 million means more children prepared for kindergarten, more students supported after school, more families receiving food during times of crisis and more individuals getting the services they need to build stable, successful lives,” he said. “Every dollar is invested directly into programs that strengthen our community.”
Several programs grew in 2025. The opening of the Centofanti Volunteer Resource Center in August 2024 fostered expanded engagement with volunteers, contributing more than 6,000 hours supporting initiatives such as Care Closets and Saturday of Caring.
The Care Closet program, a resource pantry that meets students’ basic needs with food, clothing and hygiene products, expanded from 20 sites during the 2024-25 school year to 29 sites at the start of the 2025-26 year.
Amanda Shrader, an Austintown Schools teacher who manages its Care Closets, said the United Way helps students with more than food, clothing and hygiene products.
Shrader shared the story of one student who could not carry his supplies in a backpack because of a medical condition. An adult had been accompanying him between classes, carrying the supplies.
United Way got the student a rolling backpack, Shrader said. He no longer needs the adult accompaniment and is able to interact more with his classmates.
“ And in that situation, it’s not about a backpack,” Shrader said. “They gave that student independence.”
The success of the United Way’s early education programs continued with Success By 6 serving more than 800 pre-kindergarten students during the summer, helping prepare them for success in the classroom. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continued to support children from birth to age 5 by promoting early literacy. Success After 6 operated at seven school sites, serving 330 students who demonstrated academic improvement.
Additionally, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program reached more individuals, helping low- to moderate-income residents keep their full tax refunds and avoid predatory lending practices.
The final months of 2025 presented renewed challenges when a federal government shutdown resulted in a lapse in SNAP benefits. United Way convened local nonprofit partners to address the crisis. With the support of a grant from the Jane F. Lamb Charitable Foundation, United Way distributed 2,500 meal kits to students throughout the Mahoning Valley while families awaited benefit restoration.
In November, United Way and the nonprofit community again responded to a crisis after an explosion at Austintown Studio Apartments, home to 140 low-income seniors and individuals. Residents were evacuated, and United Way partnered with local agencies to provide temporary housing, food and essential supplies. Support for these residents continues this year.
“Our work is only possible because this community believes in what we do,” Hannon said in the release. “Together, we are building a stronger Mahoning Valley.”
Pictured at top: Bob Hannon, president and CEO of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.