YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – When last year’s explosion at Realty Tower created the need for relocating people, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley was one of the lead organizations in the effort.
And when a local elementary student needed after-school services, extra food or a toothbrush, the United Way was there too.
And when the United Way asked for donations to help with its efforts, the community responded in a big way, as well.
For the fourth year in a row, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley set a record during its fundraising campaign, raising $3,751,520.
It was the second straight year the fundraising total eclipsed $3.7 million, said Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
“Most of all, just a huge thank you to the community for stepping up and giving to the United Way,” Hannon said. He also credited the co-chairs, Rob and Rebecca Komara, and the committee for helping the organization build new relationships.
Rob Komara is co-owner of Komara Jewelers, and his wife, Rebecca, is a nurse practitioner with The Wound Pros.
Rob Komara said programs like the Success by Six and Success After Six initiatives, as well as the Saturday for Caring food deliveries, are a big reason he and his wife are involved with the United Way. The school programs include wraparound services, school readiness programs and the Care Closets, which have expanded from four schools to 20 and provide food, clothes and personal hygiene items to students.
Rob Komara said the United Way is about bringing the community together to help each other.
“It’s a lot of people like myself, born and raised, have a business. And I always truly think, if it wasn’t for the community, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am, so I need to give back to my community. … It’s very self-warming to see all the other family businesses in the community that come together, work as a team,”he said.
Rebecca Komara also talked about the members of the team who worked on the fundraising efforts with them and how well they stayed on mission, donated their time and money and are inspiring.
In addition to the $3.75 million raised, the United Way received an additional $1 million in 21st Century Grant federal funding for its early education programs.
From the Covid-19 pandemic to the downtown explosion, there have been a lot of big needs in the community, and people have stepped up.
But it’s not just about donations and fundraising. Hannon made a point to talk about the relationships with all the volunteers who step up and do the work, including the young people involved with United Way. Volunteers range in age from 5 to 85, Hannon said, and many use the newly opened Volunteer Center in Boardman to offer their help.
Hannon also cited an example of a donation by local manufacturer Steelite International, which donated huge crates of dinnerware for the people at International Towers who had to evacuate after the explosion at Realty Tower. Hannon said 50 Youngstown State University football players were recruited to help deliver the crates.
“Youngstown State’s relationship with us is as critical as any in the community,” Hannon said. “Youngstown State students, the faculty, the leadership – we would never be able to do what we do right now without them. Youngstown State is a big part of the United Way.”
One part of that relationship is Anna Morgione, a junior at the Sokolov Honors College at YSU. Morgione is a United Way Community Fellow, serving as a liaison between the university and the United Way.
Morgione said she signed up as a driver to deliver groceries for the Saturday of Caring events during her freshman year at YSU, but she didn’t know what to expect. Throughout the next two and a half years, she learned the true impact the United Way has on the Valley, where she grew up, and the importance for students to give back.
“As an honors student myself, it is important for us to give back to the community that we live in, in ways that we can and in ways that we know are needed,” she said. “Working with United Way helps us connect with the people in Youngstown, and it also allows YSU students to inspire the next generation of learners through helping with the after-school programs. Volunteering, especially with United Way, helps us YSU students leave a positive impact on Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.”
Pictured at top: Rob and Rebecca Komara, co-chairs of the 2024 campaign, celebrate the organization’s record-setting fundraising efforts with Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.