March 29, 2019 - Volunteers, donors, and supporters from Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties were honored at the United Way of Monroe County Annual Celebration on March 28th. The event kicked off with participants from Girls Inc. of Monroe County, a United Way member agency, sharing their voices in an animated performance of ‘The Girls’ Bill of Rights.’
Efrat Feferman, United Way of Monroe County’s executive director, shared with attendees the stories of how each United Way member agency works together to improve the lives of clients and help them get back on their feet. “I see and hear about these wins every day on the job,” Feferman explained. “When I wear my United Way t-shirt about town, I hear things like “you guys helped me get into recovery,” and “I was homeless, and you helped me get back on my feet.” It’s not me, it’s not our board members they’re talking about. It’s typically not one agency, either. It’s all of us they’re talking about. All of us who come together, united, whether you’re working at an agency or a collaborative initiative, whether you’re a generous donor, a dedicated volunteer, a workplace coordinator, a CEO who prioritizes giving back in your workplace, a community partner, or an elected official. Thank you for the part you played in these neighbors’ wins.”
A match from member agency Big Brothers Big Sisters, Melanie and Empress, were then welcomed to the stage to perform a piano duet, sharing a skill they’ve been learning and practicing together.
Isabel Santner, United Way Campaign Chair and Partner at BKD, spoke about highlights from the fundraising campaign, including the Talent Show!, Pass the Pig, and Raise Your Hand, and recognized the campaign cabinet. She revealed that the community contributed $1,260,244 to the campaign with an additional $82,935 raised in matching funding through a Lilly Foundation grant, bringing the total to $1,343,179. “We thank each of you for all of your efforts, all of your time, and all of your dedication in order to make this campaign a success. Without you we could never have ensured that all of the services our agencies and initiatives carry out will continue through 2019. I want to thank each of you who responded and who gave what you could to the campaign.”
Donations support effective local programs that help people learn more, earn more, and lead safer and healthier lives. United Way works with 25 member agencies around the region and many other partners to help provide opportunities to improve education, increase economic mobility, and have access to life’s essentials like housing, food, healthcare, and emergency aid to those in our community who need them most. United Way supports initiatives and member agency programs designed to strengthen the Monroe, Owen, and Greene communities in the long-run while also helping people get back on their feet today.
David Johnson, United Way Board President and Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Indiana University, shared, “As part of a higher education institution, I’ve always thought it’s my responsibility to contribute to United Way – it’s a part of what we do, it’s a part of our culture. We’re in the business of changing people’s lives with education at IU, and United Way changes people’s lives every single day. They impact people’s lives in so many ways and we are so proud to be part of this community.”
Several workplaces and individuals received awards for their outstanding contributions to United Way including their five largest workplace campaigns, which received the Community Builder Award. These campaigns were Indiana University, IU Credit Union, Cummins, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, and German American.
In addition, two organizations, Hoosier Energy and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, were honored with the Business Partner of the Year for providing significant time, treasure, and talent to help United Way positively impact the community.
The Spirit Award recognizes an energetic volunteer who helps makes the annual campaign more successful than it would be otherwise. This year’s winner, Vanessa McClary, shared her vivacious spirit and can-do attitude with United Way. As President of the South Central Indiana Kiwanis Club, she engaged the membership to contribute to the campaign and ensure that our neighbors can learn more, earn more, and lead safer and healthier lives.
Indiana Legal Services and Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington were recognized with the Member Agency Campaign of the Year Award for their spirit of partnership addressing challenges together and for running outstanding campaigns.
The Champions of Hope Award celebrates employers that gave their United Way campaigns new energy and increased participation and engagement. This year’s winners, City of Bloomington, Ivy Tech Community College, and Monroe County Government, showed significant growth through their motivation and drive to improve the community.
Bob Zaltsberg, recently retired editor of The Herald-Times, was honored with the Mary Alice Gray Memorial Award for Extraordinary Service. This award recognizes United Way volunteers who have made significant and sustained contributions to the organization. As editor of the local paper, Zaltsberg understood and honored the important role the third sector plays in the community. He created a lasting impact as a strong, consistent, and fair voice for democracy, both locally and beyond. Mr. Zaltsberg modeled a habit of charitable giving within the workplace, responded to requests for in-kind support, and encouraged his staff to share the stories and impact of nonprofit agencies and everyday citizens.
In accepting the award, Zaltsberg shared, “I’m humbled by an award like this. I was just doing my job for the last 33 years. I think a good newspaper gets into the community and tries to tell the story of everyone who matters – which is everyone who lives in the community. United Way has been a big part of what I support since I’ve been here -- since the first time a Herald-Times person gave me a pledge card. I’m a proud supporter of United Way and all their agencies – and all the other nonprofits they work with to solve the problems of the community.”
United Way of Monroe County improves people’s lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through its Community Action Fund and grant initiatives, United Way works with 25 member agencies and community partners to focus resources on the building blocks for a better life: education, earning, and the essentials.