Emerging Leaders Raise a Record $30,000 at 10th Annual Golf Outing September 2

Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County Raise a Record $30,000 at Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser September 2, 2023 

Emerging Leaders also Award $25,000 in Grants
 

Mentor, OH (September 18, 2023)  – The Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County raised a record $30,000 at their sold-out tenth annual Golf Outing Fundraiser held Friday, September 1, 2023, at Black Brook Golf Course in Mentor.

Over 120 golfers turned out for a day on the green in support of our mission. 

“Our goal to uplift Lake County’s youth is the driving force behind everything we do. We work to support programs that provide services to children in need within our local community,” said Kerry Jonke, Emerging Leaders’ chair. “Our Emerging Leaders are a special group of people who care tremendously about the community where they live and work, and I am thankful for all who volunteered to make the day possible.”

The Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County seek to be catalysts for change in the lives of Lake County youth through leadership, advocacy, knowledge, and education in order to facilitate positive behaviors that will create tomorrow’s leaders. They work toward this, in part, via the support of 501(c)(3) and nonprofit organizations in Lake County with grants that promote a similar mission geared toward youth.  

Grants totaling $25,000 were also awarded during the golf outing. Representatives from three local nonprofits whose programs directly impact the lives of children in Lake County were present. Recipients included Lake County Captains Charities who received a $4,500 grant in support of the Captains Reading Program, Lifeline who received a $13,000 grant in support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Childhood Literacy program, and NAMI Lake County who received a $7,500 grant in support of the Ending the Silence program.

This is the Emerging Leader’s eighth grant funding cycle, which began in 2016. Since this time, they have awarded a total of $151,154 in grants, which includes this year’s distribution.

The group was established in 2014 by a core group of United Way volunteers. Their purpose includes engaging, empowering, mentoring and supporting the youth of Lake County in the achievement of their goals and is accomplished through the group’s philanthropic efforts of giving, advocating, and volunteering. 
The Emerging Leaders raise donations in support of their grant program primarily through their annual golf outing, made possible by presenting sponsor, Lighthouse Advisers.

According to United Way of Lake County President & CEO Dione DeMitro, “It was a beautiful day for the golfers and our hearts were warmed by the support we received. I am especially grateful to all of our sponsors, including Lighthouse Advisers who have served as the presenting sponsor for many years, and to the kind folks from Leolo Hospitality who provided amazing food for everyone.”

Additional sponsors included Griffin Technology Group, Sheet Metal Workers #33, Stanley Steemer, Paul Davis Restoration, Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity, X Press Printing Services, Mentor Nissan, Willoughby Hills Auto Repair, Dworken & Bernstein, and Crossroads Health.

Members of Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County range in age from 21 to 40 years. If you are interested in learning more about the group or becoming a member, visit uwlc.org/emerging-leaders-el.