United Way of Lake County Kicks Off 2024 Legacy Campaign with the Announcement of Campaign Co-Chairs and Two Impressive Raffles
September 4, 2024 – Mentor, OH – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) launched its 2024 Legacy Campaign on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, with a vibrant kickoff event held over breakfast in the Food Court of the Great Lakes Mall. The event was attended by more than 175 community leaders, agency partners, and business and organizational leaders, signaling strong community support for this vital initiative.
Campaign Co-Chairs Nancy and Ed Brown returned to lead the campaign, having previously served as co-chairs in 2009. The Browns are the founders and owners of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa in Mentor and Lyndhurst at Legacy Village. They are also the owners of The Brown Aveda Institutes in Mentor and Strongsville, and the Casal Aveda Institute in Niles. They employ over 250 team members across their organization and have a long history of giving back to the communities they serve.
Reflecting on their decision to return, the Browns shared, "Serving as Co-Chairs for United Way of Lake County's 2024 campaign is a true honor for us. Having held this role fifteen years ago, we are even more inspired today by the incredible spirit of our community. Our love for Lake County and our commitment to making a difference have only deepened over the years. It’s a privilege to give back to a place that means so much to us, and we are excited to work alongside the team at United Way, their board, our campaign cabinet, and the many volunteers, organizations, agencies, and businesses in our community to build a brighter future for our neighbors in need."
“We are honored to have Ed and Nancy back. Their return as Legacy Campaign Co-Chairs is not just a homecoming but a powerful statement about the enduring commitment they have to serving Lake County and impacting the lives of our most vulnerable residents,” said UWLC President & CEO Dione DeMitro.
In a special announcement during the event,DeMitro revealed two exciting raffle prizes donated to drive donations throughout the campaign. Mentor Nissan has generously contributed $10,000 in cash, while the Browns have donated a lifetime of free monthly services to Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa. These prizes will be raffled off through April 30, 2025, with tickets available for purchase at uwlc.org/salon, where complete details and contest rules can also be found. All proceeds will benefit Lake County residents in need.
The Legacy Campaign kicked off with an energizing welcome from members of the Mentor High School band, color guards, and majorettes, who greeted guests with lively performances that set a celebratory tone for the morning.
DeMitro addressed the guests, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and urging attendees to rally behind the Legacy Campaign, stating that UWLC has a long history of making a difference in our community and that the organization’s Legacy Campaign is about building upon that foundation to ensure current and future generations benefit from the support and services UWLC provides.
“We live in a very different world today than we did in 2009, but I still believe that people have more in common than not. I like to think that we all share the belief that every child in Lake County deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, to have three meals a day, a roof over their head, access to high-quality education, and the assurance that they are loved. I also believe that everyone is entitled to a safe place to live, including shelter for our homeless, refuge from domestic violence, and access to healthcare,” said DeMitro.
For more information about UWLC’s 2024 Legacy Campaign or to find out how you can get involved, visit uwlc.org. Contributions can be made online at uwlc.org/give or checks payable to United Way of Lake County can be mailed to the organization at 9285 Progress Pkwy., Mentor, OH 44094.