United Way of Lake County Closes 2019 Campaign on High Note Announcing 93,833 Services Provided to Residents in Need
Mentor, OH (June 3, 2020) – United Way of Lake County’s (UWLC) 2019 Campaign Chair, Vanessa Tey Iosue, President of Burges & Burges Strategists, closed the 2019 campaign at UWLC’s May 28, 2020 board meeting alongside UWLC President & CEO Jennifer McCarty. Due to the pandemic, this is the first year the organization held a virtual annual meeting.
A luncheon meeting with over 250 guests is normally held in April or May. This year, a video served to recap the year, complete with an awards presentation and debut of the impact UWLC made within Lake County by service area. The video also highlights the impact that was made thanks to all who donated to their Lake County Relief Fund. This can be viewed on UWLC’s website at www.uwlc.org/videos. A soon to be released second video will honor the organizations, employee campaign managers and others who contributed to UWLC’s work.
Tey Iosue announced that 93,833 services were provided to residents in need through UWLC’s support of agency programs. Beyond this, over $130,000 has been raised to-date from the organization’s Lake County Relief Fund.
In addition to the thousands of services provided, UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty announced that the organization provided over 40 local food pantries with enough food for 330,134 meals throughout 2019. This is a 43% increase over the previous year’s 230,427 meals
“The work we do here is solely for the benefit Lake County residents, and our 2019 campaign is such a win for our community thanks to the focus and determination of Vanessa,” said McCarty. “We take our role of addressing the local needs of our community seriously and are proud of the work we do to help those in need, especially now during the pandemic when needs are greater than ever before.”
According to Tey Iosue, “It has been an honor to serve as United Way of Lake County’s Campaign Chair this past year. The organization has extraordinarily deep roots in our local community that are nearly one hundred years old. Knowing the legacy of such an established and well-regarded organization, I was excited to be able to put my skills as a strategist to work for a non-profit.”
According to Jean Sency, UWLC Vice President, “Vanessa brought innovative new ideas to our fundraising efforts. She also worked tirelessly and selflessly to set us up for future success, and the impact she has made will far outlast her time here. That is the mark of a great leader.”
“I plan to continue my support of United Way of Lake County and urge others to join me. When you give to United Way of Lake County your donation helps assure the availability of an entire network of services that no one agency alone can provide,” said Tey Iosue.
The 93,833 services UWLC provided in partnership with the agencies they help support include:
- 27,968 congregate meals were provided to seniors in need.
- 292 babies from low-income families received formula.
- 27,451 emergency services were provided to those in need.
- 9,972 children benefited from mentors and youth enrichment programs.
- 27,010 referrals for help were provided to residents in need.
- 210 domestic violence survivors benefited from refuge and care.
- 921 people received substance abuse treatment.
- 476 homeless persons received shelter and care.
- 4,137 medical and dental visits were funded for those in need.
- 807 people benefited from prescription assistance.
- 838 people received mental health counseling services.
- 18,450 children benefited from reading and education programs.
Scot Park of Artower Advisory Services will succeed 2019 Board Chair Scott J. Marn of Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. as the new Chairman of the Board.
Special recognition was given to UWLC’s Community Impact Champions which include Education Impact Champion Lisa M. Habe, President and Chairman of Interlake Stamping in Willoughby, Financial Stability Impact Champion Classic Auto Group, and Health Impact Champion Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. Mentor Wealth Management Group.
Highlights of UWLC’s Virtual Annual Meeting included:
- Recognition of four Cornerstone Award Winners: The Lubrizol Corporation for Largest Corporate Gift, The Lubrizol Corporation for Largest Employee Campaign, STERIS Corporation for Largest Employee Campaign Dollar Increase, and Mentor High School for Largest Student Campaign.
- Recognition of outgoing Chairman of the Board, Scott J. Marn of Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
- Recognition of outgoing board member Bob Lee of The Lubrizol Corporation, retired.
Announcement of the following UWLC award recipients included:
- Gus Gehring award for excellence in volunteerism and leadership: Richard Frey, Community Volunteer.
- Matt Logies award for giving, advocating, and volunteering – the very foundation upon which UWLC is built: Lori Caszatt, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library
- Power of One award: Scott J. Marn, Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
- Outstanding Woman Leader of the Year award: Michele Johnson, Lighthouse Advisers
- Emerging Leader of the Year award: Andrew Phelps, PNC Bank
- “Look for the Helpers” awards: Elaine Barnard, Community Volunteer; Tom Brew, Britton Gallagher; Ellen Foley Kessler, WINT Integrity Radio; Christine Margalis, Lake County General Health District; Maria Kula, STERIS; Katherine Kurkov, Clicks by Kat; and Patty Perry, ProMark Enterprises, Inc.