United Way thanks donors for supporting its efforts in the Coshocton community

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·3 min read

COSHOCTON − Companies were publicly acknowledged for their support of The United Way of Coshocton County during the recent annual awards breakfast. The top three supporters were McWane Ductile, Cleveland Cliffs and Coshocton Regional Medical Center.

The breakfast recognizes the top givers from the last fundraising campaign, gears up for the next and reiterates the importance of the charitable organization to the community.

Coshocton Regional Medical Center received the President's Award for donating more than $10,000 to the United Way of Coshocton County for the current campaign.
Coshocton Regional Medical Center received the President's Award for donating more than $10,000 to the United Way of Coshocton County for the current campaign.

"It's a great time to highlight all of our partner agencies in person and celebrate the work they're doing. It's also celebrating all the donors and thanking them for their support," said Director Emma Mitchell on the importance of the meeting. "Giving back resources to our community is the best way we can uplift the community of Coshocton, brighten it and make it better."

The current campaign is at 80% of its $300,000 goal with all divisions at more than 65% of its individual goals. Money will continue to trickle in until the 2024 to 2025 campaign starts around Labor Day. Last year, the $300,000 goal was hit for the campaign for the fist time since 2019.

The corporate sponsor for the current campaign is Cleveland Cliffs. Taking that role for the coming campaign is Kraft-Heinz. Corporate sponsors provide funding toward campaign expenses so all donations go directly to programming.

Members of partner agencies and representatives of donating entities recently attended the annual breakfast meeting of the United Way of Coshocton County. The event honors donors and partner agencies and prepares for the coming campaign season.
Members of partner agencies and representatives of donating entities recently attended the annual breakfast meeting of the United Way of Coshocton County. The event honors donors and partner agencies and prepares for the coming campaign season.

Organizational support

Donors are recognized for their contributions at different levels. Earning the President's Award for more than $10,000 donated was Cleveland Cliffs and Coshocton Regional Medical Center. CRMC CEO Stephanie Conn knows many of their patients benefit from United Way programs and they have the same goal of creating a healthy and strong region.

"United Way is obviously a very integral part of our community when it comes to giving back and sponsoring those community programs that are so important in keeping our community thriving," Conn said.

Earning the top giver award for the fourth consecutive year was McWane Ductile. General Manager Tom Crawford said United Way is plugged into the community and knows where the needs are. One of the easiest ways they can support the community is by supporting the United Way.

"It's an amazing place to live. Our employees benefit from being here and it really makes me proud they want to give back to the community," he said.

McWane Ductile was the top giver for the fourth year in the row for donating more than $10,000 to the United Way of Coshocton County for the current fundraising campaign.
McWane Ductile was the top giver for the fourth year in the row for donating more than $10,000 to the United Way of Coshocton County for the current fundraising campaign.

The local chapter currently has 12 partner agencies that receive financial support from the organization. They are the American Red Cross, Boys Scouts of America, Coshocton CARES, Coshocton County Handicapped Society, First Step Family Violence Intervention Services, Girls Scouts of USA, Maternal Child and Health Center, Coshocton County Salvation Army and recreation programs for Ridgewood, River View (with two) and Coshocton.

Funding also goes toward Community Impact Grants, The Dolly Parton Imagination Library and other programs. Partner agencies for 2023 received $135,350, including $12,650 to the Imagination Library. Other allocations and designations were $79,300.

Lisa Akers of Coshocton CARES said United Way support is crucial to what they provide to the community. This includes activities for students in kindergarten to seventh grades, advisory elements for those in seventh to 12th grades, parental supports and college fairs and visits. The organization helps students to achieve post-secondary goals at the county's three school districts and the Coshocton County Career Center.

Without United Way, Akers said they would have to cut staff and programs.

"Community is all about coming together. You have to have everybody behind you. I just feel that being a United Way agency, it adds a lot to when we go out in the public and ask for funds and contributions. Individual contributors and businesses support CARES, because they know we're a United Way agency and they're part of the United Way," Akers said.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Top donors recognized by Coshocton United Way at annual breakfast