United Way Again Exceeds Campaign Goal

The Annual Meeting for the United Way of Effingham County was held Monday evening at the Knights of Columbus Building in Effingham.  The highlight of the evening was the announcement that the United Way of Effingham County had another successful campaign, raising $329,910. The campaign goal was $300,000. The campaign officially closed on Sunday.

The winners of the 2015 Spirit of Caring Awards were announced, and the businesses were also honored who achieved Gold, Silver and Bronze status. Agracel was also recognized as the “Lead Pacesetter” company, partner agencies and review of the record setting 2015 Campaign were also highlighted.

(THE 2016 UNITED WAY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: PEGGY VALENTI (VICE-PRESIDENT), ROSS RICHARDSON (PRESIDENT), SHANTA WILL (TREASURER); STANDING--MEL STOCK (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT), ROY SHELLEY (SECRETARY), AND KELSEY GOECKNER (CAMPAIGN CHAIR))

The Spirit of Caring Awards recognize individuals who are committed citizens and organizations that stand out, giving countless hours to improve the quality of life in Effingham County. Trent Schmid with Schmid Auction was named 2015 Outstanding Volunteer. The United Way of Effingham County has greatly benefitted from its partnership with Schmid, who has donated his time and auctioneering talent to raise funds during the live auction at fundraising events. He uses his auctioneer expertise to get the highest price possible for items donated to the live auction.

(SPIRIT OF CARING AWARD WINNERS: TRENT SCHMID (OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER), CHERYL PRUEMER (OUTSTANDING BOARD MEMBER), AND ROY SHELLEY ON BEHALF OF PATTERSON TECHNOLOGY CENTER (OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION))

Patterson Technology Center was named 2015 Outstanding Organization based on their support throughout the year to United Way. They began raising funds for United Way in 2005. Their first employee campaign was held in 2014 and grown to raising over $9,600 with their 2015 campaign thru employee donations and fundraising activities. Approximately 90% of the 350 in-house employees participate through various activities and the employee campaign. Patterson Technology Center employees know how to raise money and have fun doing it. They also supports United Way by attending fundraising events, sponsoring and donating items for the fundraisers, and have representatives on the Board of Directors.

Cheryl Pruemer was named 2015 Outstanding Board Member. She joined the Board of Directors in 2014, representing McDevitt, Osteen, Chojnicki, Deters Law Firm and has held various roles on the board. Cheryl has served on various committees and most recently served as 2015 Campaign Chairman and United Way officials say she was instrumental in the success of the 2015 campaign.

Other business included seating seven new and renewing directors for the 2015 Board of Directors. New members include: Ashley Buehnerkemper – Heartland Dental Care, Misty Campos – HSHS St Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Marty Watson – Ameren, and Denise Walk – Patterson Technology Center. Those serving another term include: Roy Shelley – Patterson Technology Center, Mel Stock – Midland States Bank and Shanta Will – West & Co.

(NEW AND RENEWING BOARD MEMBERS: SEATED--MEL STOCK, ROY SHELLEY, SHANTA WILL; STANDING--MISTY CAMPOS, MARTY WATSON, ASHLEY BUEHNERKEMPER AND DENISE WALK)

Special thanks was given to outgoing board members: Mike Klauser – Heartland Dental Care, Jane Summers – Community Member and Justin Roley – Land of Lincoln Credit Union for their term on the board.

(OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS: JUSTIN ROLEY, JANE SUMMERS AND MIKE KLAUSER)

Pacesetter Companies were also recognized. They are companies who have conducted an employee campaign, made a corporate donation, and purchased a table at the United Way Gala. Over 85% of the annual campaign is generated from employee campaigns. They include:  Agracel, Ameren, Consolidated Communications, Dieterich Bank, Heartland Dental Care, HSHS St Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Koerner Distributor, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, Midland States Bank, Patterson Technology Center, Siemer Milling Company and Stevens Industries.

Gold, Silver and Bronze level plaques were presented to the businesses based on their campaign totals. Gold level businesses, raising $10,000 or above include:  Agracel, Ameren, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Koerner Distributor, Midland States Bank, Siemer Milling Company, and Stevens Industries. Silver level businesses, raising $5,000 - $9,999 include; Dieterich Bank, Niemerg’s Steakhouse, Patterson Technology Center and Wal-Mart. Bronze level businesses, raising $2,500 - $4,999 include; Crossroads Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Hodgson Mill and Sherwin Williams Company.

(GOLD/SILVER/BRONZE BUSINESSES: SEATED--PAM HEMMEN, J.R. ELDER, KELSEY GOECKNER, PEGGY VALENTI, AMANDA EMMERICH, JANE SUMMERS, LYNN HIGGS, LESLIE ECKERT, THERESA SCHACKMANN AND ROY SHELLEY; STANDING--JENNIFER WESTENDORF, JAY BUEHNERKEMPER, MISTY CAMPOS ROSS RICHARDSON, LINDA JANSEN, LORA BERGFELD, MARTY WATSON, RICK SIEMER, BETH MEYER, JACK SCHULTZ, SHARON HARPER AND JASON RUNDE)

Other local businesses that conducted an employee campaign were also honored:  Cargill, Catholic Charities, Consolidated Communications, Continental Mills, Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota, Effingham County employees, Enterprise, Federal Express, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Heartland Dental Care, HMAC (Hitachi Metals Auto. Comp.), JC Penney Company, John Boos & Company, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, Martin’s IGA, Senior Services of Effingham County, UPS and Washington Savings Bank.

22 local agencies will receive funding from the 2015 United Way of Effingham County campaign: Big Brothers Big Sisters Mid-Illinois, Blessings in a Backpack, Boy Scouts of America- Lincoln Trails Council, CASA of Effingham County, Catholic Charities, CEFS Golden Circle Nutrition Program, CEFS Literacy Program, CEFS Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Effingham Child Development Center, Effingham County FISH Human Services, Effingham County Search & Rescue, Effingham County Youth Commission, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Heartland Human Services, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), One Hope United, Oneighty, Senior Services of Effingham County, Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE), Strategic Training & Restoration (STAR), Stopping Woman Abuse Now (SWAN), and the Unit 40 Mentoring Program.

Many of the United Way Agencies would not be able to provide services to Effingham County residents without the contributions made by local individuals and businesses. For more information about United Way of Effingham County, please call (217) 342-3824 or visit www.effinghamunitedway.org.