2017 United Way Campaign Generates $331,665

The 2017 United Way of Effingham County campaign raised $331,665.

The total was announced Monday night at United Way's annual meeting. The campaign officially closed on January 31.

The winners of the 2017 Spirit of Caring awards were announced, and the businesses were honored that achieved Gold, Silver or Bronze status. Stevens Industries was recognized as the Lead Pacesetter company, partner agencies were recognized, and the campaign was reviewed. 

(2017 SPIRIT OF CARING AWARD RECIPIENTS: OUTSTANDING BOARD MEMBER MARTY WATSON, OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION SIEMER MILLING COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES RACHEL MILLER AND RICK SIEMER, AND OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER ONEIGHTY AND REPRESENTATIVES MATT NIEBRUGGE AND DARIN HANSEN)

The Spirit of Caring awards recognize individuals who are committed citizens as well as organizations that stand out, those who make an impact on the campaign, and others who give countless hours to improve the quality of life in Effingham County.

Oneighty was named 2017 Outstanding Volunteer. Darin Hansen and volunteers from Oneighty played a key role in creating United Way campaign videos used for employee campaigns. They most recently helped with the production of the 2017 campaign video.

Siemer Milling Company was named 2017 Outstanding Organization. The company began their first campaign in 1980, raising $500, and have grown their campaign through the years, raising more than $20,000 for 2017. In honor of their 135th anniversary, the Teutopolis-based company gave each employee $135 to donate to the charity of their choice, and many chose United Way.

Marty Watson was named 2017 Outstanding Board Member. Watson joined the United Way board in 2016 representing Ameren. He has served various roles on the board, including Vice President in 2017, and will serve as President for 2018. He helped Ameren raise more than $31,000 for the most recent campaign.

(INCOMING/OUTGOING/RETURNING BOARD MEMBERS ARE: SEATED, LISA KOERNER (incoming), KELSEY GOECKNER (returning), PEGGY VALENTI (returning); STANDING, LORA BERGFELD (returning), MIKE DEFEND (outgoing), PATTY GREENE (returning), LARRY O'DELL (outgoing). UNAVAILABLE FOR PHOTO, INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS TYLER SEMPLE AND CINDY GRUNLOH AND OUTGOING BOARD MEMBER J.R. ELDER)

Other business at Monday's meeting included seating seven new and renewing directors for 2018. New members are Lisa Koerner of Stevens Industries, Cindy Grunloh of Crossroads Bank and Tyler Semple of Heartland Dental. Those serving another term are Kelsey Goeckner of Dieterich Bank, Peggy Valenti of Koerner Distributor, Lora Bergfeld of Midland States Bank, and Patty Greene of Thelma Keller Convention Center. Outgoing board members recognized were Mike Defend of Crossroads Bank, Larry O'Dell, a community member, and JR Elder of Stevens Industries.

Pacesetter companies were recognized. They are companies who 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, Crossroads Bank, Dieterich Bank, Heartland Dental, HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, Koerner Distributor, Midland States Bank, Patterson Technology Center, Siemer Milling Company, Stevens Industries and Washington Savings Bank.

(GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE AWARD BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES: LESLIE ECKERT, SHARON HARPER, RACHEL MILLER, RICK SIEMER, PEGGY VALENTI, SHANTA WILL, NIKKI BLOEMER)

Gold, Silver and Bronze level plaques were presented to businesses, based on their campaign totals. Gold level businesses, raising $10,000 or more, include: Agracel, Ameren, HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, Koerner Distributor, Midland States Bank, Patterson Technology Center, Siemer Milling Company, and Stevens Industries. Silver level businesses, raising $5,000 to $9,999, include: Dieterich Bank and Niemerg's Steak House. Bronze level businesses, raising $2,500 to $4,999, include: Fifth Third Bank, Walmart, Washington Savings Bank and West and Company.

Other local businesses that conducted an employee campaign include: Catholic Charities, Consolidated Communications, Continental Mills, Crossroads Bank, Effingham County employees, FedEx, First Financial Bank of Newton, First National Bank of Waterloo, Heartland Dental, Hodgson Mill, John Boos and Company, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, RR Donnelley and Sons, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Senior Services of Effingham County, Sherwin Williams and United Fidelity Bank of St. Elmo. West and Company was recognized for conducting its first employee campaign.

25 local partner agencies will receive funding from the 2017 United Way of Effingham County campaign: Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters Mid-Illinois, Blessings in a Backpack, Boy Scouts of America-Lincoln Trails Council, CASA of Effingham County, Catholic Charities, CEFS Literacy Program, CEFS Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Children's Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois, Effingham Child Development Center, Effingham County FISH Human Services, Effingham County Search and Rescue, Effingham County Youth Commission, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Heartland Human Services, Meals on Wheels of CEFS, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), One Hope United, Oneighty, Senior Services of Effingham County, Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE), Strategic Training and Restoration (STAR), Stopping Woman Abuse Now (SWAN), and the Unit 40 Mentoring Program.

For more information about United Way of Effingham County, phone 217-342-3824 or visit www.effinghamunitedway.org.