2012 United Way Campaign Exceeded Goal

United Way of Effingham County has completed another successful campaign, raising $335,744. The 2012 campaign was the fifth consecutive year that the organization has raised more than $300,000. The campaign officially closed on January 31.

The winners of the 2012 Spirit of Caring Awards were announced at the organization's annual meeting, as well as the businesses who achieved Gold, Silver and Bronze status. Partner agencies were recognized, and a review was given of the record setting 2012 Campaign.

(2013 UNITED WAY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS PEGGY VALENTI {campaign chair and immediate past president}, MEL STOCK {vice president}, ROSS RICHARDSON {president}, JANE SUMMERS {treasurer}, and ANGELA BROWN {treasurer})

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.

Tuscan Hills Winery was named 2012 Outstanding Volunteer. Tuscan Hills donates product, merchandise and baskets for the United Way events, and celebrated their First Year Anniversary in June by holding the “First Annual Swine & Wine Anniversary Party”. The event featured free food, music and prizes every hour, and 10% of proceeds from the event went to United Way.

St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital was named 2012 Outstanding Organization. The hospital has been a Lead Pacesetter for the past three years. They conduct an active employee campaign raising approximately $20,000. In addition, they have sponsored bake sales, raffles, jeans
day, baby photo contest, and “Minute to Win It” fundraisers for their campaign. St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital also has representation on the Board of Directors and attends United Way events.

Mel Stock was named 2012 Outstanding Board Member. Stock joined the Board of Directors in 2010 and represents Midland States Bank. He has served on various committees; Grants Committee, Special Events Committee and the Executive Committee. He served as Treasurer in 2011, and Campaign Chair in 2012. He will take on the role of Vice President in 2013, and serve as Board President in 2014. Stock presented at many employee campaigns.

(SPIRIT OF CARING AWARD RECIPIENTS: MEL STOCK {outstanding board member}, AMANDA PITCHER AND TUSCAN HILLS WINERY {outstanding volunteer}, AND DR. RYAN JENNINGS OF ST. ANTHONY'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL {outstanding organization})

Other business included seating eight new and renewing directors for the 2013 Board of Directors. New directors include: Justin Roley - Land of Lincoln Credit Union and Cyndi Tyler-Klauser – Heartland Dental Care. Those serving another term include: Shanta Will – West & Company, Roy Shelley – Patterson Technology Center, Mel Stock – Midland States Bank, Mike Klauser – Heartland Dental Care, and Jane Summers – Community Member. Special thanks was given to outgoing board members Cassie Campton – Yellowbook, and Bob Lakin - Walmart for their term on the board.

(INCOMING/RETURNING BOARD: MEL STOCK, JUSTIN ROLEY, JANE SUMMERS, ROY SHELLEY, AND MIKE KLAUSER {not present were Cyndi Tyler-Klauser and Shanta Will})

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. Companies include: Agracel, Fifth Third Bank, First National Bank of Dieterich, Heartland Dental Care, HMAC (Hitachi Metals Auto. Comp.), Koerner Distributor, Midland States Bank, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Siemer Milling Company, Stevens Industries and Washington Savings Bank.

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: Ameren, Koerner Distributor, Midland States Bank, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Siemer Milling Company and Stevens Industries. Silver level businesses, raising $5,000 - $9,999 include: Agracel, HMAC (Hitachi Metals Auto. Comp.), Niemerg’s Steakhouse, Sherwin Williams, Southeastern Container and Wal-Mart. Bronze level businesses, raising $2,500 - $4,999 include: Fifth Third Bank, First National Bank of Dieterich, Heartland Dental Care, JC Penney Company, UPS and
Yellowbook.

(GOLD-SILVER-BRONZE GROUP PHOTO, LEFT TO RIGHT, FIRST ROW: ROB PFEIFFER, JOAN THIES, LORA BAIRD, DACIA HARKINS, KYNDY SCHAEFER, ANGELA BROWN, CONNIE LILLEY, MIKE KLAUSER, JANE SUMMERS; SECOND ROW: DARLENE LOGUE, PAUL WEBER, LARRY O'DELL, DR. RYAN JENNINGS, MARK THIES, KIM SMITH, RICK SIEMER AND JODI KATZ)

Other local businesses that conducted an employee campaign were also honored: Catholic Charities, CEFS, Consolidated Communications, Crossroads Bank, Effingham County employees, Enterprise, Federal Express, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Hodgson Mill, Holland Energy, John Boos & Co., Martin’s IGA, Senior Services of Effingham County, Teutopolis Unit #50, and Washington Savings Bank.

21 local agencies will receive funding from the 2012 United Way of Effingham County campaign: American Red Cross – Effingham Disaster Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters Mid-Illinois, 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), Christian Counseling & Family Services, Effingham Child Development Center, Effingham County FISH Human Services, Effingham County Search & Rescue, Effingham County Youth Commission, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, 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.

The effort helped exceed the 2012 campaign goal of $290,000.

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