Campaign kicks off

United Way of Jay County kicked off its 2015 campaign Friday at halftime of the Jay County High School football team’s game against the Adams Central Flying Jets.
The organization has set a goal of $175,000 this year.
“United Way helps so many organizations. I think that has to be the number one reason that it’s so important,” said Cindy Denney, who is serving as co-chair for the 2015 campaign along with Zach Chenoweth. “United Way gives an avenue for everyone to help.
“I think it’s one of those ideas that if you drop a penny in a bucket, it adds up. If you donate a dollar a week, that doesn’t seem like a lot of money, but when you multiple that by everyone who does donate, you’re looking at a lot of money that goes to so many worthy causes.”
Organizations participating in the Pacesetter campaign have already made about $28,000 in pledges toward the campaign goal. They include MainSource Bank, Jay County REMC, Moser Engineering, Performance Tool, POET Biorefining, The Graphic Printing Company, First Merchants Bank and Jay School Corporation.
The annual United Way campaign provides support to a variety of local agencies, including AGAPE Respite Care, Anthony Wayne Council, Bryant Community Center, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Jay Community Center, Jay County Association for Crippled Children, Jay County Cancer Society, Jay County Salvation Army, Jayland ARC, Jayland Homeless Shelter, Jay-Randolph Developmental Services, Pennville Community Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, West Jay Community Center and Youth Service Bureau.

“Without that money, some of the programs wouldn’t exist,” Denney said. “I think United Way is a great avenue for everyone to have the opportunity to donate.”
Friday’s kick-off event at halftime included a balloon launch and United Way volunteers tossing T-shirts and mini footballs to the crowd.
“It gives us an opportunity to be in front of a crowd that we might not otherwise have a chance to be in front of,” said Denney. “And the school kids, they’re amazing. …
“The schools have done such a fabulous job, and they do all kinds of events to donate money to the United Way. So it’s also a thank you.”
Other members of the campaign cabinet are John Boggs (board of directors liaison), Scott Benter and Steve Zielinski (industrial division), Vicki Tague and Mike Engels (commerce/professional), Andy Schemenaur, Katie Clark and Zach Keller (education), Pat and Pam Bennett (leadership giving), Mark Tillman (agriculture), Jeanna Ford (small business), Vickie Delzeith (health care), Traci Gross (service organizations and Connie Southworth and Mickey Scott (government)
The 2014 campaign brought in $190,253 of its goal of $200,000. It had reached $208,996 in 2013 after totaling about $190,000 each of the previous two years.