In need of heroes

United Way of Jay County has relied on heroes since the arrival of Captain Jay in 2017.

In the year of COVID-19, the organization needs heroes more than ever.

With the traditional kick-off event at a football game canceled because of restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, United Way of Jay County launched its annual campaign Friday with its resident superhero making a visit to the office at John Jay Center for Learning.

The theme, again this year, is Superheroes United.

“Superheroes United last year had a meaning … within the county,” said Angela Paxson, who is co-chairing the campaign for the second consecutive year alongside her mom Barbara Street. “We wanted to bring everyone together …

“Even more so, I feel we are banding together … we need to get those superheroes who are behind the scenes and get them up front so we can help the county meet its goal this year. There are so many people in need and we’re not going to let COVID be the evil villain in this story. We’re going to defeat it.”

United Way of Jay County has already been active during the pandemic, most visibly hosting weekly free food tailgates in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. It has also provided funding to local community centers, food pantries, Jay County Boys & Girls Club, day cares and other organizations.

The annual United Way campaign provides support to local organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Jay County Association for Crippled Children and Adults, A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope, Jay County Cancer Society, Jay-Randolph Developmental Services, Second Harvest Food Bank, Youth Service Bureau, local community centers and others.

“I’m sure every single one of our partner agencies, plus, will be asking for more money because a lot of them have not been able to fundraise,” said Jane Ann Runyon, executive director of United Way of Jay County.

In addition to the elimination of the kick-off event, there are other challenges to fundraising during the pandemic.

United Way volunteers have not been able to get in front of large groups of employees at local industries to make their pitch. And they face similar challenges with their fundraising efforts in the schools.

The organization is hoping to use other avenues, including possibly adding an online donation option, to help close the gap and make it easier for supporters to donate.

“Obviously with COVID, the needs are great, and the opportunities to solicit those funds are less,” said Street. “Between a rock and hard stone is where we find ourselves right now.”

Organizations participating in the Pacesetter campaign still have already made $29,500 in donations, about 21 percent of this year’s campaign goal of $140,000. (That number has been reduced this year from the $175,000 mark of the last several years in light of the pandemic.) Those early donors include Moser Engineering, Performance Tool, Jay School Corporation, First Merchants Bank, First Financial Bank and Jay County REMC.

Campaign cabinet members include board liaison John Boggs, education chair Rex Pinkerton, professional co-chairs Drew Houck and Rita Lutes, small business chair Jeanna Ford, agriculture chair Mark Tillman, leadership co-chairs Pat and Pam Bennett, health care chair Vicki Delzeith, service organization chair Traci Gross, government co-chairs Don Denney, Dwane Ford and Mike Weitzel and special events chair Cindy Denney.

United Way Board members are Gross (president), Weitzel (president-elect), vice president Brenda Funk, treasurer Emily Richards, secretary Kristen Gibson, Monica Goble, Tamara Kaufman, Tami Vormohr and Drew Houck.