Annual campaign underway

The United Way of Jay County annual campaign is underway.

The organization recently kicked off its campaign — the theme is Cultivate Kindness — recently with a donation incentive at local businesses.

Following the theme, donation buckets were set at local businesses and organizations. Those who donated received a KIND bar.

“I just think with what this world is like, we just need a constant reminder,” said campaign chair Traci Gross, who is in her second year in that role. “And donating to the United Way is a great way to cultivate kindness to several organizations in our community and just a way to help out our community.”

In addition to the KIND bar donation incentive, there was a glow ball golf tournament fundraiser at Portland Golf Club that netted about $1,500.

This year’s campaign goal is $145,000, up by $5,000 from the last several years. To donate, visit unitedwayjaycounty.org or call at (260) 726-7010.

“We need to raise money so that we can not only help to fund the agencies that we normally fund but … we can be able to take part in other things in the community, be eligible for grants,” said United Way of Jay County executive director Jane Ann Runyon, also noting that keeping the community informed about the organization’s work is important. “We’ve been able to help with a lot of other things in the county.”

The work beyond providing funding directly to local organizations this year has been partnering with The Portland Foundation to earn a $1.5 million grant from Indiana United Ways for the renovation of the former Judge Haynes Elementary School to become Jay County Early Learning Center.

United Way of Jay County also manages a grant from Emergency Food and Shelter to fund local food pantries and works with Second Harvest Food Bank on the food tailgates that are typically held on the first Wednesday of each month at Jay County Fairgrounds. 

It has also been involved in providing assistance following natural disasters.

Partner agencies currently include BSA of America, A Better Life – Brianna's Hope, Girl Scouts, Jay Community Center, Jay County Cancer Society, Emergency Fund, Jayland Homeless Shelter, Jayland Partners, Jay Randolph Developmental Services, Pennville Community Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Pennville Community Center, Jay County Special Olympics, West Jay Community Center and Youth Services Bureau.

“The agencies could not function and do what they need to do without the support not only of the community but of the funds from the United Way,” said Gross. “The United Way does so much more than just funding. They are constant support for our agencies.”

She spoke from personal experience as the director of fund development and marketing for Jay Randolph Developmental Services.

“We can go to the United Way for anything that is needed and they help out as much as possible,” Gross added. “As an agency ourselves, we rely on the funding from the United Way every year so that we can do the little extras that we need to do and provide what’s needed for our clients. And I’m sure all the agencies are like that.”

Campaign cabinet members in addition to Gross, who is serving as the service organization chair, are board liaison Patrick Wells, education chair Rex Pinkerton, professional chair Tami Vormohr, small business chair Jeanna Ford, agriculture chair Mark Tillman, health care chair Monica Goble, government co-chairs Mike Weitzel and Patrick Wells, leadership co-chairs Pam and Pat Bennett and special events chair Cindy Denney.

United Way board members are Wells (president), Annie Simmons (vice president), Goble (secretary), Emily Richards (treasurer), Rick Gibson, Brad Stultz, Kathy Lawrence and Ashley Landers.