United Way thanks for kickin’ in

To the editor:

On behalf of Brianna’s Hope, Boy Scout Troop 202, Girl Scouts, Community Centers in Dunkirk, Pennville and Portland, Jay County Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Jayland Emergency Fund, Homeless Shelter, Jayland Partners, JRDS, Second Harvest Food Bank, Youth Service Bureau and disaster relief, the United Way thanks you for being a part of the 2025-26 Campaign Kickoff at Portland Golf Club.

The Campaign Kickoff Day was packed with breakfast; a benefit golf outing, with the hole in one sponsor Patriot Auto Sales and Service; family fun night with Emerick Rental donating the bounce house; live music with Ken Bantz; and an ending with fireworks donated by Southern Thunder.

Our sponsors are amazing. Their generous donations made the day fun-filled. 

A big shout out to all the volunteers and the Portland Golf Club for a great event.

Breakfast: M and M Market of Geneva, Troyer’s of Berne, WalMart of Portland and Jay County Special Olympics Team Indiana.

Golf Outing: Hole Sponsors: Patriot Auto Sales and Service, The Anderson’s Grain of Dunkirk, First Bank of Berne, Runyon Racing Stables, Second Harvest Food Bank, Poet BioRefining, IU Health Jay, Schmit Chiropractic, Jay County REMC, Joyce/Dayton, Denney Family and Funk-Kirby Family.

Prize Sponsors: Woodbury Family, Portland Golf Club, Wings and Rings, JaMar Appliance, Greazy Pickle, Pizza Hut, Arby’s, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Jay County Solid Waste, Pink Barn, Richards Restaurant, Cooper Farms, WPGW, Denney Family and Patriot Auto Sales and Service.

Other special events happening this campaign will be the online auction in December and the Splashing with a Passion: Peggy’s Plunge in February. We appreciate your support at the 2025-26 Campaign Kickoff and hope to raise $140,000 and more to help those in need in our community.

United Way has been helping our community since 1958.

Together we are building a brighter tomorrow for everyone.

Live United.

Jane Ann Runyon

Executive director

Cindy Denney

Special event chair

United Way of Jay County