The Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration was held on Tuesday, April 19th at theSkiff In-Service Room. Over 50 individuals representing community businesses and organizations, United Way community partner agencies, community impact team members, employee campaign coordinators from local businesses, and current and past United Way board members, were in attendance. Retiring board members Mark Parriott from TPI Composites and community member Kala Shipley were recognized for their outstanding service to the United Way over the past six years.
Three new board members for the 2011-2012 year were introduced: Brad Magg from Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe/Magg Family Catering in Prairie City, Terri Rock from TPI Composites, and Kim Thomas from Monroe City Hall. The 2011-2012 United Way Board Officers were also introduced as follows: Dan Goetz from News Printing Company as President, Toni Peska from Newton Manufacturing as Vice President, Dr. Michelle Cazett from Wal-mart Vision Center as Secretary, Corinne Coyle from Advantage Credit Union as Treasurer, and Andrea Smith as Past President.
Brad Magg of Colfax Kim Thomas of Monroe Terri Rock of Newton Mark Parriott & Megan Crawford
Community businesses and organizations with increased workplace campaign pledges were presented with a plaque or plate with their percentage of increased giving for the Fall 2010 campaign. Overall, $298,230 was pledged in the fall 2010 campaign. Community Impact Team conveners Travis Padget, Bryan Friedman, and Regina Sarmento shared what their teams have been working on to make a positive impact in Jasper County around the top critical needs identified in the 2009 county-wide needs assessment, which include substance abuse/mental health, personal finance and economic stability, and positive support for parents.
United Way volunteers were recognized for their contributions in campaign fundraising efforts, allocations/community investment review process, community impact team involvement, and Oktoberfest. Eldon Pals was named the Volunteer of the Year for 2010. He volunteers as a driver for the RSVP’s Jasper Ride program for over 40 hours a month. RSVP is a United Way community partner agency that receives grant funding for three programs: Jasper County Ride program, HEART elementary literacy, and tax assistance.
Incoming United Way president Dan Goetz highlighted the goals and plans for the 2011-2012 year. They include: Celebrating 30 years as a United Way, utilizing the new office location on the downtown Newton square to be a more visible and accessible organization, continuing to inform residents about the FamilyWize prescription discount card, having the United Way’s first summer intern to help the United Way and Health Community Impact Team develop a county-wide health and human service resource guide, revisiting and updating the organization’s strategic plan, diversifying funding sources to continue to meet the needs of Jasper County residents, prioritizing outreach and positive community relations with Jasper County communities outside of Newton, and continuing in the United Way’s community impact plan by supporting the three community impact teams and focusing funding priorities on the top critical needs identified in the needs assessment.