Kosciusko?County United Way held its annual campaign celebration Wednesday at The Vic in downtown Warsaw. United Way Board President Josh Gordon, vice president commercial relationship manager at Old National Bank, announced that the campaign raised $1.5 million. Gordon, whose term on the board ended, will serve as the 2017 campaign chairman. Adam Turner, of Turner and Valentine, becomes president of the board. Pat Coy was recognized for her 15 years of leadership with United Way as executive director. During her tenure, Coy raised more than $25 million, implemented the current Vision Council funding process, initiated Day of Caring and was the first director to raise $2 million in a single campaign. She also worked with other organizations to help establish: • 2-1-1 • Kids Smile Kosciusko • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. • Volunteer Kosciusko • Client Track • Drug court program • Serenity House “Pat has been a driving force in moving our United Way from a hand-out to a hand up organization, creating lasting change in our community. She has encouraged us all to be better organizations with more effective outcomes. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her,” Gordon said. Gordon also introduced Coy’s replacement Darren Bickel. Bickel has 23 years of experience in non-profit work, most recently as vice president of community impact with the United Way of Elkhart County. He also has played an active role in Indiana ALICE Report and the governor’s early learning advisory committee. Bickel spoke about what he sees as boundless possibilities that can transpire from the foundation that has already been built. “I am humbled by the shoulders I’m standing on,” he said. Gordon said pacesetters this year – Maple Leaf Farms, Kosciusko Community Hospital and 1st Source Bank – raised $59,152. In addition, the Indiana Association of United Ways has provided a grant of $99,000 to support self-sufficiency programs in Kosciusko County, Gordon said. Gordon also announced awards of excellence to recognize companies that ran exceptional campaigns. Those include: •?Lake City Bank – 18 percent growth in employee giving. • Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation – 32 percent growth in employee giving. • Paragon Medical – Increased participation by 30 percent and employee giving by 50 percent. • Tecomet – Held a new employee campaign adding $2,499 to the campaign total. Tabitha Cooper, of Paragon Medical, was named Key Leader of the Year. Cooper was described as “the embodiment of what it means to Live United.” “We want to thank her for her extraordinary work by honoring her as the Key Leader of the Year for 2016,” Gordon said. Volunteer of the Year was Nathan Conley. “Annually, we take the time to recognize an individual who embodies the mission and values of the United Way through their donation of time and their skills,” Gordon said. He thanked the 2016 campaign chairman, Brad Durcholz, of Zimmer Biomet, and acknowledged other board members who have completed their tenures, including Tony Garza, Kitty Cheatham, Bill Harman and Brett Boggs. Two board member serving a second term are Conley and Adam Turner. New board members are Matt Linville, Debbie Yingling and Blaine Conley. Event sponsors were Old National Bank, Allegra Printing, Maple Leaf Farms, One Ten Craft Meatery and The VIC.
