ASHLAND – United Way of Ashland County is more than one-third of the way to exceeding its campaign goal for a record-setting 10th consecutive year thanks to its pacesetter organizations.
At Thursday morning’s breakfast at Ashland University, the United Way announced that the pacesetters had raised $389,010 to kickoff the 2017 Caring for Our Own campaign, surpassing the pacesetter goal of $337,860 which was announced on Aug. 11 at the Pacesetter Kick-off Breakfast. The campaign’s total goal is $1,101, 010.
“We’ve got a long way to go. People say, ‘Oh you’re going to do it again.’ I’m not sure if we can do it again. But I think we’re going to work hard to get there,” said Ev DeVaul, executive director of United Way of Ashland County.
The 14 pacesetter organizations include Abbott Ashland Retirees & Alumni, Ashland City Schools, Ashland University, BCU Electric, Coldwell Banker Ward Real Estate, Farmers & Savings Bank, Loudonville/Perrysville Schools, Lutheran Social Services, Mapleton Local Schools, Snyder’s-Lance Inc., Town & Country Co-Op, University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center, Whitaker-Myers and the United Way Partner Agencies.
Each pacesetter organization announced their totals using a popular TV show theme, ranging from “Let’s Make a Deal” to “Duck Dynasty,” complete with Ashland Supt. Doug Marrah and Ashland Middle School Assistant Principal Steve Paramore “hunting” for ducks.
Campaign Chairman Al Holdren was thankful for how many people in Ashland County give toward the United Way.
“We have more than 5,000 donors and a population of 50-some thousand. I think that’s incredible,” Holdren said.
DeVaul acknowledged the tragic events that have unfolded in Ashland in the past few weeks, but reminded people that there is hope.
“We have to be proud of what we do and overcome the last couple weeks. Because we’re much better than that and we don’t want those things to happen again,” DeVaul said.
“Don’t let the unfortunate events of the last few weeks weaken the spirit and passion we have for this community. I think we as leaders and people who believe in the United Way and this community have to step forward and say what we’re proud of. What we have passion for in this community.”
DeVaul urged people to use Twitter and the hashtag “passionforashland” to spread the word about all the good things in Ashland.
“We have to send the message of how important this community is to us.”
DeVaul thanked all those who give to the United Way and told them what a difference they make.
“You don’t have to give. You don’t have to donate. You don’t have to volunteer. But you do it because you care. You care because you want to make a difference. You want to make a difference because it’s in your heart,” DeVaul said.
