ASHLAND – When Ev DeVaul came to Ashland after graduating from Bowling Green State University five decades ago, he could never have imagined he would spend the next 50 years working here or the impact he would have on the community.
“It’s a great community. Great educational system. People feel safe. Good place to raise your kids. Why leave?”
He won’t be leaving Ashland anytime soon, but the Medina County native is retiring as Executive Director of the United Way of Ashland County on Feb. 2 after more than 10 years at the helm of the charitable organization.
DeVaul made his home in Ashland after being hired as a teacher with Ashland City Schools in 1967. For the next 31 years DeVaul served the school district as a teacher and then as athletic director. After retiring from the schools, he became Marketing Director for an athletic uniform company owned by longtime Ashland residents Bob and Jan Archer. Eight years later, DeVaul took over as Executive Director of the United Way of Ashland County in October 2006 in the middle of a campaign.
“I was encouraged to apply, so I did, and now over 10 years later here we are,” DeVaul said. “When I took this job I said I’d do it five years, and I’ve done it 10.”
DeVaul said that after the five years had passed, he just wasn’t ready to retire yet.
“I’ve worked a lot of years and never felt that I didn’t want to go to work. You wake up one morning and say ‘It’s not time yet,’” he said.
But now, it is time.
“I’ve worked 50 years and I think it’s time to maybe do some Ev stuff.”
That “Ev stuff” will include spending more time with his wife, Judith, and his grandchildren. His other plans are a little more up in the air, but he’s okay with that.
“I’m looking forward to being able to do things on my time,” DeVaul said.
The United Way of Ashland County has reached its goal on all nine campaigns DeVaul has guided. With a few months left in DeVaul’s 10th and final campaign, the campaign has reached approximately 90 percent of its goal of $1,101, 010.
“We always like to do it before then (March 31 when the campaign ends) but we’re just trying to find the dollars to support the agencies. That’s what we do,” DeVaul said.
Ashland County has suffered through some tough economic times during DeVaul’s tenure with the United Way, but county residents have always come through to help each other.
“It was remarkable during those years of a depressed economy because they knew the need was there. And that just really sold me on what this county does to help other people. And we’ve extended that with great volunteers and donors to go nine in a row,” DeVaul said. “It’s a pretty special county and I’m glad I’ve been a part of making that happen.”
The United Way of Ashlnd County raises funds for 14 partner agencies: ACCADA, American Red Cross, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Ashland County Cancer Association, Ashland County Council on Aging, Ashland Parenting Plus, Ashland YMCA, Associated Charities, Catholic Charities, Hospice of North Central Ohio, Catalyst Life Services, Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Mohican Area Community Fund, and The Salvation Army.
“I’m just glad I could be a part of this with the passionate partner agencies. United Way is just simply about helping people and that’s what we work on. We’ve changed a lot of lives. We’ve helped a lot of people. That’s the good satisfaction feeling that I have, that we’ve made an impact on our agencies as well as with our community impact initiatives on health education and financial stability,” DeVaul said.
“I would say when Ev came on board 10 years ago he breathed new life into the United Way of Ashland County,” said Jerry Strausbaugh, executive director of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center. “He has brought energy, creativity, and has taken our United Way farther than anyone ever thought possible. He is a uniter. He is the kind of person that makes people feel special and recognized. He will be greatly missed. All of the agencies owe him a debt of gratitude for the amount of resources he has brought to them. I will personally miss his energy, professionalism and infectious positive attitude.”
DeVaul points to the Ashland United Way being honored as the top in the state as one of the highlights of his time with the organization.
“When you’re dealing with 80-some United Way across Ohio and to be selected to do that, it’s a pretty nice honor. So that’s definitely up there at the top,” he said.
He also mentioned adding several new activities and outreaches as highlights of his time with the United Way.
“We had some great Fun Fabulous Fridays and Ring In Springs. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library and just many new thing that affect a lot of kids, adults and older people of Ashland County. So we’ve touched at all levels,” DeVaul said.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has gotten more than 55,000 books to local kids over the past five years.
“That’s been our emphasis, that we’ve got to get kids ready to have school success, and that certainly has helped,” DeVaul said.
Michelle Vanderzyden, president of the board of the United Way of Ashland County, praised DeVaul for his efforts over the years to help the people of Ashland County.
“Ev has been an exceptional Executive Director for the United Way of Ashland County. During his tenure he has built and strengthened relationships and awareness within the community of the need to help one another. Ev has led successful campaigns culminating in the Ohio United Way of the Year award. He has much to be proud of, identifying needs in our county and effectively supporting and at time helping to create, programs that meet those needs,” Vanderzyden said. “We are grateful for the work Ev has done out of his passion for Ashland and will miss his ever encouraging spirit. He has put forth an exemplary effort for Ashland and we know this is a much deserved retirement and always wish him the best. We hope to continue the tradition of excellence he has created.”
Although the Ashland United Way has reached its goal nine straight years, it has not been an easy task.
“Every year the campaign gets tougher, as far as raising money. We’ve got a lot of loyal donors, but we’ve lost a lot of great donors who have passed away. We’ve had some companies close. Or we’ll have a change in management or personnel that don’t understand what we do so that can dramatically affect the income that we have coming in through donors. So it’s a challenge and it’s gotten more difficult every year. We just have to keep working at it and sharing the message of what we do and how we do it and how we’re transparent with our dollars and how we invest them wisely in people that need help,” DeVaul said.
Before moving on to enjoy his retirement, DeVaul said he will have one week to help the new director get their feet wet.
“I’ll move on and the new director will move in, just like I did,” he said.
DeVaul is excited about his retirement, but knows it will take some time to get acclimated to not having to go to the office every day.
“It’s a matter of processing that I’m not going to work here for awhile. Just like when I was AD, I did that for 27 years and then I decided to go to a football game and I didn’t have to go at 4:30. I could go at the regular time and watch the game and not be responsible for it,” DeVaul said. “It’s a process you’ve got to go through to understand that you’re not going to work and you can kind of do what you want and enjoy your wife and grandkids and family and concentrate more on yourself.”
When asked about his legacy, DeVaul was his typical, humble self, deflecting the praise away from himself.
“I’m glad that I could be the captain of the ship. But the captain of the ship can’t run the operation without great people, staff and donors. Because without donors and volunteers, this organization wouldn’t exist,” DeVaul said. “I’m happy that we took along a good ship of volunteers and donors and we sailed the 10 years at sea that were pretty happy for me.”
