The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
United Way closes 2019 Campaign with virtual meeting
Organization provided 93,833 services to residents in need
United Way of Lake County’s 2019 fundraising campaign was unlike any other.
But despite a health emergency that shut down businesses, restaurants, public facilities, social agencies and workplaces, the nonprofit saw increased impact, and managed to provide nearly 94,000 services to Lake County residents in need.
Chair Vanessa Tey Iosue, president of Cleveland-based Burges & Burges Strategists, closed the 2019 campaign at UWLC’s recent annual meeting alongside the organization’s President and CEO Jennifer McCarty.
Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, this is the first year UWLC held a virtual annual meeting.
As in previous years, the meeting served to recap the year, highlighting accomplishments and recognizing individuals’ and local corporations’ contributions to the community, including donations to the Lake County Relief Fund.
Iosue announced that 93,833 services were provided to residents in need through UWLC’s support of agency programs. Beyond this, over $130,000 has been raised to date from the organization’s Lake County
Relief Fund.
McCarty noted that UWLC also provided over 40 local food pantries with enough food for 330,134 meals throughout 2019, a 43 percent increase over the previous year’s 230,427 meals.
“The work we do here is solely for the benefit Lake County residents, and our 2019 campaign is such a win for our community thanks to the focus and determination of Vanessa,” McCarty said.
“We take our role of addressing the local needs of our community seriously and are proud of the work we do to help those in need, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic, when needs are greater than ever before.”
Iosue said it was an honor serving as campaign chair.
“The organization has extraordinarily deep roots in our local community that are nearly 100 years old,” she added. “Knowing the legacy of such an established and well-regarded organization, I was excited to be able to put my skills as a strategist to work for a nonprofit.
“I plan to continue my support of United Way of Lake County and urge others to join me. When you give to United Way of Lake County, your donation helps assure the availability of an entire network of services that no one agency alone can provide.”
Although no 2020 Campaign chair has been named yet, UWLC confirmed it will place increased focus on the critical needs of the community that have been brought on by the pandemic.
“So many people are hurting,” said Tami Lewis, UWLC director of marketing and communications. “Not only is this due to high unemployment rates, but the need for mental health services has increased and there has been a rise in domestic violence. We’ll address many of these issues.”