Treasurer’s Office wins annual Caring Cup United Way competition

Each year, Lorain County departments have a friendly competition to see which can raise the most to support United Way of Greater Lorain County’s collaborative approach to powering community transformation.

The department that wins receives a traveling trophy called the Caring Cup with its name and year engraved on the trophy.

The winning department keeps the trophy on display in their office throughout the year.

This year’s winner was the Lorain County Treasurer’s Office with an average gift amount of $62.33 and 75 percent participation, according to a news release from United Way.

William (BJ) Ries and Lisa Dawson from the Treasurer’s Office were presented the Caring Cup by United Way of Greater Lorain County president and CEO Ryan Aroney, Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass, and payroll supervisor Sara Thompson, during a livestream on the local United Way’s Facebook page.

Mike Doran and Denise Yusko represented the Lorain County Recorder’s Office, the department that won the Caring Cup last year.

“What we do in government, is about community,” Snodgrass said. “We are here to serve the public, and I think partnering with United Way, our missions are very similar. We serve people.”

The Caring Cup has gone back and forth between the Treasurer’s Office and Recorder’s Office since the start, five years ago.

The trophy was a personal donation by Snodgrass to energize the campaign.

“Next year, we’re going to try to get our name on there for back-to-back years,” Ries said. “… Glad it’s back, and glad everyone continues to donate and help United Way out in any way they can.”

Aroney stressed the importance of United Way’s partnership with Lorain County government.

“It’s been critical this year to help hardworking people get back on their feet, help kids be ready for school … and help people remain healthy,” Aroney said. “All of that work is even more heightened during this year and throughout the pandemic, and it’s work that we can’t do without you, so we thank all of you.”

Finishing behind the Treasurer’s Office were the Recorder’s Office, the Auditor’s Office and Lorain County Public Health, which also raised the largest dollar amount for any department, the release said.

Lorain County Public Health also serves as the lead agency for three of the local United Way’s Community Collaboratives focused on health and education.

“Next year, we’re going to try to get our name on there for back-toback years. Glad it’s back, and glad everyone continues to donate and help United Way out in any way they can.” — William (BJ) Ries, Treasurer’s Office