2018 campaign chairman named

United Way of Lake County has appointed Morris Beverage III of Lighthouse Advisers as its 2018 campaign chairman.

Beverage will follow 2017 campaign chairman Mark Sutherland of Lubrizol Corp.

Beverage is co-founder, financial adviser and president of Lighthouse Advisers, an independent financial services firm based in Mentor. Before initiating a partnership to form his own firm, Beverage worked for years in a variety of regional and multinational bank and financial services firms.

A Lake County native, Beverage attended Lakeland Community College and Cleveland State University, where he earned a

master’s degree.

Beverage said he was shocked and honored at the appointment.

“You don’t realize you’re in that role until you’re in that role,” he said, noting that he’s already began working with UWLC staff. “I’m excited and want to get a jump on the ball. The list of past chairs is an impressive list of diverse professionals, my dad included. Having the opportunity to lead the campaign is something you don’t say no to.

“I know it’s a lot of work, but it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it. Every time I look deep into the organization, I realize the need is still there and it’s not going away. Resources have become scarce. I want to bring as many ideas and new faces as possible and help close this gap. The million dollars from United Way of Greater Cleveland (that) UWLC stopped receiving doesn’t stop the need here.”

Beverage is a graduate of Leadership Lake County, a board member of Lake Health Foundation and a new board member of UWLC. He currently serves as chairman of Lighting the Way, a collaborative biennial fundraiser benefiting both Lake Health Foundation and UWLC.

Beverage recently served as fundraising chairman and board vice president of the Miracle League of Lake County. He’s previously served as a board member for the Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation, and has served as both a board member and board president for the Lake County Historical Society.

Beverage also has held numerous fundraising roles in support of additional organizations, including the Lake County Free Clinic, Lifeline Inc., Northeast Ohio Family Planning Association, Birthright, Lakeland Foundation, Crossroads, Lake County Humane Society and the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce.

In 2017, Beverage received UWLC’s Matthew A. Logies Ambassador Award, one of the organization’s most prestigious accolades. He also received their inaugural “The Power of One” community impact award.

Last month, Beverage raised more than $10,000 for UWLC through his “Dress Up January” fundraiser. The year before, the campaign’s first year, he raised nearly $5,000.

Jennifer McCarty, president and CEO of UWLC, said she’s pleased to have Beverage on the organization’s side.

“Morris’ willingness to jump in, roll up his sleeves and go to work is a testament to his character, work ethic and love of Lake County. It’s also a testament to his belief in our organization and the work we do to help Lake County’s most vulnerable residents.”

Beverage believes that a strong community where people uplift one another leads to a better life for everyone.

“United Way of Lake County is the best way to help the most people, and positively impacting our community has always been important to me,” he said. “I’m passionate in my belief that giving should start at home, right here in our own back yard. People ask me why I choose to do something like this and I answer, ‘Why not?’ There’s not another organization in Lake County I know of that does the work they do on the scale they do.”

Beverage III