SC United Way approves $1,060,500 in allocations

SIDNEY — President Scott Barr reports the Shelby County United Way recently completed the annual partner agency allocation process in March and April.

Six allocation teams consisting of over 40 people including board members, company, and community volunteers conducted agency reviews. The teams were comprised of Impact Areas: Investing in Youth and Families 1, Investing in Youth and Families 2, Promoting Health & Well Being, Supporting Critical Human Needs, Rebuilding from Adversity, and Community-Wide Initiatives.

“We are excited to share we have increased the total investment to the community close to $80,000 based on the success of the past two annual campaigns. We increased the budgets for the allocation committees. We continue to add new people to the allocation process which provides accountability and ensures the community’s dollars are impacting Shelby County’s greatest needs. We leverage the experience and skill set of our board of directors and community volunteers to evaluate and make recommendations to our partners,” said Barr.

In addition to the 21 member board of directors, this year’s community volunteers were Connie Barhorst, Air Handling Equipment; Doug Borchers, Superior Aluminum; Ed Borchers, retired Superior Aluminum; John Bertsch, Detailed Machining; Jackie Davis, Mutual Federal; Jared Heitman, NK Parts; Brett Baumeister, Farmers & Merchant Bank; Adam Vanderhorst, Prudential; Hannah Dapore, Choice One Engineering; Heather Pollard, Sidney Tire and Best One Tire; Mickey Hamer, retired Cargill; Aaron Watkins, WiseBridge Wealth Management; Shane Newland, American Trim; Cameron Eisenhart, Sidney Body CarStar;Chad Geuy, Shaffer Manufacturing; Arthur Franklin, city of Sidney; Julia Frantz, retired and 2023 co-large manufacturing division leader; Brittney Fullenkamp, Airstream; Jana Potts, former United Way employee; Josh Ross, Ruese Insurance; and Jami Youngm, Electro Controls.

“Our commitment of $1,060,500 is an increase close to $80,000 over last year. In addition to our allocation commitments, we had approximately $84,000 in out of county designations to employees home United Way’s or counties. Our investment in the region is close to $1.1 million dollars and with awarded grants well exceeds over 40 local organizations,” said Barr

The Board of Trustees approved the recommended agency allocations during their April Board Meeting. The agencies’ awards are: CASA/GAL, $20,000; SafeHaven, $18,000; Clear Creek Farms, $15,000; Compassionate Care, $75,000; Victim Services, $47,000; Samaritan Works, $60,000; Emergency Housing & Utilities, $18,000; Mercy Mission House, $75,000; Alpha Community Center, $51,000; IMPACT Program, $50,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $50,000; Catholic Social Services Counseling, $30,000; Imagination Library, $10,000; Miami Valley Council Boy Scouts, $25,000; New Choices, $55,000; Rehabilitation Center, $20,000; Sheriff’s STAR House, $35,000; Workforce Partnership Career Coach, $15,000; Senior Center Sidney/Shelby County, $40,000; Shelby County ESC Opportunity School, $19,500; Shelby County ARC, $17,000; Sidney/Shelby County YMCA Childcare, $105,000; Catholic Social Services Senior Health, $45,000; Wilma Valentine CLC, $70,000; Agape Distribution, $40,000; 211, $5,000; Special Project Grant Pool, $30,000; Student United Way Grant Pool, $10,000; POWER Grant Pool, $10,000.