ASHLAND — The United Way of Ashland County hopes to raise $850,000 for the charitable organization’s partner agencies this campaign season.
About 200 people gathered Thursday morning for breakfast and a quasi pep rally for the United Way’s fundraising efforts for next year.
“Who doesn’t love a community pep rally, right?” said Stacy Schiemann, United Way of Ashland County’s executive director.
Despite the annual breakfast’s fun tone, the reason for gathering is somber, she noted.
“There are times in this community, everyday, where people are faced with having to choose between paying for utilities or groceries or prescriptions,” Schiemann said.
“We are still having these issues, even in a community as lovely as ours.”
She said it takes a village, all of Ashland, to make sure the basic needs of the county’s less fortunate residents are met.
Money has already started pouring in from events held throughout the summer, such as Fun Fridays! at Foundation Plaza, Stuff the Bus, Back-2-School and Amish Health and Safety day.
Lead the Way
A significant portion of donated funds have come from what United Way calls “pacesetters,” community businesses and organizations that have promised to raise a certain amount.
Centerra Co-Op, for example, pledged to raise $55,000. Charles River Laboratories has pledged another $22,000.
This theme to this year’s fundraising campaign has been dubbed “Lead the Way.”
Campaign co-chairs Casey and Kelly Cooke provided a few examples of what they think it means to lead the way.
Kelly Cooke recalled a recent conversation with Steve Paramore, superintendent of Ashland City Schools. She asked if he’d be at Thursday’s United Way breakfast.
“He was like, ‘oh, I’m really sorry, I’m not going to be able to make it — I’ll be out driving,’” she said, adding Paramore later clarified he’d be driving a school bus because of a shortage.
“That’s leading the way,” she said.
She pointed to Sandra Tunnell, executive director of Ashland Main Street, as another example of someone who led the way around a decade ago to get the nonprofit aimed at revitalizing Ashland’s downtown launched.
To learn more about United Way and how to be involved in this year’s fundraising campaign, visit their website.