ASHLAND — It’d appear after Thursday morning’s campaign kickoff that “ain’t nothing” — not even a hound dog — will keep the United Way of Ashland County from its 2020 campaign goal.
After falling 17 percent short of last year’s $990,000 goal, the United Way announced intentions to raise $850,000 through its “Rockstars & Legends” campaign by February 2020 — just under $29,000 more than what it brought in last year from donors.
“Last year, because of the funding provided by the community, over 17,000 people were served (locally),” Stacy Schiemann, executive director of the United Way of Ashland County. She hopes more can benefit this year.
As of the kickoff breakfast, the United Way had already raised more than 37 percent of the goal — or at least $321,512. The amounts raised by “Pacesetter Companies” were announced and then celebrated via a sort-of lip-sync, rock concert, which kicked off at 7:30 a.m. at Ashland University.
Representatives of Brethren Care Village lip-synced their own version of “I Love Rock and Roll,” but asked the audience to join them in singing “United Way” in place of “Rock and Roll.” They had already raised more than $12,500.
And later, a man in a black wig, representing University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center, sang Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog.” Upon the conclusion of his performance, the audience learned University Hospitals had raised $40,000 for the United Way.
Other contributions included: more than $5,000 from Ashland Comfort Control, $45,000 from Ashland University, more than $20,000 from BCU Electric, $8500 from Ashland County West Holmes Career Center, $29,000 from Ashland City Schools, $18,200 from Abbott Ashalnd Retirees and Alumni, more than $55,000 from Centerra Co-Op (topping its 45,000 goal), $9,500 from First Knox National Bank, $7,000 from Loudonville-Perrysville Schools, $6,250 from Spire Advertising, $39,000 from Packaging Corporation of America and $24,725 from the United Way’s partner organizations.
Schiemann explained the theme, “Rockstars and Legends,” is to recognize those who “make the campaign a success every year.” She thanked the “Pacesetters,” but urged everyone to “get a ticket to the show.” Whether someone purchases a front row seat or one of the nosebleeds, she says every contribution matters to the United Way’s 15 partner agencies.
“We need everyone to participate in this campaign to make it successful,” she said.
These agencies include: Ashland Parenting Plus, Associated Charities, Ashland Cancer Association, Ashland Access, Ashland County Council on Aging, Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Ashland YMCA, Catholic Charities, the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, Olive Tree Care Program, American Red Cross, Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Hospice of North Central Ohio and the Ashland Christian Health Center.
Leading this year’s campaign are Joe and Brittaney Reep. Joe is the owner of Ashland Comfort control and Brittaney is associated with the Ashland Community Foundation.
They said, they hope to have fun with this year’s campaign.
