United Way of Ashland County falls short of campaign goal

ASHLAND – United Way of Ashland County raised $821,700 through its 2019 “The Hero in U” campaign, falling 17 percent short of its $990,000 goal.

Executive Director Stacy Schiemann acknowledged her disappointment as she announced the campaign total at the United Way chapter’s annual meeting Thursday, but she also took time to celebrate what the campaign team and community were able to accomplish. 

“We have tallied a lot of 100 percent campaigns, one after another, so this can feel like a loss initially. I will tell you that I have lost a lot of sleep over it,” Schiemann said. “But the conclusion I have come to is that we spend a lot of time worried about the 100 percent, and that is where we can lose perspective.”

Schiemann said United Way campaigns are about serving the collective good and taking some of the burden of fundraising off partner agencies so the agencies can better serve the community. 

“Our team made of staff, board members and campaign volunteers worked tirelessly to get to our final number. I don’t want the amount of hard work, generosity and good will that was this year’s campaign to be lost in the final tally,” Schiemann said. 

Among the campaign successes this year was a generous effort put forth by pacesetters– the local businesses, organizations and partner agencies who help lead the way by setting their own individual goals and fundraising or urging employees to make contributions early in the campaign. This year’s pacesetters surpassed their goal and raised $319,182– nearly 39 percent of the campaign total. 

Because the overall campaign goal was not met, United Way will have to reduce the amount of money it allocates to its 15 partner agencies to fund community programs in 2019, Schiemann said.

United Way has not yet notified the partner agencies of the exact totals they will receive, but the campaign total was 83 percent of the goal. 

The partner agencies are ACCESS, American Red Cross, Appleseed Community Mental Health Safe Haven Shelter, Ashland County Cancer Association, Ashland Christian Health Center, Ashland County Council on Aging, Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Ashland Parenting Plus, Ashland Y, Associated Charities, Catholic Charities, Hospice of North Central Ohio, Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Olive Tree Care Program and Salvation Army. 

In addition to recapping the campaign, the annual meeting is a time for United Way to elect new board members, announce new officers and honor outstanding volunteers.

New officers are Clint Leibolt as president, Todd Geren as vice president, Cameron Peden as secretary and Brittaney Reep as treasurer. New board members are Chris Bevington, Linda McKibben, Dennis Miller, Catherine Puster and Angela Ringler. 

Michelle Vanderzyden was recognized as the J. Robert Tipton Volunteer of the Year for 2018.

Schiemann said Vanderzyden exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism, having devoted her adult life to United Way. 

“Starting in the 1980s as an intern serving under then executive director Jan Archer, she found not only a love of service but a love of United Way,” Schiemann said of Vanderzyden. 

Vanderzyden has served as volunteer campaign chair and as pacesetter chair. She has starred in campaign videos. She has served on United Way’s board for six years, including an unprecedented three years as president. 

Under her leadership, the board navigated the retirement of previous executive director Ev DeVaul and the hiring of Schiemann. 

“She has been firm, kind, visionary, and exactly what United Way needed during this period of transition,” Schiemann said. “She has led with competence and grace and she’s held my hand, been my cheerleader and kicked me in the butt when required… She’s always put the needs of United Way first.”

Vanderzyden is retiring from the board but said she plans to stay active with United Way. 

“I can’t go away from United Way because I believe so strongly in what this organization does and how well it does it,” Vanderzyden said.