Ed Thomas, Shelby County United Way 2023 Campaign Chair, has announced the volunteer team to lead the 66th United Way fall campaign. The theme this year is; “Because of You”. Ed Thomas, John and Julia Frantz, Large Manufacturing Division Leaders, Scott Barr, President of the Shelby County United Way, and Karla Young, Incoming President and CEO of the Shelby County United Way have started the process of making CEO visits to Shelby County companies. Thomas has many returning division leaders for this year’s campaign.
Thomas served as the CEO of the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA for 15 years before retiring in 2020. His career with the YMCA spanned 38 years and covered four states, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas and finally Ohio, when he and his wife moved to Sidney in 2004. His past community involvement has included serving as Chairman of the Shelby County CASA/GAL Program and Applefest Boards, and as a Board member for the Mercy Mission House. Currently he is a Board member for Agape Distribution and Sidney Parks and Recreation. He also holds volunteer positions as the Connection Team Leader with the Valley Church, and Scripture Distribution Chairman and member of the Prison Ministry with the Shelby County Gideon’s. He was a former Membership Chair and current Scholarship Selection Committee member of the Rotary Club of Sidney. He is currently the Chairman of the YMCA Triangle of Honor Committee.
The Large Manufacturing Division will be led by John and Julia Frantz. John is the owner of Sidney Electric and Julia is a retired nurse. Julia has served many years rotating on different United Way Allocation Teams. This will be John and Julia’s first year as a division leader.
The Large Manufacturing Assistant will be Mickey Hamer, retired from Cargill. He is a board member of partner agency Shelby County CASA and will be serving in his third campaign.
The Small Manufacturing Division will be led this year by Jason Wagner, Commercial Lender for Minster Bank. This will be Jason’s eighth year as a division leader.
The Service Division will be co-chaired by Mark Shipman and Chris North. Mark is the Distribution Manager at Amos Media. This will be Mark’s fourteenth year to serve in a leadership role in the United Way campaign. Chris is the director of the Shelby County Veteran Service Commission. This will be Chris’s fourth year serving on the United Way campaign.
The Retail Division will be chaired by Jackie Davis. Jackie is the Chief Operating Officer for Mutual Federal. This is her twelfth year serving as a division leader. Jackie is a former Shelby County United Way Board Member and Executive Committee Member where she served as Treasurer.
In her sixth year leading the Professional Division is Ashley Himes. Ashley is the owner and insurance agent of Ashley Himes State Farm Insurance. She is serving her fourth year on the Shelby County United Way board and serves on the Executive Committee as the Board Chair.
The Health Care Division will be led by Jenny Huelskamp, Marketing Liaison at Wilson Health Foundation, and Mark Klosterman, C.E.O. for Wilson Health. This is Jenny’s eighth year serving on the campaign and Mark will be participating in his fifth campaign.
Andrew Bowsher, City Manager for the City of Sidney, will lead the City Employee’s campaign. This will be Andrew’s second campaign.
The County Public Service Division this year will be co-chaired by Bob Guillozet and Jodi Siegel. This is the ninth year for Shelby County Commissioner, Bob Guillozet and the seventh campaign for Shelby County Recorder, Jodi Siegel.
The Education Division will be co-chaired by Tiffany Rank, Sidney City Schools Communications Coordinator and Amy Simindinger, Juvenile Court Liaison, Midwest Regional Educational Service Center. Tiffany is serving on her eleventh campaign and a former United Way Board Member. Amy Simindinger is serving on her twelfth United Way campaign. Amy facilitates the I.M.P.A.C.T. Program, a United Way funded program. Amy will be leading the County Segment of the Education Division while Tiffany will lead the Sidney City Schools campaign.
Traci Milanese, Director of Compassionate Care will be joined by Emily Neu, Director of the Mercy Mission House as co-chairs of the Nonprofit Division for this year’s campaign. Both programs are United Way partner agencies. This will be Traci’s fourth campaign and first as a division leader for Emily after serving as the Community Development Director as an employee of the United Way last year.
The Retirees Division and Cornerstone Society Leadership Giving Division will be led by Shelby County United Way employee Jayne Smith and community volunteer Lenora Randolph. This is Jayne’s thirteenth year being a division leader in our campaign. Jayne is the Director of Finance and Administration. This will be Lenora’s first year on the campaign. Lenora is a former Shelby County United Way Board Member and Executive Committee Member where she served as Board Chair.
The 2023 campaign kick-off luncheon will be held on September 14th, 11:30 AM, at the Palazzo in Botkins and is open to the public with a complimentary meal provided. Reservations are not needed. The campaign will continue through the finale celebration on November 9th. The Finale will have a new venue and time of celebration as we are excited to host the event at the Historic Sidney Theater starting at 5:00PM with a cash bar and heavy Hors D’ Oeuvres. A shorter presentation will begin at 5:30PM.
Last year over $1,375,000 was raised during the annual campaign. Agency funding requests were significantly higher this spring and the allocation budget was increased by $80,000 to help meet some of those needs. The Shelby County United Way has introduced the 110% Club challenging donors if possible to increase their gift by 10% or more to assist in addressing increased requests by the partner agencies.