937-492-2101

info@shelbycountyunitedway.org

Location

232 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH 45365

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Our Story

1894
1894

The Associated Charities was formed to oversee charity work and fund collection efforts.

1931
1931

The Sidney Community Chest was formed.

1936
1936

The Triangle Chest was launched as a combined fund drive by the Boys’ Club, the Boy Scouts, and The Salvation Army. Mrs. William Ross, grandmother of brothers Dr. Bill and Dave Ross, was the executive secretary of the Triangle Chest.

1945
1945

Shelby County War and Community Chest was morphed out of The Triangle Chest. H.A. Binkley was the Drive Chairman while Rudy Berg was the Industrial Division Chairman. Marcus Sellers led a volunteer group to complete a “house to house” solicitation of retired persons

1953
1953

Between 1945 and 1953, the Shelby County War and Community Chest became the Sidney Community Chest. A survey to the community indicated a lack of interest in a joint campaign.

1957
1957

The Shelby County United Fund was established by a powerhouse of community leaders. The Shelby County United Fund’s board president was Jerome Raterman (Monarch Machine Tool), first vice-president was J. Oliver Amos (Amos Press), and second vice-president was Frank Gleason (Copeland Corporation). These men decided what Shelby County needed was a permanent organization with a staff to address Community needs on a regular basis.

1957
1957

First Campaign Chair, H.E. Roth of Sidney Tanning Company. Roth and his campaign team ran the first Sidney United Fund campaign. They raised $70,119.

1957
1957

First Executive Director was Irene Collier. She remained in this position for the next seventeen years. During her tenure, the campaign goal increased from $70,119 to $139,000.

1976
1976

Judy Wagner was Executive Director and Rich Wallace was the Campaign Chair. The campaign topped $200,000 for the first time; reaching $202,000.

1977
1977

Shelby County United Fund became Shelby County United Way in an effort to align with the national organization.

1980's
1980's

Top corporate leadership helped take giving to the next level by increasing giving from $202,000 to $500,000. Bob Cross, vice-president of Copeland Corporation was the Campaign

1980’s cont'd
1980’s cont'd

Manager. Other business leaders involved in the campaign were Dick Pope (Stolle Corporation), Fred Kirk (Kirk NationaLease), Dan Francis (Amos Press), and Paul Boorman (Copeland Corporation).

1988
1988

Judy Wagner retired after an outstanding career of service. During her tenure the campaign grew from $161,300 to $620,000.

1991
1991

Charlotte Rehmert became the Executive Director. Linda Coffman was the Campaign Chair raising $771,051 during an economic downturn which many believed would not allow the Shelby County United Way to reach its’ campaign goal.

1990’s
1990’s

Successful campaigns and good planning allowed the Shelby County United Way to provide startup funding for ‘special projects’ each year.

1998
1998

Campaign Chair Bruce Boyd and Board President Dale Luebke were able to accomplish the first one million dollar campaign.

2003
2003

Iddy Andrews became the Executive Director. The campaign goal of $1,150,000 was met and exceeded.

2010
2010

Bob Parker became the Executive Director. Under his leadership, the Shelby County United Way moved toward Community Impact Funding. The I.M.P.A.C.T. program, a school based family counseling referral program, was first awarded funding.

2013
2013

Scott Barr became Executive Director.   P.O.W.E.R. Women’s Initiative was launched.


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2015
2015

The Shelby County United Way launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library


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2017
2017

Student United Way launched.””

2019
2019

Our women’s initiative group, POWER, reached over 100 members and continues to advocate for programs and initiatives that benefit children and their families in Shelby County through POWER-ful Grants and Kindergarten Tutoring Program.


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2020
2020

COVID-19 Response:  Shelby County United Way stepped up with allocating over $65,000 in emergency funding for rent/utility/food assistance, joined with Community Foundation to help start the 2020 Recovery Fund and partnered with WOFB to host a Food Distribution Drive-thru.


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2021
2021

Shelby County United Way partners with Workforce Partnership of Shelby County to create the Career Coach position to work with graduating seniors identify appropriate career paths

2023
2023

Karla Young hired as President and CEO

Vintage Pledge Cards

Through the Years