Our Story

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

The Sidney Community Chest was formed.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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).

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

The Shelby County United Way launched Character Playbook, Building Healthy Relationships.

Student United Way launched.

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.

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.