United Way of Effingham County Sets $300,000 Campaign Goal

United Way of Effingham County has set a $300,000 fundraising goal for the 2015 campaign.

The goal was announced at Tuesday's annual kickoff luncheon. United Way board members and representatives of the 22 local partner agencies that will receive funding from the campaign were on hand.

(CHERYL PRUEMER)

Campaign Chairman Cheryl Pruemer of McDevitt, Osteen, Chojnicki, and Deters law firm said United Way is accurately named, as the organization's volunteers, the partner agencies and others in the community will work together to reach this year's goal.

The luncheon featured video testimonials from heads of companies who have supported United Way in the past, as well as those from agencies who benefit from the funds raised. The guest speaker was Agracel, Incorporated President Dean Bingham. Agracel has been chosen the "lead pacesetter" for this year's campaign. Bingham discussed the various ways his firm has raised funds for United Way through fun and low pressure methods. He said the company has done everything from jeans days to various food fests to bags tournaments to dodgeball to a "Mr. Agracel" contest that Bingham won, receiving the dubious honor of wearing a dress throughout the workday.

(DEAN BINGHAM)

Bingham stressed that the events should not involve a lot of money; $5 per person or the like. He said the campaign will eventually raise a lot of money for United Way and also generate team building at your business.

Justin Roley of Land of Lincoln Credit Union is this year's United Way board chairman. Other board members are Beth Meyer of Siemer Milling Company, Chris Etter of Re/Max Key Advantage Realtors, Community Member Jane Summers, J.R. Elder of Stevens Industries, Kelsey Goeckner of First National Bank of Dieterich, Community Member Larry O'Dell, Lora Bergfeld of Midland States Bank, Mel Stock of Midland States Bank, Mike Defend of Crossroads Bank, Mike Klauser of Heartland Dental, Patty Greene of Thelma Keller Convention Center, Peggy Valenti of Koerner Distributor, Ross Richardson of HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, Roy Shelley of Patterson Technology, Community Member Sara Jennings, Shanta Will of West and Company, and Tony Crackel of Bahrns Equipment.

This year's United Way Partner Agencies are Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Blessings in a Backpack, Boy Scouts of America Lincoln Trails Council, CASA of Effingham County, Catholic Charities, CEFS Golden Circle Nutrition Program, CEFS Literacy Program, CEFS Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Effingham Child Development Center, Effingham County FISH Human Services, Effingham County Search and Rescue, Effingham County Youth Commission, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Heartland Human Services, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), One Hope United, Oneighty, Senior Services of Effingham County, SAFE, STAR, SWAN, and Unit 40 Mentoring Program. NAMI is new to the local partner agency list this year.

A reminder that 99% of funds raised through the United Way of Effingham County campaign will stay here in the county, and one of every three people will use the services provided by the local partner agencies.

Here's Greg Sapp's interview with United Way Board Chairman Justin Roley about this year's campaign...