By: Juli Metzger—
Fundraising to support 29 programs aimed at conquering generational poverty, illiteracy
Muncie, IN – United Way of Delaware County (UWDC) announced its 2017 Campaign Leadership Team today, assembled to address the goal of conquering generational poverty in Muncie and Delaware County. Led by third-generation Chair Casey Stanley, the team will run a campaign that will ultimately support 29 local programs provided by 26 partner organizations aimed at collectively reducing youth illiteracy, with a specific target of bringing all third graders up to Indiana state reading standards by 2024.
The team is comprised of 26 business and community leaders, nonprofit members, and engaged advocates who will work together to volunteer thousands of hours in support of United Way’s impactful work in the Delaware County community. It includes the following members:
Casey Stanley, Vice President of Product and Marketing, Ontario Systems
Lori Luther, Chief Financial Officer, Indiana University Ball Memorial Health
Scott Smalstig, Vice President, Fund Development, Meridian Services
Juli Metzger, Journalism Instructor, Ball State University and owner of The JMetzger Group
Mike Lunsford, President and CEO, Coldwell Banker Lunsford
Brad King, Planner 1, City of Muncie, Indiana
Wil Davis, President, Ball State Innovation Corporation
Chris Caldwell, Sr. Vice President, Manager of Commercial and Business Banking, MutualBank
Jennifer Bott, Dean, Miller College of Business, Ball State University
Phil Repp, Dean, College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University
Lisa Ellis, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Ontario Systems
WaTasha Barnes Griffin, Executive Director, YWCA of Muncie
Steve Lindell, Vice President and Director of Operations, Woofboom Radio
Jason Delk, Partner, Delk McNally LLP
Jim Williams, Owner, Defur Voran
David Heeter, CEO, MutualBank
Steve Slavin, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Lunsford
Richard Crist, COO, Whitinger & Company LLC
Scot Laudicina, Sales Executive
Leland Wilhoite, Owner, Leland C. Wilhoite DDS, PC
Sean Hale, Partner/President HeidiJHale Designs LLC, Olive & Slate LLC
Brian Shrieve, Owner & Operator, Amber’s Beauty School
Charles Sursa, Senior Vice President, Investment, Raymond James
Jennifer Stanley, Stylist, Cabi Clothing
Wynde Ashman, Optometrist, Family Vision Care
Jason Webber, Assistant Director of MBA and Certificate Programs, Ball State University
“Each year, United Way of Delaware County’s fundraising campaign is our community’s most important, and the numbers prove it,” Stanley said. “Since 1925, the Delaware County community has given more than $275 million, in today’s dollars, to provide a lifeline to its neighbors in need. For families fighting to keep their heads above water—and make better lives for their children—high-quality childcare and preventative healthcare may seem like costly services that are far out of reach. With help from donors and our 29 locally funded programs, these families will be provided with the resources they need to ensure rich learning environments, daily meals, and adequate healthcare for themselves and their children.”
According to UWDC, 47 percent of households in the county are either living in poverty or are one unplanned financial event away from it. This year’s campaign will provide a wide variety of resources to those working families. By providing children with the early education opportunities they need, UWDC will develop future economic growth and a strong workforce for their community.
“This year, we will raise money to help Delaware County stand up and remove barriers that lead to generational poverty,” said Chris Caldwell, Senior Vice President at Mutual Bank and Chairman of the Board of United Way of Delaware County. “Campaign contributions are strategically invested in programs that help end that cycle while efficiently utilizing our resources.”
“Our community’s future is at stake, but we have a way forward,” concludes Jenni Marsh, CEO of United Way of Delaware County. “I am grateful to our community leaders using their time and talents to help us combat barriers contributing to generational poverty. We have a plan that empowers us to Live United in working toward a prosperous future for Delaware County. To tackle something so big and important, we need our entire community’s support to help our children, and their families in need. These working families face obstacles in reaching health, education, and financial stability. They need access to additional resources. Therefore, we need your help.”
For more information on United Way of Delaware County’s campaign to end generational poverty, visit InvitedToLiveUnited.org/campaign.
About United Way of Delaware County
United Way of Delaware County, Indiana engages the community to improve lives by focusing resources on education, health, and financial stability. The nonprofit fights to create lasting change in community conditions. As the sponsoring organization for the community’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, United Way works to help children read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year. It is during this critical time that children transition from learning how to read, into readers who learn from what they have read. United Way strategically invests in local programs that provide services that contribute to children’s success with reading and ultimately aim to end generational poverty in Delaware County. Learn more at www.InvitedToLiveUnited.org.
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