Author: Marketing Department

Greta McGuire Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign.

How long and in what ways have you been involved with United Way of Lake County?

I believe I joined Women United in September 2017. In my first year, I volunteered to participate in and support Women United’s Power of the Purse event and it was incredible! It’s such an extraordinarily complex event that is brilliantly managed by a group of women who seem to create miracles! They get so many companies and individuals to contribute; whether it’s donating goods, money, or time. I understood, after having volunteered in that event, why Power of the Purse is Women United’s flagship event. It takes such an incredible amount of time, dedication, and effort to pull it all together. I recommend volunteering to assist with Power of the Purse to any new member! It will help you understand the dedication and passion of the women in this group.

After volunteering in that event, I got involved in Women United’s Marketing committee. It’s a very small committee and we meet whenever we can, but we’re all very busy so we don’t meet often. We’ve made some progress with the marketing elements of the group and it’s been great!

If I could identify one thing I would like to change moving forward is that I would love to spend more time participating in Women United’s volunteer opportunities, events and more! It can be challenging because, in addition to working full time, I’m also pursuing a degree at Northwestern so my time is in short supply but whatever available time I do have I’m very happy to be able to donate it to Women United’s marketing effort.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

It was a series of coincidences among a couple of people that invariably let to me attending one of Women United’s quarterly meetings, which just so happened to be held at my workplace. It was so convenient and I just had to check it out. It was like me becoming a member was meant to be!

What aspects of Women United do you connect most with and why?

In the past, I’ve worried about getting involved with a group like Women United because I thought if I commit to them and I fail on my commitment, then that will equate to failing to contribute. But the group is understanding and is so accommodating to their member’s busy lives. Women United’s guilt-free membership is extraordinary to me. Being able to contribute as much as I can, whenever I can, is really beneficial to me.

I also believe so deeply in making a difference for children. I feel my own passion resides with making a difference for children because, as so much research has shown, when you actually enable a human being during their developmental years, that makes a tremendous difference in their lives down the road. I feel a strong connection to helping children form the right habits and get the right education early in life because the payoff is so huge down the line.

Women United is such a wonderful group. I can’t speak highly enough about it. All the committees within Women United work together beautifully. They have divided up the areas that require attention in such a way that if you’re the type of person who is really into community outreach, there’s a committee for you. If you’re the type of person who can only donate hours after work, there’s a committee for you. There are things that you can do. They do such a nice job of creating a good fit depending on where your interests, talents and time reside.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

Women United focuses their time and efforts on early childhood development in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities. I really resonate with their mission and love to see the impact the group is making. I see early childhood development as one of the most critical areas where we, as a society, can make a big difference. Having meaningful, caring interventions with children can shape their impression of the world and, in turn, can help them become wonderful members of the community. You can’t understate the value of that type of effort because it stays with a child throughout his or her life.

What does education mean to you?

I did not follow a traditional educational path in my life. The normal path is you graduate from high school then you go to college immediately but, while I was in college, my mom had stage 4 breast cancer so I ended up leaving to take care of her and my younger brother and sister. After I left, I entered the workforce so I could help support the family, but I was greatly limited in my opportunities for work. I was able to get an entry level job in the marketing area but not having a college degree limited my options. I finally went back to school to get my undergraduate degree when I was about 30 and then went on to get a master’s degree in Communications from Northwestern. Now I’m back pursuing another master’s degree.

Education, for me, is kind of the key that unlocks so much potential. Not just for career opportunities, but it unlocks potential within. The internal journey that someone takes when he or she is exposed to education is extraordinary and you can’t put a dollar value on it. From personal experience, when I’ve been away from education, that impacted my life adversely, and when I got back into learning, it opened doors and improved me as a human being.

I think it’s because of that personal experience that I feel so passionate and dedicated to education and to children. I don’t have children myself, but my two 3-year-old nephews are my world! I’m putting away money for them now so that their lives are well supported by education.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Joseph Schaffer Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign.

What high school do you currently attend?

Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa. I’m a Junior.

How long and in what ways have you been involved with United Way of Lake County?

This past summer was my first time getting involved with United Way. I volunteered for three weeks at a Kindergarten Countdown Camp in Round Lake and it went really well.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I really wanted to help out more in my community. United Way was one of the easiest ways I could find some volunteering to do and give back to my community.

What aspect of United Way’s work do you connect with most?

One part of United Way that I really enjoy is how they help give back to the people that are less fortunate than I.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

I think it’s important to support their mission because they do a lot of good and they help out the less fortunate in my community. Supporting United Way would in turn support the members of your community⁠—all of them.

What does education mean to you?

Education is one of the most important things a person can have. Without education, most people are unable to get jobs, which raises the poverty level. Education is what helps get people out of that situation. It is one of the best things a person can have.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Felicia Johnson Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign.

How long and in what ways have you been involved with United Way of Lake County?

My company, UCC Environmental, headquartered in Lake County, has been supporting United Way Lake County for years. I love the UWLC annual fall fundraising drive held in our office every fall. This summer I received an email for the Stuff the Bus campaign. It was such a fabulous idea. So I asked my co-workers to join me, and I think we did a pretty good job of getting some backpacks and school supplies for grade school students to begin their school year.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

My dad. He inspired me to get involved with education and teach children to read. He told me after 9/11 that most of the world’s misunderstandings were caused by ignorance due to lack of education. Then he challenged me to do something about it. I taught ESL for 2 years at OMNI Youth Services in Mundelein. It was a challenge because I don’t speak Spanish! Getting involved with UWLC was just a natural next step.

What aspect of United Way’s work do you connect with most and why?

United Way has great programs to promote education, so it fits like a glove with my passion for helping children learn to read, stay connected with their schooling, and enjoy their educational experience. United Way has a proven track record and tremendous success.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

Success in life is directly related to success in school. Children need opportunities to see, feel, and experience success. It is good for them and it is good for all of us to see children grow, learn, and become great.

What does education mean to you?

Education is both the key and the ticket to our future. Not just for our children’s future, but ours too. Today’s youngsters will become tomorrow’s adults. I hope we can prepare them, and help them to be comfortable and up to the challenges they will face.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Tom Boyle Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign.

How long and in what ways have you been involved with United Way of Lake County?

I have donated annually to United Way for close to 30 years through employee contribution plans. In addition, I’ve occasionally participated in larger volunteer projects, such as building playgrounds or painting, through my employer. Last year I started volunteering through the Reading Success program at local elementary schools. You really feel like you’re part of the organization and the school ⁠— it’s very rewarding.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

First, United Way has many options for volunteers to get involved so there’s something for everyone. Second, the programs are well-organized and for some programs, at least the ones I was in, training was provided so you feel really well prepared before you start the volunteer program. Lastly, United Way has a genuine focus on the communities that have needs and the programs that make a difference. I was most interested in serving the communities that I worked in.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

For me, it was the Reading Success program. It’s a program that allows me to directly contribute to the success of the students. When I arrived at the school, I was able to say hello to the office staff. They always made me feel welcomed, like I was part of the team that was helping the community and that specific school. It was a great experience.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

That’s a great question! I think it’s important to support United Way’s mission because there are many individuals and groups who need additional support and I believe United Way does a great job at identifying and meeting those needs across many areas in Lake County. I also think the programs are really well targeted and well thought out. They seem to have a plan to them. They seem to have a focus that makes sense for that community. There’s a strategy to it for where they want to put their focus.

What does education mean to you?

I view education as the single most important element of our society and any society, whether it’s modern society or developing areas of the world. It’s the foundation of everything good that happens. Relationships, empathy, economic success, and personal advancement… It’s the foundation of culture in society.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Marina McCawley Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign.

How long and in what ways have you been involved with United Way of Lake County?

I first learned of United Way of Lake County when my company participated in their employee giving campaign. I now coordinate my company’s employee giving campaign and have done so for over 10 years. I also coordinate other company fundraisers with some of their agencies throughout the year.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I had always wanted to volunteer more in my community, but it was difficult to do while raising 3 children. I am now in a different stage in my life and my children are grown up so I have more free time. I attended a Women United Wine & Learn event where I met like-minded women and felt that Women United’s mission to help children was exactly what I wanted to do. I love that we are helping children in our high-risk communities.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

United Way of Lake County’s Success By 6 program offers home visiting for high-risk children. It is so important to help these children before they enter school so they have a better chance at succeeding in school and life.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

Before I attended my company’s giving campaign, I didn’t know what United Way of Lake County was or what they did. I feel it’s important to be a United Way of Lake County advocate and share their message with families in our community who need their services.

What does education mean to you?

I wasn’t one of the lucky children who attended preschool. My parents loved me but they didn’t speak English and they worked so much that they didn’t have time to read to me. So, yes, I was one of those statistics. I struggled and was behind when I started kindergarten. We now have these great programs to educate children so that no child will feel lost on their first day of school.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Bill Pappano Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

How long and in what ways have you been involved with United Way of Lake County?

My wife has worked at United Way of Lake County for more than 10 years. We have supported United Way’s mission through our giving and, as an AbbVie employee, I have also participated in United Way’s community volunteer opportunities.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way?

I am inspired to give because of the stories of families in need in our community. I remember hearing stories about young elementary students showing up to school in the middle of winter without any socks or boots.

What aspect of United Way’s work do you connect with most and why?

We have two children in elementary school who have grown up in a house that is overflowing with books. It is hard to imagine that there are children within miles of where we live who do not have any children’s books in their home.

Why do you think it’s important to support United Way’s mission?

I know the advantage that an education gives a child in life. President Obama once said, “A child’s course in life should be determined not by the zip code she’s born in, but by the strength of her work ethic and the scope of her dreams.” I appreciate the work United Way does to give every child a chance to succeed and achieve their dreams.

What does education mean to you?

Education is power. Education gives us the power to think critically. Education is the fuel that enables us to reach our full potential. Education gives us power to make a difference in our life and in the lives of others.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.