Premier Leaders Event Raises $264K for Our Education Programs and 211
On June 4, Lake County civic and business leaders gathered for our 11th annual Premier Leaders Event at the charming Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest. Attendees mingled while enjoying food and cocktails, learned about our work and plans to increase programming, and then raised their paddles in support of our programs.
We are thrilled to share that we surpassed our fundraising goal and netted $264K for our education programs and 211! We are grateful for the generous support we received from so many individuals as well as our sponsors. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Premier Leaders Event a great success!
View photos from the event below.
Donate School Supplies to Local Students
Lake County students are now out of school and enjoying their summer break. Even so, stores will soon be advertising back-to-school supplies for the fall. For families struggling to meet basic needs like food and shelter, school supplies become extras, not essentials. Without access to these supplies, children start the school year at a disadvantage.
But together, we can make a difference!
Join our Stuff the Bus supply drive! You can donate school supplies, or make a monetary donation, to help ensure every student goes back to school with the supplies they need. Now through August 15, you can contribute as an individual or your company/organization can team up to make a difference!
Volunteer with United Way This Summer
We have a variety of in-person and remote volunteer opportunities that individuals and organizations would find fun and fulfilling. We hope you’ll get involved! Check out the opportunities on our website.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom
Juneteenth is a day of reflection, celebration, and action. We honor the struggles and triumphs of the past while recognizing the work that still lies ahead. At United Way, we are dedicated to promoting equity, justice, and community empowerment.
Celebrating Pride in Lake County
Pride Month is not just a celebration; it is a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and acceptance for all. At United Way, we believe in creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
On June 8, we had the pleasure of sponsoring and participating in the LGBTQ+ Center’s PrideFest in Round Lake Beach, alongside many of our community partners.
Annual Meeting and Board Member Update
We were proud to hold our Annual Meeting at the National Museum of the American Sailor, where we highlighted our fiscal year 2024 impact, welcomed new board members, and thanked outgoing board members for their service. We’re grateful to Capt. Steve Yargosz, Commanding Officer at Naval Station Great Lakes, for hosting us and sharing the fascinating history of the base and what it means to serve.
We welcomed the following new members to our Board of Directors:
Jeff Babinski, American Place Casino
Maggie Dudzinska, Dickson
Antonio Garcia, Lake County Workforce Development
Jamie Epstein, Community Volunteer
Michael Karner, PhD, Regional Office of Education
Patrice Maloney-Knauff, Women United’s Global Leadership Council
Yeshwant Sanzgiri, AbbVie – Retired
Oscar Zepeda, Puro Fútbol News
A special thank you to outgoing board members, Clarence Berry, Steve Carlson, Dru Garcia, Demar Harris, Sandi Johnson, Mark Schweitzer, and Carl Skoog, for their dedicated service.
Read Our 2023 Annual Report
United Way of Lake County is pleased to share our fiscal year 2023 Annual Report. Flip through to see the collective impact you help make possible.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, corporate and community partner who helps us build a stronger Lake County community!
Now Hiring: Women United Coordinator
The Women United Coordinator develops and enhances relationships with donors, deepens donor relationships by supporting volunteer events, meetings and activities, partners with donors to raise funds, and provides value to Women United’s community impact initiatives.
On June 10, we had the pleasure of sponsoring and participating in the LGBTQ+ Center’s PrideFest in Round Lake Beach, alongside many of our community partners. On June 17, we also had the opportunity to join in Waukegan’s Pride Drive, hosted by Waukegan Friends.
While celebrating progress, we understand how far we still have to go. Across the country, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face challenges, inequities and discrimination. If you are someone whom an LGBTQ+ person trusts with their whole selves, your encouragement matters and your love makes a difference.
Celebrating Freedom on Juneteenth
United Way of Lake County gathered with the community on Saturday at the Juneteenth Festival of Lake County. Our staff and Board members participated in the Black Expo to share education opportunities and a wide range of health resources, financial assistance, employment services and more available through 211.
In celebration of Juneteenth, we honor the present and reflect on our shared history and tradition. Together, we are building a brighter, equitable future for everyone in our community to thrive.
Painting a Brighter Future
Volunteers from Great Lakes Credit Union and Snap-on Credit joined us this month to paint and revitalize the Early Learning Trails at two elementary schools in Waukegan.
Early Learning Trails are publicly accessible outdoor learning games designed to develop children’s academic readiness and encourage active movement and play. The brightly painted trails marked by numbers, letters and shapes help children develop social, cognitive, and kinesthetic skills in a fun and safe space.
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and generous partners, children in Lake County have access to dozens of these trails. View our list of Early Learning Trail and Sensory Path locations around Lake County by clicking below.
Register for Kindergarten Countdown Camp in Zion
Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) is our free summer learning program for students entering kindergarten this fall who have limited preschool experience. There are a few spots available for students in the Zion School District. KCC in Zion runs from July 10–20 (Monday–Thursday), 8:00 a.m.–Noon, and is located at Elmwood Elementary School.
Students who attend KCC will adjust to the classroom setting, practice following directions and rules, and practice key kindergarten skills. KCC is a great opportunity to get your child prepared to succeed in kindergarten.
This month we are spotlighting FedEx, a great partner of United Way of Lake County. Since 2017, FedEx employees have generously donated both their time and money to support our community. For example, just this month, an amazing group from FedEx sponsored and installed a new Sensory Path at Oak Crest School in Beach Park.
Sensory Paths are colorful and engaging pathways used by children to explore a variety of sensory experiences. These indoor paths are a great tool to help children develop motor skills, self-regulation, balance, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness in a playful, safe space.
The group went above and beyond by bringing in the fantastic vendor, School Specialty, who generously donated another Sensory Path at Kenneth Murphy School in Beach Park, which FedEx installed this month as well. This collaboration has genuinely touched our hearts and will have a lasting impact on the students there.
Thank you, FedEx, for partnering with us to strengthen our Lake County community for all who live and work here. If you want to join FedEx and other companies to create a successful workplace campaign or volunteer opportunity, please reach out.
Help Us Stuff the Bus!
Each year, kids across Lake County go back to school lacking the supplies needed to succeed in school. The price for essential supplies is increasing and many families struggle to afford everything on their child’s school supply list.
But together, we can make a difference!
Join our Stuff the Bus community school supply drive! By providing students with new school supplies, you’ll be helping prepare them for their academic studies, build their self-esteem and set them up for success. This is a cause worth getting involved in and we hope you’ll take part!
Now through August 15, you can contribute as an individual or your company can team up to make a difference! You can donate school supplies, make an online donation, or help us spread the word.
UW Board Member and Women United Leader Selected for the WU Global Leadership Council
Patrice Maloney-Knauff, a long-time devoted board member for United Way Lake County and founding member and leader of Women United Lake County, has been elected to the Women United Global Leadership Council.
We are so appreciative and proud of Patrice for her committed service. She will serve as one of 14 members of the Council from across the U.S. and Canada, focusing on mobilizing the power of Women United to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local communities. Duties include providing strategic recommendations to United Way Worldwide and sharing effective practices throughout Women United.
Patrice’s initial term is for three years, which includes monthly meetings including two in person annually. She and our Manager of Donor Engagement and Women United, Jessica Ceisel, attended the first in-person session in Houston just last month. Congratulations and thank you, Patrice!
Announcing United Way of Lake County’s Core Values
As United Way of Lake County continues to grow, evolve and transform to best serve the changing environment and needs of our Lake County community, we recognize it’s important to redefine our organization’s core values and the commitments that help create our desired culture and guide our decision-making and actions.
UWLC’s core values represent our identity and reflect who we are and how we want to be recognized both internally and externally. They are the foundation upon which our culture continues to thrive and will help us achieve long-term success.
These core values define what’s important to us at UWLC:
IMPACT. We deliver measurable programs to build a strong, equitable community where everyone can thrive.
RESPECT. We lead with integrity and foster an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone feels appreciated, safe and heard.
COLLABORATION. We leverage the expertise and experience of our staff, volunteers and partners to achieve shared goals and multiply our impact.
INNOVATION. We cultivate an environment that encourages thoughtful, creative and inspirational actions that lead to effective solutions.
OPTIMISM. We are enthusiastic and positive about our work and celebrate our successes.
Our process for getting here was based on input from the entire organization, including board members, management team and staff, to not only articulate a set of core values but also any operational changes needed. We are so proud of what we do to help unite and strengthen our Lake County community and are incorporating these values into our daily lives to truly live by them.
This month we introduced our new Board Chair,
Joe Garnett, and thanked our previous Board Chair, Mark Schweitzer, for his leadership. We also welcomed J. Kevin Hunter, Lake County Board Member, to our Board of Directors, and Jesus Ruiz, Dean of Lakeshore Campus, College of Lake County, who has rejoined our board and we are delighted to have him back!
A special thank you to outgoing board members, Nancy Coolley, Monica Burmeister, Patrice Maloney-Knauff (pictured on the right), and Capt. Jason J. Williamson, for their dedicated service.
Flip Through Our 2022 Annual Report
United Way of Lake County is pleased to share our 2022 Annual Report. Flip through to see the collective impact you help make possible.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, corporate and community partner who helps us build a stronger Lake County community!
Women United Celebrates $1 Million Raised for Early Education
Women United announced that they will distribute $186,000 this year through their Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support nine critical early education programs. That means that Women United has also surpassed the $1 million milestone of money raised for early education in Lake County!
We are so proud of the work Women United does to help ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures of our community’s most vulnerable children.
Learn more about the 2022 Little Kids, Big Futures fund grantees:
Help Us Stuff the Bus!
Each year, kids across Lake County go back to school lacking the necessary supplies needed to thrive in school. The price for essential supplies is increasing and many low-income families struggle to afford everything on their child’s school supply list.
But together, we can make a difference!
Join our Stuff the Bus donation drive! By providing students with new school supplies, you’ll be helping prepare them for their academic studies, build their self-esteem and set them up for success. This is a cause worth getting involved in and we hope you’ll take part!
Now through July 7, you can contribute as an individual or your company can team up to make a difference! You can donate school supplies, make an online donation, or help us spread the word.
Play A-Round for Lake County Kids
Join Women United for their co-ed golf fundraiser “Play A-Round for Lake County Kids” on Monday, July 11 at White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills. This shotgun scramble golf fundraiser will support early childhood education in Lake County through Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures Fund.
Last year’s golf outing was such a success, we can’t wait to welcome back our steadfast supporters and meet new friends for another fun day of great golf, food, competition and prizes at one of Lake County’s favorite courses.
Golf event tickets are $175 per person and include an on-course lunch and a buffet dinner. Golfers will register in twosomes or foursomes. Additional event details can be found on the registration page. Don’t golf? Join us for dinner! Tickets are $50.
Thank you, Monica!
UWLC Board Member, Monica Burmeister, has served as Chair of the Finance & Administration Committee since 2010. As chair, she worked with the committee to develop a Finance Committee Charter and recruited high-level volunteers with expertise in finance, accounting, and overall business management. Under her leadership, United Way has strengthened its financial position and has been in exceptional financial health earning a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Thank you for your extraordinary work and leadership, Monica!
Flip Through Our 2021 Annual Report
United Way of Lake County is excited to share our 2021 Annual Report. Flip through to see the collective impact you help make possible.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, corporate and community partner who helps us build a stronger Lake County community!
Partner Spotlight: College of Lake County
This month we’re shining a spotlight on College of Lake County (CLC). CLC is a public community college whose primary campus is located in Grayslake and other two campuses are in Vernon Hills and Waukegan.
UWLC has been partnering with CLC since 1994. We currently have two CLC leaders on our Board, Dr. Lori Suddick, CLC President, and Jesus Ruiz, Dean of the Lakeshore Campus. CLC staff have supported UWLC through giving campaigns, participated in volunteer events, such as creating hygiene kits for students experiencing home displacement, and they’ve also been a great partner in spreading the word about 211 through staff training and ongoing promotion to students.
We asked longtime supporter, Sue Fay, Executive Director of Human Resources at CLC, why she has chosen to support UWLC. “I am pleased to support United Way of Lake County through its partnership with College of Lake County. We share a focus on providing holistic support to the communities that we serve. Through United Way’s 211 helpline, the 24/7 access to information and referral services has and will continue to have a transformative impact on our students, employees and their families.”
Thank you, CLC, for your loyal support and for being an important part of the work we do to transform lives right here in Lake County.
Lake County’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund
We recently announced that $84,345 has been awarded in the ninth and final round of Lake County COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund grants to eight local nonprofits. This grant cycle focused on summer programs for children up to age thirteen that address learning loss through academics or enrichment programming and include activities or services that address children’s social-emotional needs due to the impact of the pandemic.
Since the fund was launched on March 20, 2020, a total of $1,201,662 has been raised and granted back into the community to 51 nonprofits so they could continue their work serving individuals and families most impacted by the pandemic. This ninth and final distribution leaves the fund at a zero balance,
ending the funding process.
Thank you to the hundreds of individuals and organizations who donated to the fund! United Way of Lake County remains committed to uniting leadership and resources to build a stronger, equitable community where everyone can thrive.
Celebrating Pride in Lake County
On June 4, we had the pleasure of sponsoring and participating in the LGBTQ+ Center’s PrideFest in Waukegan, alongside many of our community partners. That same day, we also had the opportunity to join in Waukegan’s Pride Drive, hosted by Waukegan Friends.
While celebrating progress, we understand how far we still have to go. Across the country, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face challenges, inequities and discrimination. If you are someone whom an LGBTQ+ person trusts with their whole selves, your encouragement matters and your love makes a difference.
UWLC Commemorates Juneteenth
United Way of Lake County gathered with the community on Saturday at the Juneteenth Festival of Lake County. Our staff and Board members participated in the Black Expo to share education opportunities and a wide range of health resources, financial assistance, employment services and more available through 211.
In celebration of Juneteenth, we honor the present and reflect on our shared history and tradition. Together, we are building a brighter, equitable future for all our children and families to thrive.
Introducing New Team Members
We recently welcomed two new people to our United Way family; Katie Martinez joined as our Donor Relations Specialist and Taylor Bellson joined as an Account Manager.
Learn more about Katie and Taylor’s roles, what they like to do in their free time, and how they connect with our programs by clicking their names below.
