United Way of Lake County

26 Apr

Super Volunteers 2018

During National Volunteer Week (April 15-21), United Way of Lake County recognized four #SUPERvolunteers that have selflessly dedicated their time to furthering our mission of creating lasting change in Lake County. Keep reading to meet each of our SUPER Volunteers and learn about their connection with United Way.

OUTSTANDING LONG-TERM VOLUNTEER: MARK ANDERSON

Photo: (Right to left) Mark Anderson, Mark’s current Reading Success student, and Ms. Chang.

Mark Anderson, Ph.D scientist in Oncology at Abbvie, has been volunteering with United Way of Lake County as a Reading Success tutor since 2011. For the last seven years, Mark has been tutoring at North Elementary in Waukegan and the majority of those years have been in Ms. Chang’s classroom.

Mark understands the need in Lake County and, through the Abbott/AbbVie volunteer portal, found the United Way Reading Success opportunity. The impact he makes and the progress he sees with the students he tutors brings him back each year. Mark identifies with United Way of Lake County’s mission that our community becomes stronger when everyone works together.

Watch Mark accept his Outstanding Long-Term Volunteer award:

“I think [reading] is something that can have a strong impact early on in children’s education.”
– Mark Anderson, on why he likes to volunteer around the issue of reading.

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER: STEVE CARLSON

Steve Carlson is District 7 Commissioner for the Lake County Board. He has volunteered with United Way of Lake County since 2012 as a Board Member for the Lake County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) where he has helped to review local needs and allocate funding to high capacity agencies proven to align with local efforts to prevent and decrease homelessness and hunger. Steve’s deep commitment to our community is showcased in his many volunteer roles throughout the county, including involvement with the Lake County Health and Community Services Committee, Lake County Forest Preserve, Lake County Board of Health, Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee, and many more.

Watch Steve accept his Outstanding Community Volunteer award:

In 2015, Steve became involved with United Way’s efforts to implement a 2-1-1 system in Lake County after learning about the initiative through his work with EFSP. He has been a determined advocate for 2-1-1 fighting for its implementation and helping to move the initiative forward. Steve has helped United Way to build widespread community support for a 2-1-1 system and has been responsible for bringing numerous community leaders to the table with both organizational and financial support. On behalf of the community, we thank Steve for his time and efforts to help implement 2-1-1!

Watch Steve discuss 2-1-1 with UWLC’s President and CEO, Kristi Long:

OUTSTANDING FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEER GROUP: WOMEN UNITED

Photo: Women United members volunteering at their newest H.U.G.S. partner, Baby Talk in Waukegan.

Women United of Lake County (WU) is comprised of nearly 100 women who dedicate their time, talent and resources to ensure Lake County’s most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. WU members are committed to growing their self-directed philanthropy fund, Little Kids, Big Futures, through special events including Power of the Purse, and growing their tribe of members. At least half of their membership donation of $1,000 or more goes back to the Little Kids, Big Futures Fund; so the more members, the more impact they are able to make.

Over the past 4 years, their fundraising efforts have been impressive. They have grown the Fund from $26,000 in 2014 to $132,000 in 2018, which is an average increase of 50% year over year and totals $369,000. As a result, between 2014 – 2017, they have funded 32,380 hours of preschool education for 376 low-income children in Lake County.

They look forward to adding to that impact after they make their grants decisions in early May. This powerful network of women is a true gift to United Way of Lake County and the children and families who benefit from their efforts.

Watch Patrice Maloney-Knauff, WU Chair, accept the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Group award on Women United’s behalf:

OUTSTANDING CORPORATE PARTNER: SNAP-ON CREDIT

Photo: Last June, Snap-On Credit employees spent their day repainting an early learning trail at Carman-Buckner Elementary School in Waukegan.

Snap-On employees have embraced our mission by generously donating both their time and money. They have supported our special events, acting as a sponsor for our Premier Leadership fundraising event since 2015. Snap-On also participates in volunteer engagement opportunities throughout the year. Thank you for being a wonderful partner and a leader in the community!

Watch Joe Burger, President of Snap-On Credit, accept the Outstanding Corporate Partner award on the company’s behalf:

18 Sep

United Way Days Recap: August – September 2017

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News

Summer is coming to an end, but that hasn’t stopped the following companies from volunteering their time revitalizing school grounds, supporting local organizations and making the community a cleaner environment. We would like to thank and recognize these companies for encouraging their employees to take time out of their workday to create lasting change in Lake County on our United Way Days recap blog! #VolunteersInAction

O.C. Tanner

On August 14, a group of employees from O.C. Tanner and their families spent the day creating an Early Learning Trail for students at West Elementary School in Zion.

Baxter International – Finance Volunteer Week

To start off Baxter’s volunteer week on August 14, a group of employees went to the Native Seed Nursery at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve to collect native seeds and assist with weeding seed beds. The seeds that the group collected will be used to restore preserves across Lake County.

A group of Baxter employees spent the afternoon at Captain James A. Lovell Jr. Federal Health Care Center – VA in North Chicago. There the volunteers helped organize games such as Bingo for nursing home veterans on August 14.

On August 15, a group of Baxter employees spent the morning with NorthPointe Resources to help add beauty to a group home where people with disabilities live. Volunteers helped with the general yard work clean-up such as weeding, trimming, and spreading mulch.

Early afternoon on August 15, a group of Baxter employees volunteered to help the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Park City with sorting, labeling and packing items such as frozen meat, oatmeal, produce and more!

A group of Baxter employees went to the south unit of the State Beach Park to assist with a beach cleanup on August 16.

On August 17, another group of Baxter employees volunteered at Northern Illinois Food Bank in Park City. The efforts that the volunteers do will help NIFB to be able to distribute the product to their network partners.

To end Baxter’s volunteer week, a group of employees went to A Safe Place, an emergency shelter, on August 18. Volunteers helped clean and throw out unused items, and also created a more welcoming environment to serve their clients.

On August 21, a group of United Way of Lake County employees put on their LIVE UNITED t-shirts and served as volunteers at the welcome back picnic for the Waukegan Public School District teachers and staff that was held at the Waukegan High School – Washington Campus. They were also joined by volunteers from the Navy and the community.

United Way of Lake County employees served as bilingual volunteers for Catholic Charities’ Christmas Gift Program. The volunteers helped with the intake process and translated the Christmas wishes for the families. The program provides gifts to needy families, children and seniors throughout Lake County by matching the needs of the disadvantaged with individual donors, churches, corporate donors, schools and other donor groups.

Hollister Incorporated

A group of Hollister employees spent their afternoon at Captain James A. Lovell Jr. Federal Health Care Center – VA to help organize Bingo for nursing home veterans on August 24.

ITW – Buehler

On September 14, ITW-Buehler employees volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Park City to help organize packaged goods to be sent out to the organization’s network partners.

Tag: Volunteer Week