8 minute read
United Way of Greater Lafayette celebrates 100 years, one mission
BY BRAD OPPENHEIM
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE PETKOV & PROVIDED
The United Way of Greater Lafayette is committed to positively changing the lives of community members from all walks of life, and this year the social impact organization is celebrating an exciting milestone here locally – 100 years of service.
With a goal of ensuring that everyone in the community succeeds, UWGL enables people to help one another, leading them to discover and pursue their personal paths to success from cradle to career. The organization is part of a network of 1,200 United Ways spread throughout 41 countries and territories.
“We help those in need in our community move from crisis to stability and self-sufficiency,” says UWGL Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Million. “We do this through being a crucial community fundraiser developing new programs where we see a need, and convening community leaders to solve community issues.”
In Greater Lafayette, the first community campaign was formed here in 1923 by a group of residents who banded together with a mission in mind: supporting their fellow community members.
Fast forward throughout the past century, UWGL has had a name change, has funded new partners, and has shifted its business focus from a fundraising organization to a community change agent.
“Since our first community campaign that raised $23,000 and supported nine local agencies, the United Way of Greater Lafayette has raised and invested more than $183 million,” Million says. “Today, our community campaign has grown to support 25+ non-profit organizations with over 8,000 donors supporting annually.”
Million says UWGL also has extended its services beyond Tippecanoe County to include Montgomery, Carroll and Benton counties. Among its in-house programs are Read to Succeed, which helps improve literary skills in students in K-5 classrooms; Kindergarten Countdown Camp, which provides kindergarten readiness; and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, which helps provide financial stability.
But the UWGL wouldn’t be what it is today without help from its volunteers. According to Million, UWGL is built on volunteers with more than 600 community members that connect through volunteer engagement annually.
“United Way is a volunteer-driven organization. Our board of directors, committees and programs are run by volunteers,” Million says. In addition to volunteers, United Way also partners with companies, government agencies, non-profits and other organizations to address challenges.
As the organization celebrates a successful century of service, the momentum has not slowed down. United Way already is looking to the future, marking the beginning of its next century of service with a campaign appropriately named “The Next 100 Starts Now!”
“We kicked off the celebration by hosting a signature 100th Anniversary Gala in April with a 1920s theme,” Million says. “We have unveiled several videos throughout the year to highlight the impact we’ve had over the last 100 years.” UWGL also has rolled out the United Way of Greater Lafayette Century Club. Requirements to become a Century Club member include making a first-time donation of $100 or more or by increasing your donation by $100 or more over the past year. As an incentive to join the Century Club, several local businesses have extended special discounts to its members.
Kris Kessler is the 2023 campaign chair and has been a volunteer for more than a decade. He says there is a sense of accomplishment as UWGL achieves goals for the campaign.
“I consider it a tremendous privilege to be in this long line of volunteers to help contribute to the legacy that United Way has in our community, Kessler says. “As a team, we are able to improve the trajectory of our community for future generations to come.”
Kessler says the Greater Lafayette community has done so much for his family over the years, and volunteering seemed like a wonderful way to give back to the underserved in the community.
“It has been an incredible amount of fun working alongside so many people and making connections to help fund our partner agencies while strengthening our United Way’s in-house services,” Kessler says. “There have been leaders in our community that have given so much of their time, talents and treasure and have left a steadfast platform that we stand on today. It is an honor to serve next to many who are continuing to build this platform, and we hope to continue to build it and set the next generation up for success.”
Looking ahead to the next 100 years, Million says the United Way will continue its efforts in enabling people to help one another throughout Greater Lafayette. “We will provide leadership in defining community needs and in coordinating resources to address community issues,” Million says. “We want to continue to be responsive to growing community needs and make Greater Lafayette a better place to call home for everyone. There is so much work to be done in our community to continue to build on the foundation of the last 100 years.”
Our community is growing, says Kessler. “Jobs, careers and a family-oriented community have enticed that growth. Along with that growth comes growing needs of the souls in our community.”
Kessler hopes to increase the awareness of what UWGL is doing for two reasons: First, leading people to become inspired to make a personal contribution, whether that be making a monetary donation or volunteering their time; and second, making community members aware that they can turn to the UWGL during times of need.
“It is paramount that our social blanket is healthy to cover the increasing needs of our community, not only for the immediate needs, but for the needs of the future,” Kessler says.
“As our community continues to grow, the needs in our community will also continue to grow,” Million says. “United Way of Greater Lafayette has an important role to play. In addition to raising more resources to support the most vulnerable in our community, we are working to raise awareness and bring our community together to find solutions around some of our toughest challenges.”
Kessler says, “I believe we can spread love and kindness by our actions and leading by example as an organization and as individuals in our community; to show people that if you are in Greater Lafayette, you are in a community that embraces you and will care for you when you need it in time of need. Wherever your heart is, we have a place to put your passion into action.” ★
Learn more:
If you’re interested in serving on a United Way committee, volunteering with one of the programs, or your company is interested in running a workplace campaign or special fundraising campaign, email unitedway@uwlafayette.org or call 765-742-9077.
For those looking to lend a helping hand, Million says getting involved is easy. You can make a monetary donation at uwlafayette.org/donate. For more information about the Century Club and the benefits that come along with it, visit uwlafayette.org/centuryclub.
Million says each year UWGL highlights someone who has been positively impacted by United Way and the funded partners. You can find a collection of testimonials from individuals who have had life changing experiences at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiH4udsxac2FI_gWjtuE-A6pXb7ML33bG.
